After a promising start to 2018, the Newcastle Knights face the possibility of joining the Parramatta Eels at the foot of the ladder. One of them, however, will take an important step towards reversing their form slump on Saturday night. Who will it be? Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 7:35pm AEST.
Parramatta’s on-field woes are surely enough of a concern for Brad Arthur’s men, yet his side will also now have to contend with the loss of Corey Norman (disciplinary reasons).
Norman was one of the Eels’ best in last week’s 18-10 loss to Brisbane, consistently forcing drop-outs and building pressure from the fullback position.
Bevan French moves to fullback to replace him while Josh Hoffman is recalled on the wing. Meanwhile, in a welcome boost, Nathan Brown has been named on the reserves as he looks to make his long-awaited return from an ankle injury sustained in Round 5.
Newcastle have injury concerns of their own with cult hero Nathan Ross (groin) out and replaced by Corey Denniss while Jacob Lilyman starts at prop for Herman Ese’ese (suspension).
Fortunately for the Novocastrians, young gun Kalyn Ponga looks set to overcome head knocks suffered in last week’s heavy 48-10 defeat at the hands of Cronulla.
Newcastle are conceding 28.5 points a game this year, which ranks them as the worst defensive side in the competition.
Luckily, it appears they won’t have to do much defending on Saturday night as they prepare for a Parramatta side with the worst attack in the league.
Tip
Parramatta showed promising signs last week against Brisbane while Newcastle’s defence was simply not at a first-grade level in their loss to Cronulla. Look for the Eels to scrape home with their third victory of the year.
Parramatta by four.
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting at 7:35pm AEST.
Jocko
Guest
Semi Radradra? Why did the eels not pay and fight for this legend but fought and paid for Hayne? Jokes now. Semi is killing it.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
No, it isn't. Many, including myself, had ruled Newcastle out of finals contention after 4 straight losses, including last week's 38-point loss to Cronulla. Parramatta had only lost 2 games this year by 13+ (Canberra and Manly). All other teams had struggled to put them away with as much ease as Newcastle did last night.
Matt
Guest
Bit of an insult to intelligence to say that beating Parra equals bursting into finals calculations.
Kevvies Mighty Maroons
Guest
Parra need some QLD magic for next season - Maybe Benny might get a call to take over as coach??
Big Jack
Guest
Parra really are a rabble of a team- don't know what they have planned but surely they need to revamp their squad and look at the coaching staff too since their season 2018 is finished. Be lucky to beat the bye
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
MATCH REPORT: Knights snap four-game losing streak after pummelling Parramatta The Knights have burst back into finals contention with a dominant 30-4 win over an injury-stricken Parramatta outfit. The Eels finished the game with no players left on their bench after losing Mitchell Moses (leg), Bevan French (concussion), Peni Teripo (concussion) and Will Smith (hamstring) throughout the eighty minutes with Moses’ injury threatening to end his season. However, the Knights have had injury concerns of their own this year and quashed claims that they were destined for a mid-season collapse without Mitchell Pearce after bouncing back from last week’s 48-10 loss to Cronulla. Newcastle grabbed the first try of the night after Moses failed to take a towering bomb with Jack Cogger scooping the loose ball up and crossing over. The Knights later extended their lead courtesy of a penalty goal before Lachlan Fitzgibbon almost grounded a Cogger grubber in the 35th minute, only to have been impeded by Eels centre Michael Jennings. Jennings was sin-binned for his efforts and the Knights immediately took advantage when a simple short ball saw Sione Mata’utia crash over. As a result, Newcastle held a commanding 14-0 lead at the break. Any chance of a miracle comeback was quickly dashed when Ken Sio grounded a Kalyn Ponga grubber in the 45th minute. A controversial shoulder charge by Tepai Moeroa saw the Parramatta edge forward put on report and he looks set to join his injured teammates on the sidelines for an extended period. Parramatta’s woes were deepened after a Danny Levi short ball saw Daniel Safiti barge over in the 55th minute to blow the score line out to 26-0. Connor Watson was the next to score after he outpaced Jennings and Brad Takairangi to burst through the line untouched in the 68th minute. However, Takairangi made up for it eight minutes later when he showed great hands to quickly shift the ball onto Josh Hoffman who surged through the Newcastle defence in the 76th minute for Parramatta’s first try of the night. It was the only highlight in a dour night for Parramatta fans, with the Knights running away 26-point victors.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
You can celebrate now Karlo!
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
FULL TIME - KNIGHTS 30 DEFEAT EELS 4 A dominant performance from the Knights tonight, who run away 30-4 victors over Parramatta at ANZ Stadium. After conceding nine tries last week, Nathan Brown's side made a massive statement tonight. Meanwhile, the Eels' injury concerns out of tonight's game is the least of their worries with a trip to Darwin next week seeing them take on the Cowboys who are coming off an impressive win. When does Parramatta's next win come Roarers? Tough to see them overcoming this rut. Ultimately, Newcastle have reaffirmed themselves as Top Eight contenders with a big win tonight. What did you make of the game Roarers?
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
77' - EELS CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL Clinton Gutherson He sends it to the right of the posts. EELS - 4 KNIGHTS - 30
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
Short forward passes can be sometimes tough to call though because, as you said, the receiver is often already through the hole by the time they catch it but short ball are certainly often 50/50.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
76' - EELS TRY Josh Hoffman Clinton Gutherson sends it to Brad Takairangi who shows great hands to quickly shift it to Hoffman who surges through the line to score! EELS - 4 KNIGHTS - 30
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
75' - Clint Gutherson's kick on the last goes dead and Newcastle earn a seven-tackle set. Danny Levi skips out of dummy-half and surges towards the 30 before Kalyn Ponga explores the left edge and is tackled 20 out from the Parramatta line. The bomb on the last is taken well by Josh Hoffman who is swarmed upon by Sione Mata'utia and tackled five short of his own line. A relieving penalty now for Parramatta who were struggling for metres within their own 20 and they begin their set on their own 30. Manu Ma'u brings it up towards halfway on the second before a strong run from Suaia Matagi brings the Eels to the Newcastle 30 and he draws a penalty for a leg pull. Eels are just 10 out with a full set. David Gower offloads and Cameron King sends it wide but Nathan Brown slips and is tackled. Sione Mata'utia now hits Suaia Matagi without the ball and concedes the penalty. Warning given to Jacob Lillyman. EELS - 0 KNIGHTS - 30
jimmmy
Guest
Wasn’t a go at you . The Refs need to know how incredibly difficult it is to defend a short forward pass. Someone needs to teach them.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
69' - KNIGHTS CONVERSION UNSUCCESSFUL Kalyn Ponga EELS - 0 KNIGHTS - 30
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
69' - Will Smith off with a hamstring injury. Peni Terepo is also off (HIA). Parramatta with no-one on their bench. EELS - 0 KNIGHTS - 30
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
The commentators seem to get excited about everything he does, even when it is not the right call so glad to see they recognised that was the wrong play there. With a bit of maturity and experience he will be even better.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
68' - KNIGHTS TRY Connor Watson Watson goes straight through Takairanga and Jennings and outpaces the duo to race over untouched! EELS - 0 KNIGHTS - 30
jimmmy
Guest
Ponga is starting to think kick first. A mistake very common these days.
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
66' - Michael Jennings drops the ball after a right edge spread and Ken Sio swoops on the loose ball and sprints away before being wrapped up by Will Smith 30 out from the Eels' line. Kalyn Ponga tries to take advantage by kicking early for Lachlan Fitzgibbon but it was probably a rush of blood from the youngster with the kick not coming off. EELS - 0 KNIGHTS - 26
Penrith Punter
Roar Guru
65' - A poor kick on the last gifts Newcastle a seven-tackle set and they are already on halfway on the third tackle. They look to spread it right on the last and the Parramatta defence rushes up on Ponga, who steps around them and tries to kick for his outside men but it is a poor one and Michael Jennings scoops it up and surges towards the 40. Parramatta are making good metres now with Nathan Brown working his way towards the Knights' 30 metre mark and he draws a penalty. Can Parramatta score their first points of the night? Massive hit by Daniel Saifiti on Peni Terepo and he drops the ball but the Eels grab the penalty. EELS - 0 KNIGHTS - 26