The Newcastle Knights thumped the Gold Coast Titans 30-2 on Sunday afternoon.
>>MATCH REPORT: Gagai suffers heart scare as Knights win
The five-tries-to-none victory was overshadowed by concern for Dane Gagai, who was taken to hospital with an irregular heartbeat.
Newcastle 30 def. Gold Coast 2
Two struggling teams will go head-to-head at Hunter Stadium, as the Newcastle Knights take on the Gold Coast Titans. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:30pm.
Newcastle have been bad this year. There’s no other way to explain it. After winning their first four games of the season, the Knights have lost 11 of 12 games to fall to the foot of the table.
They weren’t terrible last weekend against the Raiders, but they still showed they were well off the pace in a 36-22 loss. Blake Austin scored a hat-trick in the first 20 minutes against the Knights, showing the main issue that has plagued the Novocastrians this season.
The Titans have been stuck in the bottom half of the season all season long, and a 38-6 loss to the struggling Sea Eagles last weekend compounded their problems.
With their well-publicised gain (and subsequent loss) of Daly Cherry-Evans, the Titans haven’t been able to concentrate on playing good footy in a while, and their long injury list makes the struggles even worse. They do have some class in their side, but they’ll need to put together a complete performance to knock over the Knights in Newcastle.
The Knights have a big in this weekend, as Beau Scott will return from suspension. This pushes Paterika Vaivai out of the squad, while Jeremy Smith will regain his spot at lock. Joe Tapine moves on to the bench, while the aforementioned Vaivai has been named in the number 18 jersey. Kurt Gidley is the Knights captain.
The Titans also get a key forward back from suspension, as Greg Bird’s eight week break ends this weekend. He’ll replace Eddy Pettybourne in the starting 13, dropping the incumbent lock to the bench.
Beau Falloon and Dave Taylor have both been named to start, meaning Chad Redman and Agnatius Paasi will come off the pine. Lachlan Burr has been dropped completely, while Ben Ridge is named in the 18 jersey.
Prediction
It’s been a terrible season for both these sides, so this is only a game for pride at this stage. I think the Knights looked better last weekend, so I’m backing them for a rare victory.
Newcastle by 4
john neeson
Guest
NOOO!! Please don't make them move to Queensland!!
TheSmak
Guest
So much for 'Wrath of the Titans' after their hiding last week. (slumps shoulders and sighs) ughh...what can i say, it's a love hate relationship.
Doug Graves
Guest
Titans vs Tigers for the spoon it appears. Although I'm still holding out hope that Manly will collapse and get what they deserve!
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
FULL TIME Just a quick recap, as I have to get across to live blog the Dragons and the Rabbitohs. The Knights were the better side tonight, and they fully deserve the 30-2 victory. The Titans are looking odds on for the spoon right now, and they'll need a serious turnaround if they want to avoid the unwanted title. Thanks for joining me for Saturday Night footy, and make sure to stick around for the next game between St. George and Souths.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
79' One more chance to get a sixth try for the Knights, and Houston is stopped 5 from the line. They come to the left, where Taylor comes away with an intercept, and he's away!!! He kicks down field, but Mamo wins the race back, and he'll kick it dead to end the game. Knights 30 Titans 2
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
78' Good offload from Snowden, and Levi steals an extra 10 metres. Left side now, and Gidley is chopped down in a good tackle. Levi brings them to the left side, where Roberts will roll one into the in-goal. Tariq Sims was pulled down in the chase, so the Knights will get a penalty. Knights 30 Titans 2
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
77' The Knights will try the right side here, but Houston is stopped short. Last play, and Roberts will send a little kick to the middle of the ground. Greg Bird is caught in his own in goal, so the Knights will get another set. Knights 30 Titans 2
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
75' Another shocking error from the Titans, as David Mead just drops the ball cold. They've made 16 errors tonight. Knights 30 Titans 2
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
74' Another error from the Titans. The Knights surely have another try in them before this one is over. They'll try the left side, but Korbin Sims has lost the footy. Only 5 and a half to go now. Knights 30 Titans 2
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
73' The Titans defence has been pretty good for the past 20 minutes. The Knights are struggling to crack them at the moment. Beau Scott has been stripped of the ball by Ryan James, and the Titans come away with the football. Knights 30 Titans 2
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Reported by both the ABC and Fairfax, so presumably true.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
71' Another lost ball from the Titans, this one from Greg Bird. The Knights will come to the inside to Houston, and he's stopped about 5 from the line. Right side now, and Snowden gets an offload away. Now a long pass out to Uate, and he manages to get the ball back inside before he's shown the touch line. Mullen will now run a little grubber through, and Taylor boots this one halfway up the hill! Knights 30 Titans 2
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
NO TRY KNIGHTS 70' Houston was held up. Last play for the Knights, and Mullen sends one across field. It's an awkward one, and Uate loses the ball. Knights 30 Titans 2
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
VIDEO REF KNIGHTS 70' Only 10 minutes of this left Titans fans. The Knights try the right side, and Houston gets himself over the line, but he may have been held up. It's sent upstairs as a NO TRY. Knights 30 Titans 2
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
69' The Knights try the left side, but Korbin Sims has no room at all. They'll try the short side, but Gidley sends them back the other way. Now there's some space, and Fa'alogo has an offload. The Knights have the overlap to the left side, but the Titans scrambling defence is superb. That would have been a fantastic try if they'd scored. Knights 30 Titans 2
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
68' Solid hit on Kade Snowden here, as Nate Myles got him a good one. The Knights will force a repeat set here. Knights 30 Titans 2
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
Didn't even hear that Alex L. That's shocking news if it's true.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
66' How many more can the Knights get here? Gidley brings them to the right, and now Houston has a go at the line. Levi will have a go at his second try, and he draws a penalty. Knights 30 Titans 2
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Oh man, Dane Gagai has been taken to hospital with an irregular heartbeat. Hope he's going to be okay.
Joel Erickson
Roar Guru
65' No penalty there, but I'd be surprised if Nate Myles doesn't have a case to answer for. The Titans lose the football on the first play from the restart, and Houston comes away with possession. He now earns a penalty, and it looks like Myles is the culprit. Knights 30 Titans 2