The Newcastle Knights will be looking to revive their 2013 campaign with a win at Hunter Stadium, but will have to do so against a Gold Coast Titans side pushing for a top four spot. Join us for live scores and commentary from 2.00pm AEST.
There is no two ways about it, Newcastle has been dismal of late. The side is struggling to find any sort of confidence and has won one of their last seven games, scoring an average of 14.3 points per game in each of those losses.
While the Knights shot out to an early 14-4 lead against Melbourne a fortnight ago, Newcastle were unable to hold onto the lead, failing to trouble the scorer after the 30 minute mark.
The Gold Coast on the other hand will bring a lot of confidence into the game, having won three of their last four games.
The Titans were too strong against an understrength Melbourne side at Skilled Park last Monday night, with young halfback Albert Kelly looking dangerous every time he had the ball in his hands.
Despite the fact that the Titans sit just one point shy of the top four, the bookmakers still have them at $34 to win the premiership.
Prediction
The Titans have one of the best home records in the competition, winning six of eight at Skilled Park. Their record on the road however is a completely different story, where they have struggled to a 2-4 record.
If Albert Kelly is able to replicate the game that he had against Melbourne just six days ago, it will go a long way to securing a rare away win for the Gold Coast.
The withdrawal of David Taylor is a big loss to their back line, but the return of Greg Bird and Nate Myles from Origin duty will certainly help the visitor’s chances.
While I expect Newcastle to put in a much-improved performance in front of the home crowd, the task of trying to knock off a Titans side that are gunning for that top four spot will certainly be a tough one.
I have flipped and changed my mind about this one more times than the Labour Party, but I think with Queensland’s win on Wednesday night and Kevin Rudd back in power, the Gold Coast will look to make it a 1-2-3 for Sunshine State.
I’ll take the Gold Coast by four points.
seven dollers worth
Guest
Gold Coast didnt have the Ref's advantage. Same old story for Knights at home games.
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
FULLTIME - In the end, the scoreline probably flattered the Gold Coast. They showed nothing for most of the game in attack and defence. Cartwright will really have to pick his team up for their game against Penrith at home. Titans fans will be sweating on the health of Greg Bird for the clash, while early reports on Idris look like he could be out for the rest of the season. STATS - The Gold Coast were able to even the possession up a little more in the second half, with Newcastle still having 56% of the ball, which makes it very hard to win a game of football at any level. - Newcastle were only tackled in the opponents 20m six more times then the Titans (19 - 13) which is interesting considering the scoreline. - Ball handling from both sides was a big issue in the wet, with Newcastle completing 32/42 and the Gold Coast 27/40. - Linebreaks saw the Knights 8 - 2 - Newcastles missed tackles was blown out in the last 20 minutes, with them committing 16 compared to the Titans 22. - One of the only parts of the game that the Gold Coast came out in front was the penalty count 5 - 4. So much for my prediction for a low scoring win by the Gold Coast ....
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
80' - GOLD COAST TRY - David Mead dives over from tummy half. Very lazy defence from Newcastle to allow a try in the dieing seconds. Bennett won't be happy with the way they ended the game but still a big win by Newcastle. CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Seizer makes it 2/3 on the afternoon with the boot. FULLTIME Newcastle 46 Gold Coast 16
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
78' - Aiden Seizer attempts a 40/20 but McManus picks the ball up just before it runs into touch. Brilliant pickup from the winger. Neville Costigan loses the ball 40m out from his own line giving the Titans one last opportunity to get on the board. Newcastle 46 Gold Coast 4
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
74' - GOLD COAST TRY - Birds readmission into the game has really helped the Titans. After causing the initial turnover, he crosses for the Titans second try of the afternoon. Still not sure why Cartwright sent him back out there. 75' - CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL - Seizer knocks over the 2 pointer.
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
72' - With Greg Bird back on the field, he crunches Danny Buderus who can't hold on. Don't know of many players who could after taking a shot like that. Newcastle 46 Gold Coast 4
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
71' - Gold Coast recieve a penalty. Bailey looking to take the quick tap is pulled back. They are on a roll here. Sorry, Minichello loses the ball 10m out after a strong tackle by Leulia. Newcastle 46 Gold Coast 4
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
68' - GOLD COAST TRY - Yes, you read correctly. Mullen kick across field out to Uates wing in intercepted by Gordon who runs the length of the field to score the Titans first points. Brilliant skills by Gordon, just 68 minutes to late. 69' - CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL - Seizer spraying the kick out to the left. Newcastle 46 Gold Coast 4
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
66' - Minichello knocks the ball on just 35m out from his own line. Another good opportunity for Newcastle to add to the tally this afternoon. Newcastle 46 Gold Coast 0
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
62' - NEWCASTLE TRY - Mullen scores his first try of 2013. A little step fools Ben Ridge (who committed the error off the scrum to put Newcastle in this position) and he crosses for yet another Knights try. 63' - CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL - Roberts was unable to capitalise on one of his easiest attempts of the afternoon. Newcastle 46 Gold Coast 0
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
60' - Mullen kicks on the second out to Uates wing. I think he feels bad that all the points have been scored out on the left hand side. Uate knocks the ball on however giving the Titans the ball. Not to worry though, Titans lose the ball on the back of the scrum in the tackle. Newcastle 42 Gold Coast 0
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
58' - Mullen grubbers out to McManus wing in an effort to try and get him his 5th meat pie of the afternoon but the ball goes into touch. To sum up the Gold Coasts afternoon, Minichello loses the ball from the scrum and then the Titans give away a penalty 10 out from Newcastles line. Newcastle 42 Gold Coast 0
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
58' - Seziers kick in goal goes dead again giving Newcastle a tap 20 as they make another charge down field. Newcastle 42 Gold Coast 0
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
56' - Bird running it strongly looks to be okay on that knee. Still don't think he should be out there. Surely Daley will be on the phone to Cartwright getting him to pull Bird .... Right on cue he is taken from the field. Newcastle 42 Gold Coast 0
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
54' - Gold Coast trapped deep inside their own half with Sam Irwin running the ball on the last copping a high shot from Willie Mason. Mason placed on report. Let off for the Titans there. Newcastle 42 Gold Coast 0
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
52' - More bad news for the Gold Coast. Greg Bird with a knee injury. Grimacing in pain, he chooses to stay out on the field. As the the commentators pointed out, no real point staying out there. Hopefully Cartwright pulls him. Newcastle 42 Gold Coast 0
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
49' - Gold Coast find their way inside the 20 of Newcastle with Bird putting a grubber in that goes into dead. Free 20m restart for the home side. Newcastle 42 Gold Coast 0
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
46' - Gold Coast trapped into their 10m again to start the set. Again, the Gold Coast are able to complete a set. Seziers sick down field finds Boyd down field. Ashley Harrison comes from the field with what looks like a leg injury. Can this get any worse for the Titans? Newcastle 42 Gold Coast 0
Roarsome
Guest
I think Bennett will have Newcastle looking to finish this off. The for and against here could have a big impact for both of these sides in a few months.
Nathan Beuman
Roar Guru
45' - GOLD COAST COMPLETE A SET. - Sorry if I got your hopes up for a try. Seizer with a kick down field finds Uate on the full. Newcastle 42 Gold Coast 0