The Newcastle Knights have struggled thus far under Wayne Bennett, but they have a chance to play themselves into form tonight when they face the struggling Penrith Panthers. Join us for live scores and commentary from 7.00pm AEST.
Newcastle has failed to live up to pre-season expectations so far this year and will need to beat the Panthers tonight to keep the critics at bay.
Heralded as a potential top four outfit at the start of the season, the Knights have already lost four matches this year and haven’t produced an eighty minute performance worthy of their status as premiership contenders.
In the lead-up to their match against Penrith, the Knights created headlines by signing former Test and Origin player Willie Mason, who will start from the bench for Newcastle.
Despite his experience, it remains to be seen if Mason can spark Newcastle to life, particularly upfront where the Knights have struggled to assert their dominance so far this season.
Penrith on the other hand have forgotten how to find the tryline. They have remained scoreless in their past two matches, suffering consecutive 30-nil defeats to the Sea Eagles and Tigers respectively.
Although they welcome back Michael Jennings from injury, the Panthers have struggled immensely to score points this season and look destined for another long year unless they can produce an upset of sorts tonight.
Prediction
As mentioned earlier, the Panthers are too one dimensional in attack and need to change things up when they have possession.
Although Luke Walsh remains the linchpin to everything Penrith do with the football, captain Luke Lewis is the key to sparking the Panthers to life.
Lewis is one of the most creative and damaging ball runners in the NRL and needs to get his hands on possession often if Penrith are a chance of causing the upset tonight.
Against the Tigers, Walsh and Lewis combined scarcely, but when they did, they caused the Tigers considerable heartache up the middle of the park.
If Lewis and Walsh can combine more often up the middle, there is a solid chance that Penrith will finally post points against a suspect Knights pack.
Newcastle meanwhile has a lot more variety in attack and should hurt the Panthers if their forwards are able to get on the front foot.
Although Jarred Mullen and Darius Boyd have experienced inconsistent starts to the season, a solid game from both these players should see the Knights post a convincing victory against the Panthers.
If Mullen and Boyd do fail to spark yet again however, the Knights can often lose their way in attack and pressure themselves into error.
Overall, the Knights simply have to beat Penrith tonight if they are to truly consider themselves a top eight side. Whilst it could be tight early on, Newcastle should have too much firepower in the end.
Knights by 10.
Alan
Roar Guru
The Knights have played themselves back into some form here by disposing off a terrible Panthers outfit 34-14. The victory may come at a heavy cost for Newcastle however as both Buderus and Gidley went off injured. Regardless, Mason did well to spark Newcastle into life in a dour contest filled with plenty of errors. Mullen, Uate, Tahu and Houston also played their part for Newcastle in a strong victory which sees the Knights progress into the top eight. The Panthers were awful in attack but were not aided by injuries to Jennings, Walsh and Lewis. Coach Ivan Cleary has a massive job on his hands in regards to turning around a football club that finished 2nd on the ladder just two seasons ago. The Panthers were all over the place in attack tonight and like the Eels, are really struggling for structure in attack. Thanks for joining us for this live blog and we look forward to your company next time on The Roar. FULLTIME: Knights 34 Panthers 14
Alan
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Knights 34 Panthers 14
Alan
Roar Guru
79' - Tighe does well to regather the football and the Panthers work it out from their own half. The Knights with this victory are back inside the top eight. Knights 34 Panthers 14
Alan
Roar Guru
78' - Two minute remain here as the Panthers reach the halfway here but Newton makes an error and the Knights are on the attack yet again. Knights 34 Panthers 14
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Burns converts and its 34-14 Newcastle. Knights 34 Panthers 14
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY PANTHERS - Newton scores his second try of the night as he pounces onto a nice grubber from Burns. Knights 34 Panthers 12
Alan
Roar Guru
VIDEO REFEREE - Burns with a great grubber and Newton reads it well and appears to have scored a try... checking for the grounding. Knights 34 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
75' - Knights make another error here from the kickoff and the Panthers will go on the attack. Knights 34 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Uate converts and its 34-8 Newcastle. The Knights have done very well to get the win they needed to build confidence. They have won big tonight. Knights 34 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
TRY KNIGHTS - Costigan muscles his way over and scores for the Knights. Too easy for Newcastle. Knights 32 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
72' - Newcastle will get a scrum feed as Burns kicks the football out on the full. This is a terrible performance from the Panthers and to be honest, they look well on course to fight the Eels for the wooden spoon. Knights 28 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
71' - Mullen rushes his kick and finds Coote who returns the football for Penrith. Both teams are just going through the motions here as they wind down the clock. Knights 28 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
70' - Austin kicks cross field but Burns loses possession and the Knights get the changeover here. Knights just strolling their way to victory despite the injuries to Buderus and Gidley. Newcastle now get the penalty and a bad night gets worse for Penrith. Knights 28 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
68' - Panthers work it out from their own half now after Mullen kicks deep. Game has lost alot of intensity here as the Panthers spread it wide and now get the penalty. Penrith will go on the attack. Knights 28 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
NO TRY PANTHERS - Burns has lost the football but it was a good effort nonetheless. Knights dodge a bullet and they regain possession here.. This has turned into a very scrappy contest. Knights 28 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
VIDEO REFEREE - Burns may have forced his way over and scored for the Panthers here. Burns has knocked the football on in my opinion. Knights 28 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
66' - Austin kicks deep and Uate makes an error and Lewis squanders a wonderful opportunity to score points for the Panthers. Panthers however get the scrum and go back on the attack. Knights 28 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
65' - Mullen kicks deep and finds Coote and the Panthers work it out from their own half here. Knights 28 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
64' - McKendry with a terrible offload and Uate regathers possession for the Knights. Terrible play from the Panthers forward. Knights 28 Panthers 8
Alan
Roar Guru
64' - Panthers get six again as Hilder fails to recover a Grant offload. Now the Panthers get the penalty and will be desperate to score here just to get their hopes up a little. Knights 28 Panthers 8