Two teams battling to squeeze into a top-8 finish can take a giant step towards achieving that goal when the Penrith Panthers take on the Newcastle Knights at Centrebet Stadium. Join us for live scores and commentary from 2.00pm AEST.
The Panthers have surprised most pundits in 2013. A team with zero star power and a bevy of new faces, they knocked off minor premiers the Storm in Round 9 and have won five out of seven games since to plant themselves in seventh place.
Equal with the Panthers on points but slightly ahead on for and against, the Knights have built their wins on the work of their halves.
Jarrod Mullen’s kicking game has been on song more often than not, while Tyrone Roberts’ passing game and ability to take on the line provides the perfect complement.
That said, the Knights have been poor on the road, managing just two wins from eight away games, though the recent return of veteran Danny Buderus in the hooking role provided much-needed direction to help them defeat the Bulldogs in Mackay in Round 17.
Speaking of veterans, for the first time in his career recent Knights signing Craig Gower lines up against the team for whom he made 238 appearances.
Buderus and Gower have almost 700 first grade games between them and their experience will prove invaluable.
The Panthers have had a horror week with injuries, losing in-form forwards Nigel Plum and Matt Robinson and centre Brad Tighe for an extended period of time.
A major reshuffle has been required from coach Ivan Cleary and it’ll be sure to test the structures the Panthers coach has been working on implementing.
On paper, you’d expect the Knights to win this, with a potent backline and loads of experience in their forwards, from Buderus and Gower to Willie Mason, Jeremy Smith and Beau Scott.
But the Panthers have defied expectations on several occasions in 2013, and with the home ground advantage I’m backing them to do it again this afternoon.
Join us for live scores and commentary from 2.00pm AEST, and be sure to let us know your thoughts if you’re following along.
greatwhite54
Guest
MATE, WHY DO THEY CALL THE PANTHERS CHOCOLATE COWBOYS.....IS THAT BECAUSE THE MELT UNDER ANY HEAT...GUS BETTER GO SHOPPING FOR PLAYERS AGAIN......
Adam
Roar Guru
In short, Knights have overcome their poor away form and proved too good for the Panthers today. Wayne Bennett's side look to be building nicely in 2013. Thanks for following!
Adam
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME: Panthers 14 - Knights 32 Well, it was anyone's game at half-time but it was only one team's game by the final siren. Newcastle outclassed Penrith in that second half with a controlled performance that will take them to fifth place on the ladder -- and they look like they belong there. Darius Boyd was their star, safe as houses at the back and sparking them when they needed it, while Gagai and especially Leilua looked particularly tough to handle at times. Up front Snowden and Houston were the best, and Mullen and Roberts got the job done in the halves. For the Panthers, things fell apart a little in the second. Their injuries earlier in the week wouldn't have helped matters and they lost Adam Docker with a fractured cheekbone for the second half, and they couldn't get their gameplan back on track. They tried hard but some silly penalties and bad errors meant they mounted too much pressure on themselves.
Adam
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME: Panthers 14 - Knights 32
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Panthers 14 - Knights 32 80' CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL -- Roberts adds the extras as the full-time siren sounds in the background.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Panthers 14 - Knights 30 80' TRY COSTIGAN! Wow! Old Neville runs a good line -- he's tackled around the legs but he reaches out to JUST plant the ball on the white stripe!
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Panthers 14 - Knights 26 79' Short kick-off! Knights have possession! Didn't see that one coming!
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Panthers 14 - Knights 26 78' CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL -- Walsh adds the extras.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Panthers 12 - Knights 26 78' TRY NEWTON! Green light is shown for the most unlikely of late tries for the Panthers -- but it's little more than a consolation.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Panthers 8 - Knights 26 REPLAY: It's the last tackle from the Panthers and they chance their arms. After a few balls flung out the back, it's picked up by Cameron Ciraldo who manages to beat a tackle and tip-toe down the sideline. He drops the ball to his feet and almost airswings, but he manages to get part of his foot to it. He then dribbles the ball into the in-goal... Clint Newton follows through... and it looks like he's just got his fingers to it!
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Panthers 8 - Knights 26 78' VIDEO REFEREE! Clint Newton may have scored the ugliest try of all-time! We're going upstairs... if I was the ref I'd've just said "Uhhh... check everything."
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Panthers 8 - Knights 26 77' Cross-field kick from Gower but Simmons does well to take it above his head in-goal. Very safe in the air, is Simmons.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Panthers 8 - Knights 26 76' Simpkins almost breaks through for the Panthers but he's taken in a diving tackle. He tries to force a pass but it's straight to Jeremy Smith. Knights back on the attack now.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Panthers 8 - Knights 26 75' Fa'alogo with a break, he finds Buderus in space but the old legs don't get too far before being run down! Ball from dummy half is bad and Penrith come up with possession.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Panthers 8 - Knights 26 74' Brown leaves the field now. Penrith chance their arm on the last and Roberts finds some space -- he is LIGHTNING off the mark -- but the cover defence gets there in time. Roberts kicks over the top but Boyd cleans up, Knights with the ball now.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Panthers 8 - Knights 26 73' Lewis Brown is down getting treatment for what looks like cramp -- the play has come back to where he's laying down so the ref stops play on Penrith's fourth tackle.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Panthers 8 - Knights 26 72' CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL. Roberts adds the extras. Newcastle have been very impressive in this second half and thoroughly deserve the two points.
Zaccaaa
Guest
Game over red rover
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Panthers 8 - Knights 24 70' TRY KNIGHTS! Too much pressure and the Panthers finally succumb, Kade Snowden powering over from what should have been a standard hit-up close to the line. That's the killer blow.
Adam
Roar Guru
Live score: Panthers 8 - Knights 20 69' Newcastle were in good position for a field goal there but they went the short side instead. Roberts grubbers through -- it's cleaned up by Simmons who does the damnedest to escape his in-goal but a great chase by the Knights sees him hit a brick wall. Dropout to come, Knights again on the attack.