Match Report | Round 7 v Knights

Half-time: A strong showing from the Knights in the first half, with centre Fletcher Hunt scoring a hat-trick. The Roosters had all the early running, before the two sides went blow-for-blow with tries. But then Newcastle were able to turn up the heat, capitalising on some below-par defence in the middle of the field from the Roosters, with coach Trent Robinson no doubt wanting to see that tightened up. Newcastle lead 24-12. 

37th min: An almost spectacular try for Mark Nawaqanitawase - but his foot is just on the line and the Roosters are denied a try before the half-time break. Score remains 24-12 to the Knights. 

29th min: A first-half hat-trick for Fletcher Hunt, with a strong run from Francis Manuleleua setting up his fullback. Manuleleua, brought in to start for Thomas Cant for his second game, found it far too easy to burst through the middle of the field, but was glad to see Hunt in support who ran through. Smith converts and it's 24-12.  

26th min: Successful captain's challenge from Newcastle, with the Bunker finding that Angus Crichton from the Roosters was the player to knock on before Fletcher Sharpe as was originally adjudicated. 

21st min: Hunt has a first-half double, flying higher that the Roosters in the in-goal to bring down a Dylan Brown kick to score. A great effort from the Newcastle centre in traffic. Smith goes 3/3 and the score pushes out to 18-12. 

15th min: Tit-for-tat at the moment, with Trey Mooney steaming onto a Mat Croker pass and through a massive hole in the middle of the Roosters defence, running from 25 metres out to dive under the posts. Smith slots the conversion again and it's 12-12.

14th min: An almost instant reply from the Roosters, with Daniel Tupou going high to bring down a kick, offloading on his way down to the ground to Hugo Savala, playing centre, who catches the ball and runs it over for a try. Walker converts again to take the Roosters out to a 12-6 lead. 

10th min: The Knights strike back quickly, with Fletcher Hunt running through after the Roosters undid their good early work with an error, a penalty and a ruck infringement. Sandon Smith converts and it's 6-6.

3rd min: Early points to the Roosters with Siua Wong crashing over. A nice set from the home side, with plenty of passing, starting with a ball from Reece Robson to Daly Cherry-Evans who goes for a run before Wong eventually finishes it off. Sam Walker converts for a 6-0 lead. 

Kick-off: The home side the Roosters get us going with the first use of the ball. 

Roosters: The Roosters are 1-18 on game day, with Benaiah Ioelu dropping from the extended squad. Centre Billy Smith has fallen short in his bid to return from a knee injury suffered in Round 4 and dropped out of the reserves in Saturday's team update. 

Knights: Tom Cant comes out of the side in a late game day change, with Francis Manuleleua coming into the starting team in the back-row, with Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana taking his place on the six-man bench. Star recruit Dylan Brown remains on track to complete his comeback from a knee injury suffered in Round 2 and will line up in the No.7 jersey alongside five-eighth Sandon Smith. Brown's return will force Fletcher Sharpe to shift to fullback and Fletcher Hunt into the centres as coach Justin Holbrook continues to navigate the absence of Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best. Dylan Lucas was not named after he suffered a nasty throat injury, with Tyson Frizell (ribs) also unavailable. In the 24-hour update Tyson Gamble and James Schiller dropped out of the squad.

Eels v Bulldogs at CommBank Stadium

Late Mail

Eels: A late switch on game day with Dylan Walker dropping to the bench with Jack De Belin to start at lock. Earlier, Sean Russell will have to wait another week to make his return from a concussion and dropped out of the side in Saturday's 24-hour update. Araz Nanva comes into the centres as a result in the only change to the starting side. Lorenzo Talataina has been added to the six-man bench as a result of the change. Kelma Tuilagi and Sam Tuivaiti have both been ruled out due to head knocks. Jack Williams and Charlie Guymer are the new starting back-rowers, with debutant Saxon Pryke and Toni Mataele the new faces on the bench.

Bulldogs: Josh Curran has been named to return from a rib injury at centre in a game-day change. Enari Tuala drops out after being ruled out with a hamstring strain was suffered during captain's run. Lipoi Hopoi has been added to the six-player bench. Earlier, inspirational skipper Stephen Crichton has fallen short in his bid to make a shock early comeback from a shoulder injury suffered on Good Friday and dropped out of the squad in Saturday's 24-hour update. New recruit Leo Thompson is also set for his first game for the Bulldogs after recovering from a calf injury suffered in the pre-season.

Stat Attack

• The Eels have conceded 122 points in three straight losses at CommBank Stadium.
• The Bulldogs have won their last three games against the Eels.
• Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored 11 tries in his last eight games at CommBank Stadium.
• Bulldogs centre Enari Tuala has scored six tries in six games against the Eels.
• Eels centre Will Penisini has scored six tries in eight games against the Bulldogs.