The Newcastle Knights have been whacked with yet another heavy defeat, losing to Penrith 42-6.
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Final score
Knights 6
Panthers 42
The Newcastle Knights will be out to snap an incredible 14-game losing streak this afternoon as they play host the Penrith Panthers. Join The Roar from 2pm (AEST) for all the live highlights and rugby league action.
The Knights haven’t picked up a win since a two-point escape over the Tigers all the way back in Round 6, putting them on the edge of a very unwanted record.
Having already broken their club record for most consecutive losses last week, another one today will give them the overall record for the NRL era, a record that’s stood for nearly 20 years.
Mind you, they’re still nowhere near the all-time record. A mammoth 42-game losing streak by the now defunct University that stretched across three seasons in the ’30s.
While Newcastle sit at the bottom of the barrel with just one win from 20 games and an average of 34 points a game scored against them, the Panthers are faring a little bit better.
Penrith are finding themselves in a very tight battle for the final top eight spots, currently sitting in eighth on equal points with the Warriors and Tigers, with the Dragons only one game further back.
Points difference is all that’s keeping them afloat at the moment, but it’s not a strong one at all, meaning that a big win over the Knights today could boost them out of reach and secure a finals berth.
Team News
The young Panthers outfit showed off the future of the Penrith club last week against the Roosters, with future stars Nathan Cleary, Matt Moylan and Tyrone Peachey all making big impacts.
With no injuries or suspensions to deal with, it’s no surprise that coach Anthony Griffin has remained unchanged for this week, letting his side build and move forward as a unit.
Newcastle have made a few changes though, including the return of Tyler Randell at hooker from a rib injury.
Mitch Barnett also makes his return following a suspension, causing Jacob Saifiti to move into lock and force Pauli Pauli onto the bench.
Danny Levi has been ruled out with a back injury that is likely to end his season early with surgery likely to be on the cards. Retiring veteran Jeremy Smith will also be absent for this one.
Prediction
The Panthers need to win, they have to get the two points and keep the points flowing if they want to get that finals spot with so many teams nipping at their heels.
There isn’t a whole lot for the Knights to keep playing for with pride already out the window. They have had some incredibly tight performances at home this year though so don’t expect them to roll over.
Penrith to win by 18
P Air
Guest
Every team that only played the knights once should be given an extra 2 points.
Rod
Guest
They play much better than a side that has won one game. It's a very inexperienced side, but look at the Giants , it does not take long before you are very competitive again.
Connor Bennett
Editor
» Click here to read the full match report 37 missed tackles for the Knights compared to the Panthers 15. Newcastle also found themselves on the wrong side of a 7-2 line break split.
Connor Bennett
Editor
The Roar's NRL MVP votes: 3 - Matt Moylan 2 - Tyrone Peachey 1 - Waqa Blake
Connor Bennett
Editor
Connor Bennett
Editor
FULLTIME A big win in the end for Penrith who just blew the game side off the park in the second half after a tight opening 40 minutes of footy. 36 unanswered points in the second half turned a thrilling game, with a possible Knights upset, into a demolition job and a vital win for the Panthers in their hunt for the top eight. For the Knights, they now have the record for most consecutive losses in the modern NRL era. Also closing on the record for most points and most tries conceded in a season, and that is an all time record. Knights – 6 Panthers – 42
Connor Bennett
Editor
80' Knock on Newcastle!! And then they give away a penalty 30 metres out from their own line. Panthers are in again!! TRY PANTHERS!! As the siren sounds in the back ground, Josh Mansour crosses the chalk for his second of the day. Moylan taps and plays quickly from the aforementioned penalty, running across to the left flank before throwing a long ball to Hardaker who does a superb job in stepping inside his defender, before stepping back out and wrong-footing him. It was a simple ball to Mansour from there to get the final ten metres and over in the corner. Knights – 6 Panthers – 42
Connor Bennett
Editor
79' Panthers nearly in off the scrum!! But the final pass goes down and the Knights survive!! Knights – 6 Panthers – 36
Connor Bennett
Editor
79' Not a lot going the way of the Knights. The pass down the short side hits the deck and Elliot jumps on it, but just lands the shoulder on the sideline in the process, giving Penrith a scrum 10 metres out. Knights – 6 Panthers – 36
Connor Bennett
Editor
78' Penalty for the Panthers and the kick for touch will get them over halffway. Moylan and Peachey play the cheeky set piece either side of the ruck but the later can't get through and they will head over to the right wing. Knights – 6 Panthers – 36
Connor Bennett
Editor
77' Set play across the left wing with a pair of decoys and a long ball to Elliot, but he slips near the sideline and goes down just a few metres out. Aaaaaand they make more errors!! Penrith jump on the dropped ball and they'll head up field through the middle. Knights – 6 Panthers – 36
Connor Bennett
Editor
76' Panthers with the spilt ball inside their own half!! Newcastle have a late chance here to get something back and send the home fans back with something. Knights – 6 Panthers – 36
Connor Bennett
Editor
74' Knights fighting valiantly as they cross over halfway and up past the 30. Mullen again taking on the line, breaking the defence and getting the offload away to Gagai in space!! But Gagai can't hold onto it. Scrum for the Panthers 15 metres from their own line now. Knights – 6 Panthers – 36
Connor Bennett
Editor
73' Panthers deep in the Knights half again... Wallace gives it out to Moylan who searches for Mansour out on the left wing!! Ball finds touch in the end and Newcastle escape without more points. And then they win a penalty to get them up the other end of the park. Knights – 6 Panthers – 36
Connor Bennett
Editor
72' The Knights walk gingerly back to halfway for the restart and it's just turned out to be another one of those days for the home side in 2016. Knights – 6 Panthers – 36
Connor Bennett
Editor
70' TRY PANTHERS!!! Watene-Zelezniak has a double!! In about five minutes as well. Just perfectly executed off the scrum. Moylan takes it off the scrum, double pumps to the pair of decoy runners that bring the Knights defence in, gives the long ball to the winger who has a nothing but fresh air and a try line in front of him. Knights – 6 Panthers – 36
Connor Bennett
Editor
68' Newcastle may not be done yet through? Fighting away for the line 15 metres out... but Hodkinson's kick wasn't a good one, finding the in goal area on the full and a 20 metre restart for Penrith. Knights – 6 Panthers – 30
Connor Bennett
Editor
67' Four tries without a response for the Panthers in the second half so far. The Knights have given away another tight game in a forgettable season. Knights – 6 Panthers – 30
Connor Bennett
Editor
65' TRY PANTHERS!! Another one for Penrith!! Watene-Zelezniak was couldn't get the job done a minute ago, but no mistakes this time. He and Blake had a huge, HUGE, amount of space out on the right edge and it was a simple case of catch and pass from the inside men to get them the ball. Blake could have crossed himself but gave the pass off a metre away from the line just to make sure the cover defence that was no where to be seen wouldn't catch him out. Knights – 6 Panthers – 30
Connor Bennett
Editor
64' The footy is all over the place here!! Knights spill the beans.. then Panthers drop it? Who knows what happened there but Penrith end up with a scrum just short of halfway out of all that. Knights – 6 Panthers – 24