Newcastle’s late season resurrection has continued with a dominant 28-6 win over a lacklustre Canberra, moving the Knights to the edge of the top eight with six games to play.
Indeed, they are now just one win behind the Raiders, who were dreadful and will surely be looking over their shoulders.
Adam O’Brien moves to four wins on the bounce in July, with a series of eminently winnable fixtures coming up. Their fans, who turned up in big numbers in the nation’s capital, still believe.
Kalyn Ponga was the star, as he usually is when things go right for Newcastle, opening the scoring and laying on three line break assists. There was a minor scare as he departed for a HIA late on, but returned to complete the match.
“I’ll admit that I did,” said O’Brien when asked if he thought of keeping Ponga off.
“But there’s just a flow to them at the moment and they love playing footy, he deserved to be part of what he set up in the first half. There’s a bit of a rhythm to us at the moment, so I just enjoyed watching it.
“There’s certainly some stuff in the second half, we lost our way a little bit but this side is getting better at pulling itself out of that situation and getting back on track.”
Everything is looking up for the Knights, but the same could not be said for Ricky Stuart. His side were second best last week in Auckland and rescued themselves with a miraculous comeback, but were no better today and consistently failed to generate any pressure with the ball.
Though they were regularly able to get into good position, the Knights were able to defend with ease as the Raiders cycled between innocuous hit-ups and slow shifts.
Canberra might well have enough runs on the board to still make the Finals, but on current form, they wouldn’t last long in the post-season.
“It was a very bad day,” said Stuart.
“We’ve had three months of tough, grinding football, and seen good results to get us into a really good position on the table.
“We’ve got to get going again. It’s not us, we certainly won’t be looking for any soft excuses.”
Newcastle ran out comfortable winners in the end, with their best work done before the break and the game seen out fairly easily thereafter.
Impressive as the Knights were in attack, their defence was barely tested by a Canberra side that has often lacked inspiration this year.
The Raiders have a much-vaunted ability to win close games, but that has often masked their struggles to put points on the board, and better offensive sides would likely have turned tight finishes into wide ones.
They average just under four line breaks a game, the worst in the NRL, but have often been rescued by their excellent defence and Jamal Fogarty’s short kicking game, which has often given them something to defend.
Canberra’s first good bell set, in the 25th minute, told the story: the Raiders took three settlers, went slowly wide right and then left on the last, with Dom Young easily dumping Albert Hopoate into touch. Not a single question was asked of the defence.
There were few men in motion, allowing the Knights to shuffle along as the ball moved, and not enough speed to get around.
Sticky has often focussed on defence in recent years, which has made the Raiders competitive in almost every game, but they lack the creativity to really challenge. It was ruthlessly exposed today.
This was a superb Newcastle performance – built on both flair and grit. The attacking formula is working well, with the spine combining well and the wingers on red hot form both in yardage and finishing.
Style is great, but it doesn’t come without effort and, from the start, it was clear how committed the Knights were.
Greg Marzhew’s try in the first half was a masterclass in execution from both Ponga and Bradman Best inside, but the reason Newcastle had the football in the first place was because of a superb piece of desperation from Phoenix Crossland, who raced fastest to claim aa loose ball he had no right to get to.
Late in the match, with the result done, they were still putting their bodies on the line with desperate tackles to deny Hudson Young, then Corey Horsburgh in consecutive plays.
It speaks to the culture that seems to be in place in the Hunter. For a team that was on the brink of sacking their coach, it’s clear that the players back their boss and are buying in. They’re fighting for everything at the moment.
It’s that which has driven the superb run that they are on. The building blocks were always there, and the Knights have a really clear style of play that O’Brien has drilled into his team.
The execution has been poor at times, which is why Newcastle are where they are, but the potential has always existed and is now coming to the fore.
When the wingers run hard, they start sets well, and when Jackson Hastings and Ponga combine, they end them well too. It’s a potent mix at the moment, and far too good for Canberra.
Taree Raider
Roar Rookie
Geoff, I feel your pain. As a fan all I expect is for the team to have a red hot go. I really don't care if we win or loose. Winning's great, but if we try our best & loose, so be it. For the life of me I can't understand why in the first 10 minutes of the game our forwards aren't hurting the opposition in defence. Look at our team, they don't they appear listless & going through their paces. Why, why, why does Tom Starling sit on the bench for 55 minutes??????? Bring him on at least 15 minutes before half time, he is quick, can defend & adds spark to the side. Woolford wouldn't get a start at the Queenbeyan Blues reserve grade if he wasn't one of Ricky's favourites. Jarrod Croker, good on you for playing 300 games. You have done a good job, your however unable to defend at NRL level, your too slow & don't pass the ball, on the rare occasion that you do, it's caught by the winger as he is bundled into touch. You are on allegedly 700K, you may get a start in Regies at Queenbeyan if your lucky. If they re-sign Jarrod next year I'm done. Savage is the one back who is a real threat in attack, however regardless of his current injury, there was no hope of him being picked in the side. Why, why, why. I think I know the answer. Ricky really can't coach. He has no idea, never has, never will. Ricky can't be told, he is always right & if things don't turn out he honestly believes that it's everyone else's fault. Ricky plays favourites, he never picks the best team on form. The Raiders squad overall is very good. Starling, CHN, Mooney & Savage are must's for this side into the future. I really think that if Ricky didn't train the squad at all during the week they couldn't play any worse. Could they? There is no attack whatsoever in the Raiders. It is embarrassing. Ricky you are embarrassing. Ever thought about quitting?
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Was expecting the loss to the Warriors away last week - and the effort to come back in the final 5 minutes was great - but some of the performances on their home track this season have been embarrassing and inexcusable. Ricky is aware of these poor performances at home but seems powerless to correct it - even if he says he knows what the problems are. You don't mind losing if the team puts in and are beaten by a better team - which the Knights and others have been this season. But some of these listless performances in front of decent home crowds will just turn people away. The line speed in defence yesterday was non existent from the first minute to the last.
Cugel
Roar Rookie
Turning it inside and bashing up the middle, if that worked one in 20 times, might be worth it. But it never works. But somehow, we've had an appalling defensive record but scored enough points to win 11 games. It just seems to be either one or the other, annoyingly the bad one often now comes at home, and I have to sit through it.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Where's the player's head at to miss the drop out clock ?
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Been happening for years - but somehow we seem to grind out close wins through defence and attitude - and tries through kicks and opportunistic plays. There is no attacking structure at all. We badly need a real 5/8 - not a running utility player - and a full back who can link up in attack. Fogarty has had some good games with his kicking but I reckon you could count his try assists through passing this season on one hand. And we badly miss the fit version of Josh Hodgson at dummy half. Woolford at least has the forwards firing through the middle but he is as clueless as the rest of them in attack. We must have a lot of cash to spend with Hodgson gone and Jack going. But who would want to play with a mob who just makes it up as they go along?
Randy
Roar Rookie
we either score off kicks or crash balls near the line, just very, very mundane and unskillful stuff. Stuart and his attacking coach- if he has one need to come up with better than that..
Albo
Roar Rookie
The Knights full spine is on fire at present . The rest just need to do their job. Full of confidence as Ponga is leading the way with plenty of involvement. Crossland is turning into a perfect 9. And both halves are not overplaying their hands. They have a decent draw to finish off the season and should finish in front of a few 'touted top 8 teams'.
NQR
Roar Rookie
Fogart is a quality escort and milker of a penalty from what I’ve seen. That combined with 94% goal kicking and FG’s under pressure. These things win close games Maybe Ricky’s team is a little past their prime in some positions? Maybe youngsters should have been given more opportunities? Savage, Schneider, Valemei and Mooney.
NQR
Roar Rookie
It’s taken a while but I think these two teams are now preforming to my expectations. The Knights are very capable and the Raiders position on the ladder is probably a fraudulent indication of their capabilities. Oh well at least my tips are saying so this weekend.
NQR
Roar Rookie
Bali was a good reset for them obviously.
Scar82
Roar Rookie
Yep they have not attacked well for nearly four years since that GF in 2019. Very boring to watch and they score of the back of defence pressure where they make the opposition cause mistakes and they pounce on the fortunes of individualism. They need to be better. They need to find their mojo like when they would run from their own half of the field and really challenge for a try. I feel we need player rotation as well. Elliot his done. We need trey Mooney coming in played well against St George I think. Needs more first grade time. Croker his been good but not sure who else can play centre well. HArley smith shields is not 1st grade quality at this stage needs more time. We lost valemei and now look how his playing well outside a good attacking half like dearden and full back like drink water. Ricky has to take responsibility to be honest. We need to function in attack.
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Trying to work out how you can jump at a guy whose feet are on the ground, lift your leg and raise your studs into his groin area and still win the penalty. Marty take notes...
RooBoy18
Roar Rookie
Despite the last 2 losses I think the Raiders are performing to expectations when you consider their injuries and the slow start to the season. Newcastle were red hot today and the Warriors are always hard to beat at home. They are not a top 4 side but should string enough wins to make the finals. Come September anything can happen.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Its amazing that the Raiders are still sitting fifth on the table. They've won a number of close games purely on effort and off the cuff plays by individuals. You wonder what coaching drills they do all week. I suspect they just muck around playing touch footy or something to pass the time. There is simply no evidence that they have any set plays in the red zone when they are 20 metres from the line. Just one out bash plays by the forwards - one after another. They are absolutely clueless in attack. And Ricky is responsible for all of this. As you say a wonderful creative player in his day but his teams just play bog ordinary, grinding, uninspiring, boring rugby league. Used to love watching Canberra when BJ Leilua and Jordan Rapana were in their prime. But Ricky has coached any excitement out of this team. He wouldn't select Xavier Savage despite him being the most exciting back in the squad. CHN kept getting dropped before his seizure despite him being our most creative backrower. Trey Mooney is our most promising young forward along with Ata Moriata but is still stuck in the reserves. Incredibly depressing to watch as a supporter.
bear54
Canberra are clueless in attack. Same six players to the left, same six players to the right. No extra players drift to the attack side to create an overlap and outnumber the defence. This is a Paul McGregor-level lack of creativity. Jack Wighton is a freak of an athlete but, as already acknowledged by his next team, he's no 5/8 and all Fogerty has, is a bomb or a grubber. When it comes to line breaks; if Rapana doesn't, then no one does. I'm stunned that a team coached by one of the great halves can't teach his side to create an overlap???? Most tries this season have been scored more due to good luck than good management. Whoever the attack coach is, he's employed on false pretences..... and yes, there's a couple or three players who are past there best.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Sheesh I dunno whats happening in Newcastle. Attacking with intent. Defending well. Phoenix Crossland. Its so much better than that inconsistent piffle they trotted out throughout the year. Again apologies to AOB for some of the nastier things Ive said about you. You dont carry the aroma of hyena excrement.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
As someone posted during the game they are a real Jekyll and Hyde team - you just don't know if you are going to get the good Raiders or the bad. They are so poor in attack. Its really hard to watch. I pay my members fees to see some effort but there wasn't much evidence of it today.
Ian_
Roar Rookie
This is a lot of the reason why I haven't been to a Raiders game for years. My complete lack of confidence that the team will show up and put in a decent effort. I'd rather save my $50 (?) and watch on TV or just ignore it and check later on what misery I avoided.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
There was an awful amount of non effort out there today from experienced players, Geoff.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
I can feel AOB's pain when the club's best player is taken from the field a minimum of 12 mins., for an HIA when the necessary required symptoms are not obvious. The inherent danger in that tackle demanded far greater punishment than a free kick.