It is difficult to remember the last time McDonald Jones Stadium rocked like it did when the Knights launched the first kick-off deep into Rooster territory on Friday night.
After grappling with the Nathan Brown can’t coach/can coach conundrum for some years now, the Hunter appears to have concluded that indeed he can and that the visiting premiers were about to experience the wrath of Newcastle.
Boy, they weren’t wrong.
The Knights jumped the Roosters in the true sense of the word.
First half tries to Hymel Hunt, Kalyn Ponga and Mitchell Pearce took the home side to the sheds with a 22-6 lead. Only a 25th-minute try to James Tedesco bucked the trend.
The loss of Luke Keary to a head injury midway through the half did the Roosters no favours yet both before and after, Newcastle were the dominant force.
The Knights were frantic, intense and somewhat psychotic in their pressure. The Chooks were fragile and timid in comparison.
The Newcastle Knights were on fire (Tony Feder/Getty Images)
If anyone thought it was merely a first half burst of energy from the Novocastrians, they were to be proven well and truly incorrect.
The Knights extended their lead soon after the break with a try to Connor Watson in the 43rd minute.
A duo of penalty goals were split by the violent end to Ponga’s game when Jared Waerea-Hargreaves hit the young genius after he kicked. The Roosters’ hitman was late in his attack on Ponga, yet mystifying officialdom saw no infringement.
Someone might suggest to the referees that without the stars of the game, their jobs would be in jeopardy. Ponga deserves protection from a thug such as Waerea-Hargreaves.
The Knights led 32-6 after the dramatic hit on Ponga and an Edrick Lee try extended their lead soon after.
The Roosters managed a late morale boosting try yet the night ended with David Klemmer, after a cheeky infringement, marching to the sin bin with the raucous cheers of the crowd in his ears.
Nathan Brown can coach! Wow, who’d have thunk it. Oh, and by the way, Newcastle are well and truly in the eight!
Newcastle Knights coach Nathan Brown
In the earlier clash at Lottoland, the Sea Eagles sought their 7th win from 11 matches and the opportunity to continue the defiance of much pre-season doubt around their chances in 2019.
An under pressure Gold Coast side stood in their way and Garth Brennan had toes and fingers crossed in the hope that his team would finally play to their potential and reputations.
Things started poorly for Manly, with the Titans enjoying the best of the opening minutes. A risky flick pass saw momentum shift and Jorge Taufau opened the scoring in the corner after a penalty had gifted the Sea Eagles a repeat set.
The Titans knuckled down through the middle period of the first half and when AJ Brimson broke the line and seemed destined to score, Brendon Elliot made a superb try-saving tackle.
What followed was a joke. Elliot performed the most professional of professional fouls and conceded the penalty. Two very soft referees allowed him to stay on the field and the Titans’ momentum was halted.
Moments later the ball was spilled by the Gold Coast, as they raided the try line. Dylan Walker scooped up the dregs and sent Reuben Garrick into the clear to establish a 12-0 Sea Eagles’ lead, thanks to some rather weak officiating.
Frankly, I am getting sick of the inaction.
It went from bad to worse for the visitors soon after, as Walker broke the line. Despite his pass to Kane Elgey being ruled forward with the try line open, the signs indicated that Manly was taking a clear ascendancy.
Rather bravely, the Titans resisted and found a late try down the left edge to Dale Copley and another to Brimson in the 39th minute. The Sea Eagles lead 12-10 at half time.
Early in the second half the Titans found the line again when Tyrone Roberts scored after eight minutes and Lottoland stopped cheering and began grumbling. It was not the way the night was meant to unfold.
Copley scored again in the 56th minute. The conversion had the Titans comfortable at 20-12. Four minutes later, Copley was over for his third and the Titans had a 26-12 lead.
Brad Parker’s try in the 65th minute brought the Eagles closer, but always remember the Titans.
A try to Bryce Cartwright and Roberts’ second, built a 36-18 score line and a much needed win for the Gold Coast.
Dr Des will head back to the drawing board after one of Manly’s less enthusiastic performances in 2019. Newcastle will be cock-a-hoop and the Roosters will feel like feather dusters on Monday morning.
Supa
Roar Rookie
Wow Insider you smashed your own television set over a game of league.. You sure showed them
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Yes it is that one. I thought it couldn't get any more ridiculous and then he does that. What would he have to do to get 10 in the bin for a first offence on the day? Refs boss said don't wait for several penalties , march them on the 1st offence.
db
Guest
Are you referring to the tackle a few metres out from the try-line? I have seen plenty of tackles where it's obvious they are holding on, waiting for the whistle but this tackle took the cake. It was beyond ridiculous. Even worse, the defensive line was set and there was no need to slow the ruck yet he still held on for about 5 minutes. Truly, one of the dumbest plays we'll see this year.
Kathryn
Guest
Manly are the only side to have been the Bunnies this season- can't be too bad. I'll stick with Des's record, rather than Nathan Brown's. As all of the commentators have said this year, Manly have succeeded with a bunch of no- names, & millions of dollars sitting on the sidelines. You might need to go back to counting your chickens.....
Morshead
Roar Rookie
Correction – did NOT make a NRL Grand Final appearance. My web research mixed up his second place finish in minor prem in 2005 as a second place overall.
Morshead
Roar Rookie
Spot on. Not to mention an NRL grand final appearance. Multiple finals appearances. Super League GF winner. It has also been argued that he built the foundations of the team that Bennett won in 2010 with.
Insider
Roar Rookie
I’m sorry question time has closed please try again during business hours
Insider
Roar Rookie
Again question time is closed, please come back during business hours
Insider
Roar Rookie
I’m sorry question time is closed, please try again during business hours
Morshead
Roar Rookie
Sherlock. How is a first contact hit around the chest a head slam? His head slammed into the ground but not because of any intent. Probably because the guy tackling him was twice his size and good a very well timed shot on. But keep enlightening us.
Morshead
Roar Rookie
Again Sherlock. Do some research champ. At least have correct facts to make uneducated opinions with.
Morshead
Roar Rookie
Hey Sherlock, tell us which THREE years Brown coached a spoon. While you're at it, tell us which entire season he didn't get a win?
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
There is something wrong with Hargreaves, his earlier grabbing of Ponga by the throat on the ground while looking around for half an hour was ludicrous and he should have gone to the bin. The reason he is still doing this sort of rubbish and getting worse is because they have let him get away with it for years.
Knight Vision
Guest
Brown cant coach at all. All of the following players have turned regressed under his tuition Levi few NRL games - NZ test debut Ross few NRL games - City Rep D Saifiti NRL debut - Emerging Blues and Fiji rep J Saifiti NRL debut - Fiji rep Griffin - Storm bench player - NZ rep Fitzgibbon - Fringe NRL player- to one of the NRL's best young backrowers Barnett - Fringe NRL player to Newcastle player of the year Ese Ese- Fringe NRL player- NZ test debut Ponga - "Newcastle paid too much " - Superstar Yeh Browny cant coach at all.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
Even the best teams can't be UP every week in a 25 week competition plus finals. Besides, halves inspire forwards and keep them honest and give them a rocket where needed. They also control and direct the team and field position through their kicking game. With the Roosters missing BOTH their halves don't underestimate the impact that had on the rest of the team. That said, Robbo did shoot himself in the foot opting to rest Cronk. Lesson learned I think.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
"Proves there are no easy games any more, if you’re not ready, you’re in trouble." There never are if teams get complacent or give away too much possession and play in poor field position. That's what makes sport, sport and not tic tac toe. The outcome isn't predictable. I have even posted as much recently referencing the stories recently about the competition being a 3 horse race and comparing that statement to the results so far this round. Look at Souths tonight losing Reynolds. If he is out long-term that will impact Souths' form. THAT is RL. Other teams are suffering similar losses and worse. That is why teams can't afford to put all their eggs in one basket, like the chooks. As for insulting the Knights, I also made similar comments about other wins this season when teams were decimated with injury. Most notably the Broncos win over Manly in "Magic Round" when at one point Manly were reduced to 13 vs 17. Was I insulting the Broncos then with that assessment? Besides, I have rapped the Knights and their fans deluxe on this site on many occasions so swings and roundabouts. Don't take the compliments if you aren't prepared for the criticism. Still, good luck to the Knights and their fans but they have a tough road ahead IF the Storm, the Rabbitohs and the Broncos are at full strength and not weakened by Origin.
db
Guest
Keary and Cronk still would have struggled behind a well beaten forward pack. The Knights dominated the middle third in attack and defense. It's hard to reconcile last night's effort and aggression with what they dished up a few weeks ago against the Titans.
Nunnsy
Guest
To be honest of course cronk and keary would have helped them in attack. But the knights dominated the contest it was not like the only just scraped home. Of course the rabbits and storm are going to be a big test but if they keep playing the way they have been they will go close. Have to massively disagree with connor watson i rate him highly and he did create spark when he come on .Which was brownys plan anyway just happened a bit earlier than expected. He is not in the same class as levi in defence,passing or work rate. Not sure if you noticed but ponga , pierce, mann were jumping into dummy half to get him to last the game out. I think connor is a game breaker but best for short stints of the bench if playing hooker.
Larry1950
Guest
That's insulting to the Knights, their efforts & execution Papi Smurf. Fair enough, a few things didn't go right for them but it was the Rooster's coach who decided to rest Cronk. Same as the week before, all the excuses about 5 day turnaround & travel. From my observations, Mitchell has his mind on more than footy at the moment, he was right out of sorts and wanted to niggle before he earned the right, unlike when he has done it in the past when having a cracker of a game. Thought JWH has been given latitude again this week by refs, the tackle was ok but Napa got outed for using his head & JWH has tried that in both games when the opposition has been on top, lucky it didn't properly connect. As for Manly, those first 2 tries didn't come from great play & they got the bounce of the ball so a turn around was no surprise. Proves there are no easy games any more, if you're not ready, you're in trouble.
Merv
Roar Rookie
The Roosters lack of depth and a glut of possession for the Knights was always going to be too much for the Roosters. The Roosters don't seem to have anyone capable of directing the play with Cronk and Keary off the field. If Radley is a dummy half then Blocker Roach is a fullback.Ponga mentioned something about playing for the All Black a while back. Can we ban him from Origin lol Freddy is going to have nightmares trying to find a way to contain Ponga during Origin