Dolphins
28
Match Complete
Newcastle Knights
30
| J. Isaako |  | 74 | ||
| C. Lemuelu |  | 73 | ||
| 71 | | K. Ponga | ||
| 69 | | G. Marzhew | ||
| 59 | | K. Ponga | ||
| 58 | | P. Crossland | ||
| 54 | | K. Ponga | ||
| 53 | | J. Hastings | ||
| S. O'Sullivan | | 50 | ||
| V. T. Whare | | 49 | ||
| J. Isaako |  | 42 | ||
| 36 | | K. Ponga | ||
| 35 | | K. Mann | ||
| S. O'Sullivan | | 33 | ||
| J. Isaako | | 31 | ||
| J. Isaako | | 26 | ||
| J. Isaako | | 23 | ||
| 12 | | K. Ponga | ||
| 11 | | K. Ponga |
| 5 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 5 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
NRL action heads to Western Australia as the Dolphins and the Newcastle Knights battle against each other at Optus Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:30pm AEST.
The Dolphins’ chances of finals football have become extremely slim following a one point loss to the Bulldogs.
A knee injury to Euan Aitken has forced utility Kodi Nikorima in the centres, with Anthony Milford named in the halves while Isaiya Katoa makes the Dolphins bench.
The Knights are on a great run of form since losing to the Panthers. Kalyn Ponga is running the show from fullback alongside the support of his halves in Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings.
With Daniel Saifiti still sidelined due to injury, Knights coach Adam O’Brien has chosen the same 17 that got the job done in Canberra.
Prediction
Optus Stadium has been a high scoring game in the State of Origin games played there, and one expects that trend to continue which would favour the Knights more than the Dolphins. Knights by 14
Game information
Venue: Optus Stadium
Kick-off: 5.30pm (AEST)
TV: Fox Sports
Streaming: Kayo Sports
Odds: Dolphins $3.20, Knights $1.35 – odds via PlayUp
Dolphins: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Kodi Nikorima 4. Valynce Te Whare 5. Tesi Niu 6. Anthony Milford 7. Sean O’Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Mark Nicholls 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Connelly Lemuelu 13. Kenny Bromwich 14. Herman Ese’ese 15. Josh Kerr 16. Isaiya Katoa 17. Jarrod Wallace 18. Max Plath 19. Trai Fuller 20. Poasa Faamausili 21. Ray Stone 22. Jack Bostock
Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Leo Thompson 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Adam Elliott 14. Kurt Mann 15. Brodie Jones 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Dylan Lucas 19. Enari Tuala 20. Simi Sasagi 21. Dane Aukafolau 22. Jack Johns
Panthers
Roar Rookie
Another win for the Knights. Well done Newcastle!!! Other than for the 10 minutes, when they were a player down . They looked the more likely to Win. A bit dodgy here & there , still came back & held on. Wayne hasn’t been able to improve the Dolphins on line defence much . A couple of Knights tries were virtually walked in . They can fix that , with buying more & more good players. Which they are doing.
Panthers
Roar Rookie
There’s a way to fix that. Don’t clearly hold onto him, when coming out of the scrum. How about them knocking the ball out of Best’s hands before that ? How about the double penalties to allow the Dolphins to score before that. Plus tripping a defender over. Don’t worry about any of that .
Pedro
Roar Rookie
Matth if you are are a Philn’s man you were very unlucky with that last penalty.That happens every second scrum and hasn’t been penalised for years. Worse is that there was a high tackle which would have golden point.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Of course, and I have no idea when that was last penalised. Only madness lies in trying to look for rhyme or reason - of any sort - in refereeing decisions.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
You guys hang in and hang in . It's really impressive. Just lack a little class. Farmnworth and Fleg will help big time.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Thank you all for joining the blog. Off to a short break and I'll be back for the final game of tonight - Rabbitohs v Sharks.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
FT DOL 28 NEW 30 As of now, the Knights are now up to sixth on the NRL ladder. In what was a high scoring thriller in Perth, it was the WA born boy Kalyn Ponga with a masterclass that has led to a two point victory over a resilient Dolphins side. I thought Katoa was brilliant for the Dolphins today. Unfortunately that was not enough for the “hosts”. And with that, the Dolphins’ chances of playing finals football is all but over. The trip to Perth took a toll on both teams, but the two points is all that matters.
matth
Roar Guru
That scrum penalty, tell me the last time you’ve seen that one pulled down off the shelf. I’m just getting bitter. Losses by one and now two finish our season
Snoopy
Roar Rookie
More like decades.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
The full time whistle blows and that's it. Knights win!
Redcap
Roar Guru
Is that Rob or Matt? Are they two sides of the same coin? :shocked:
matth
Roar Guru
Poor pass from Kuafusi
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
79-80' Knights shift left but Best knocks on. Dolphins shift right as the clock runs out. Shift left on three and then right but Te Whare knocks on! And that should be game over
matth
Roar Guru
Don’t worry, the refs are on the case
Pedro
Roar Rookie
You don’t have to be dead to be stiff.
matth
Roar Guru
Well that makes sure the game finishes well for the knights. Pulls out a penalty that I haven’t seen in seasons
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
78' Penalty Knights for a crusher by Kaufusi. Fitzgibbon gets back up. Gamble finds touch just past halfway DOL 28 NEW 30
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
77' Penalty Knights as Ese'ese is judged to have held on Thompson after the scrum breaks. Dolphins challenge the call. The challenge is unsuccessful. Get out of jail card for the Knights. Touch found just out of their 30 DOL 28 NEW 30
74
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
77' Knock on from Best. No challenges left as it's Dolphins feed 10 out DOL 28 NEW 30