Knights make hay while sun shines without Storm stars to chalk up ugly first win
It wasn't pretty but Newcastle were fortunate to get over a Melbourne side lacking star power to register their first win of the season…
Newcastle coach Nathan Brown is hoping the carrot of a rare top-eight berth is just the motivation they need this week to extend their winning streak to four.
The Knights will enter the top half of the ladder if they continue their recent strong form with a win over St George Illawarra on Saturday in Mudgee in NSW’s central west.
It will be the first time Newcastle will sit inside the top eight this deep into a season since last making the finals in 2013.
It is a far cry from the perilous situation a month ago, when Brown had been under immense pressure after opening the year with five losses in six games.
“From where we were, and three-four weeks ago, winning has given us confidence and, hopefully, that confidence will see us climb up the ladder,” Brown said on Monday.
“Hopefully, it gives them great motivation, but every week’s just so important and it’s hard each week to win.
“You look at the ladder, it’s bizarre where we were three-four weeks ago, where we are now and where we could be if we continue to play some decent footy.
“But on the reverse, you lose a couple and you can drop rather quick as well.”
The Dragons match comes ahead of a challenging month including games against the Sydney Roosters, South Sydney and Melbourne.
The Knights had some good news on Monday on the injury front, with Connor Watson and Edrick Lee cleared of serious foot injuries.
Both are a chance to travel to Mudgee, with Tautau Moga and Kurt Mann options to fill in should either player be sidelined.
The game in country NSW will be the fourth road trip for Newcastle in five weeks, although two of them have turned into wins.
“We’ve got a long turnaround this week as well, which is a bonus. For us, road trips seem to be going reasonably well,” Brown said.
The Knights lost to the Dragons in round four in golden point.
Reckon you can pick the winning team? Build your own dream team with Draftstars daily fantasy and compete on any match. For great odds on the NRL head on over to PlayUp. Imagine what you could be buying instead. Set a deposit limit.
It wasn't pretty but Newcastle were fortunate to get over a Melbourne side lacking star power to register their first win of the season…
Team List Tuesday is rarely that exciting, but this week’s edition was a real doozy. Granted, we already knew most of it from the…
Chad Townsend has rescued the Cowboys with a field goal in golden point to deliver a dramatic win over the Knights in Townsville. The…
The Dally M Medal is a controversial award, as evidenced in Round 1.
Contesting the ball lies at the heart of rugby league and the new kick re-start rule.
The NRL’s opening fixture on home soil to kick off the 2024 season was not necessarily a clash of the titans but Newcastle and…