Cooper Cronk left predecessor Mitchell Pearce in his wake and had a hand in all seven of the Sydney Roosters’ tries in their 38-8 thrashing of Newcastle.
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Final score
Sydney Roosters 38
Newcastle Knights 8
Round 3 of the NRL wraps up with one of the most anticipated games of the early rounds as the undefeated Newcastle Knights travel down to face early competition favourites the Sydney Roosters. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog starting from 6:30pm AEDT.
The Knights have been the fairytale story of the first two rounds as they look to continue a new found winning momentum where they have been able to win close contests against Manly and Canberra.
New signings Mitchell Pearce and young gun Kayla Ponga have both been outstanding in the wins for the Knights and will be keen to continue their good form this weekend.
Mitchell Pearce especially will be looking to again lead from the front against his old club in the Roosters who released him after the high profile capture of Cooper Cronk from the Melbourne Storm in the offseason.
The true development of Newcastle though will be highlighted this weekend as the Roosters will look to continue their forward momentum after a convincing win over the Bulldogs in their last start.
The Roosters attacking combinations are still a work in progress but last weeks win showed a definite improvement as both Cooper Cronk and James Tedesco began to show the class and quality they will bring to the Roosters this year.
Newcastle will be aware of the many attacking dangers the Roosters possess including a revitalised Blake Ferguson who has started the year in great form.
This game promises to be any blockbuster and it will be fascinating to see how the Knights react to playing one of the true heavyweights of the competition .
Prediction
The Roosters won both contests between these two teams convincingly last year but this is a different Knights team and one which all of a sudden is playing with a new found confidence.
Knights to win in an upset 24-22
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 6:30pm AEDT.
blake
Guest
go the syd rooster i hope do wound weillwin
Wolly
Roar Guru
I was expecting him to reach great heights under Bennett. I don’t think he’ll be anymore than a good solid centre.
Emcie
Roar Guru
he has the athletic potential, just his head needs work...
Wolly
Roar Guru
I remember reading an article back in 2011 with the author saying he is the next Folau.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Roosters were way too good. Just too much strike across the park. Knights didn't play badly but they were just outgunned as a lot of teams will be coming up against this Roosters side. Cronk and Cleary are now combining very well. Its going to be tough to deny them a premiership this year.
Horrie Hastings
Guest
Okay display from the chooks but must be better than this to be a premiership contender
Emcie
Roar Guru
well that'll bring the knights back down to earth a bit
Sebastian
Roar Guru
80' - The Roosters have made a statement tonight as they run out 38-8 winners over the Knights
Emcie
Roar Guru
and people wonder why broncos supporters were happy to see the back of Moga
Sebastian
Roar Guru
78' - Moga is sin-binned for the Knights after not letting Radley go
Emcie
Roar Guru
moga..
Sebastian
Roar Guru
74' - Roosters still hungry for more as they are continue to pressure the Knights line
Sebastian
Roar Guru
66' - TRY Another quality try for the Roosters as Cronk kicks over to the corner for Ferguson who collects and plants the ball over the line
Sebastian
Roar Guru
Sebastian
Roar Guru
65' - Roosters have shown tonight the reason they have been tipped as premiership favourites
Emcie
Roar Guru
Loving the commenators explaining why the scoreline isn't Pearce's fault, pretty sure that wouldn't be the case if the scores were reversed
Sebastian
Roar Guru
60' - Knights just have to continue to hang in so the score does not get to ugly
Emcie
Roar Guru
looked like more then that
Big Daddy
Guest
Hope I read correctly re crowd for Saturday night double header. 12553 ????
Sebastian
Roar Guru
56' - Mitchell misses th conversion the Roosters up 34-8