Newcastle says it’s no fluke they are top of the NRL table after their hitmen successfully targeted Peter Wallace in their 26-14 win over Penrith at Hunter Stadium on Saturday.
The Knights’ enforcers, led by Beau Scott tickled the Panthers playmaker’s ribs every chance they could as they remained the only unbeaten team in the competition.
Appropriately, on Mining Family Day, with many of the 20,114-strong crowd wearing hi-vis workwear, the Knights rolled up their sleeves, successfully cutting down Wallace’s thinking time and it showed on the scoreboard.
On five occasions Scott, Jeremy Smith and Joey Leulia hit Wallace at a time when he was vulnerable and twice the Panthers No.7 got up hobbling after being hit.
Two weeks ago Scott received criticism for his heavy treatment of North Queensland’s Johnathan Thurston, however his manhandling of Wallace was within the rules, hitting him as he passed the ball or just after.
In the end the Panthers paid the price for their slow start while Newcastle’s confidence continues to grow.
They have now won six games in a row and it is the fourth time they have started a season 4-0. On the previous three occasions they achieved the feat – 1995, 1998 and 2002 – they qualified for the finals.
“I think after three games people were questioning whether we’re a fair dinkum team and we are, we believe we are,” Newcastle skipper Kurt Gidley said.
“We’ve worked hard in the off-season … We’ve won these games on defence and working hard and covering each others’ bums on our goal-line. That’s something to be proud of.”
Already missing five-eighth Jamie Soward (back), the Panthers were forced to revert to their third-choice No.6 after Isaac John (quad) was ruled out on game day and his spot taken by Bryce Cartwright, regularly a backrower.
Chris Houston – who was a late call up into the Knights’ starting side after Robbie Rochow was ruled out in the warm up with back spasms – opened the scoring for the Knights before the floodgates opened temporarily.
Adam Clydesdale and Tyrone Roberts then crossed three minutes apart to give the home side an 18-point buffer.
After looking half asleep in the opening quarter, the Panthers kicked into gear and crossed through Josh Mansour in the 24th minute.
Penrith fullback and NSW Origin hopeful Matt Moylan had an unhappy afternoon, dropping two Newcastle kicks on his own goal-line, the second of which led to Akuila Uate’s try which sealed the victory.
Asked about his side’s opening 20 minutes, Penrith coach Ivan Cleary said he would rather forget about it.
“The problem with starting like that is you start to get into a little bit of catch-up,” he said.
“We certainly created enough chances but if you’re in that catch-up mindset, you’re not as clinical.
“I thought we were a chance up to three minutes to go but it just wasn’t to be.”
chris n
Guest
Would have been a better chance at least
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Probably would've made the GF if JWH doesn't "accidentally" knock out Buderus.
chris n
Guest
And finished one game away from the grand final the year before that I think some people just look where they finished on the table.
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
Last year Snowden was suspended the first 5 or so matches, Mullen was injured, Gidley got injured, McKinnon was put in a wheelchair, Boyd checked into a mental health clinic mid season, and towards the end of the year with a near full strength team (minus Boyd) they started carving up. Why is everyone so surprised that they're playing well now?
chris n
Guest
There is a lot of what ifs there its like saying if my auntie had balls should would be my uncle
Albo
Guest
Yep ! Panthers asleep for 20 minutes and gave the Knights an 18 point head start. The rest of the match was all Penrith scoring 3 x tries, had another 3 x tries disallowed , and bombed another 5 or 6 tries ! On a better handling day ( or with Segy or Soward) the Panthers would have blown them away despite the bad start ! I wouldn't get too over excited about Newcastle's chances despite the good start . Fingers crossed they don't lose a Beau Scott, or a Kurt Gidley for any period of time, or they could be in trouble. If they finish in front of Penrith after round 26, I will be most surprised.
chris n
Guest
There is a lot of depth this year at Newcastle and think we can cover injuries quite well but like any team if you have a few of your key players out at the same time you are going to struggle.
Joffess
Guest
Enough of the Wayne Bennett bashing, everyone has their opinion on him but its getting old now. Knights are going great, but injuries could really test them if they get some to key players. At the moment their attack is great to watch. No so much the cheap shots. Go the Knights!
Muzz
Guest
It's a smelly old bait.However, if he likes, we can send up some Kiwis and Poms as it's getting a little too easy down here.
Wolly
Guest
I think you might be the joke actually. St George Illawarra in 2010 had 11 rep players in their squad and Easts in 2013 had 7 rep players so they definitely weren't stacked compared to the dragons side, in fact the dragons had 63% more rep players in their squad. Not even going to bother with the rest of your comment as i'm not sure if you're just baiting or a dropkick.
Squidward
Roar Rookie
Let me give you a tip. Nobody in NSW cares about Wayne Bennett. There's lierally been no vitriol spit about him in at least a decade. Most of us think his an awesome guy with that Clint Eastwood gran Torino swagger about him. So next conspiracy please...
chrisn
Guest
I agree you can only play the team that's put on front of you on the day the thing I'm most happy about is we are 4 from 4 and have been a long way off from playing our best footy cant fault our defence need a bit of work on our execution in attack.
Justthetip
Roar Pro
The guy delivers the dragons first premiership in nearly a half century and nsw fans still don't like him. Robinson did it in one year but his team was stacked compared to the dragons side. NSW are a joke. Souths best were poms and QLDERS. Roosters are half the kiwi side. A Qld coach delivers the premiership no blues coach could. Lucky Manly's got a few blues so you save face. If I'm being honest it's pathetic that you think that origin series win was so great. The refs allowed the game to slow to a crawl and we saw the 2 worst origin games ever when it supposed to be the pinnacle of rugby league. What happens when the 3rd game is allowed to flow like every other game? ............Oh wait
Justthetip
Roar Pro
You make some wild remarks. I just read in a rugby blog that you think it's the defenders responsibility to avoid a head clash in a tackle? You made the great point of graham leading with his head to cause injury and he isn't alone. Hargreaves elbowed Buderus in the semi final between knights and roosters. His running style was ridiculous. The roosters werent looking to confident before buderus went off. Who was their coach again?
Justthetip
Guest
You make some wild remarks. I just read in a rugby blog that you think it's the defenders responsibility to avoid a head clash in a tackle? You made the great point of graham leading with his head to cause injury to burgess and he isn't alone. Hargreaves elbowed Buderus in the semi final between knights and roosters. His running style was ridiculous. The roosters werent looking to confident before buderus went off. Who was their coach again?
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Very true. Let's continue this discussion after four weeks of finals.
pjm
Roar Rookie
You're only as good as your last game.
Muzz
Guest
Who said Bennett can no longer coach?...........Oh wait
up in the north
Roar Rookie
Talk about it when your bloke has won a few premierships.
pjm
Roar Rookie
Amazing what happens when a certain person leaves.