Newcastle’s sluggish start to the NRL season continued on Friday night, with the Knights bumbling their way to a 24-10 loss to Brisbane at Hunter Stadium.
Both sides will be ruing their shocking lack of respect for the ball, with a whopping 25 mistakes between the two sides lending itself to a low-quality contest.
Crucially for Brisbane, many of their errors came as they were in the process of crossing the tryline – they bombed three first-half tries, and spilled the ball within sight of the Knights tryline countless times.
But it didn’t matter as Newcastle, who have despite a much-hyped pre-season lost two of their opening three matches, never fired enough shots to make Brisbane pay for their sloppy ball control.
Newcastle winger James McManus looked to have turned the game on its head in the 55th minute when he latched onto a Corey Norman cross-field kick, before streaking 99 metres downfield to score and bring the Knights to within two points at 12-10.
But a simple backline play orchestrated by Norman nine minutes later, which resulted in an unconverted try to Brisbane winger Gerard Beale, gave Brisbane a six-point lead before a blockbusting try to forward Matt Gillett put the match beyond doubt with 10 minutes to go.
The Broncos dominated the first half but were only able to open up an eight-point buffer, with converted tries to Justin Hodges and Alex Glenn outweighing Akuila Uate’s solo effort for the Knights.
Hodges’ effort, his first of the year, was particularly classy from the powerful Queensland and Australian representative.
The silky centre glided past the normally reliable Matt Hilder, who missed nine tackles, to run 40 metres and cross down next to the posts.
Newcastle centre Wes Naiqama played just 23 minutes before succumbing to a knee injury, while both Jarrod Mullen and Uate both picked up injuries in the first half but were able to finish the game.
The Knights are already without captain Kurt Gidley, who will miss between three and five weeks with a dislocated shoulder injury, and can ill afford any more injuries ahead of a tough away fixture against Canterbury next week.
Gaz
Guest
Yes you would expect the handling to be a tad better after two games under their belts. Both teams were guilty of poor hands but at least the Broncs appeared to be enthusiastic but the Knights just seemed to be going through their paces and didn't really want to be there. If either side were up against the Storm or Manly and made those mistakes it would be a cricket score. -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.
Peter
Roar Rookie
I agree with oikee "i did not ezxpect to much this year", you haven't been disappointed then. Brisbane played like crap, the only thing was that the Knights played worse ... much worse. I have been a Knight's supporter, since they entered the NRL, having been born in Newcastle. I can't blaim the coach and I can't blaim the players (understrength team), what I can blaim is the stupid ball handling skills. If you can see this Wayne ... get them to catch and throw swords or spears or such. Surely they won't drop them and hopefully they won't miss an innocent football or two. We weren't outplayed, we were simply stuffed from the get-go LOL Everyone else have a good weekend of RL :)
oikee
Guest
Good luck with that baller. I have to say that Benny has got his work cut out at Newcastle. 3 years might not be long enough. As for the Broncos, i did not ezxpect to much this year, so the way they are playing has surprised me abit. I am happy with the new half Norman, and the young guys have really stepped up this year. I was expecting a 3 year turnaround. Something i think Newcastle should expect. What have i learnt out of all this, ? your team is treading a very fine line, and needs all the support you can give thyem, win or lose. The Titans are now in this fine treading line. It is time the coast got out and drew a line in the sand. I did the same thing for the Broncos a couple of years ago, i think they had lost 4-5 in a row, so i got out and went to every game i could, gave the boys a lift.
baller
Guest
well....................hmmm..........................mmmm................................ahhh.......................................ummmm................................we got everything we deserved last night and probably deserved more. i will put my hand up and say we played shite - not much more to say really except we almost scored more injuries than points ............... back to the drawing board lets hope we can turn this shaky start around.