Newcastle Knights
28
Match Complete
Brisbane Broncos
20
| 73 |  | J. Isaako | ||
| 72 |  | H. Farnworth | ||
| 68 | | J. Isaako | ||
| 66 | | X. Willison | ||
| E. Tuala | | 62 | ||
| J. Clifford | | 59 | ||
| M. Barnett | | 58 | ||
| J. Clifford | | 46 | ||
| L. Fitzgibbon | | 45 | ||
| J. Clifford | | 38 | ||
| M. Pearce | | 37 | ||
| 25 | | C. Oates | ||
| J. Clifford | | 21 | ||
| J. Clifford | | 19 | ||
| 12 | | T. Niu |
| 5 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 21 of the NRL season begins with the Newcastle Knights fighting to keep their finals hopes alive against the Brisbane Broncos. Don’t miss a moment with our live scores page on The Roar from 7:50pm (AEST).
The Knights face the Broncos twice in the run to finals, and despite Brisbane’s recent improvement, would be confident of winning both to keep themselves right in the hunt for a top-eight spot. Last week’s win over the in-form Raiders reinvigorated their finals hopes, but conceding two late tries means they’re still fighting against a terrible points differential of -147.
In a welcome boost, Mitchell Pearce is all but certain to return after his three-week layoff with a hamstring injury. That shift Phoenix Crossland back to the reserves, while captain Jayden Brailey has been rested. That means gun fullback Kalyn Ponga will lead the Knights for the first, but probably not the last, time.
The Broncos might sit second-last, but there has been plenty to like about their recent efforts. After a sturdy showing against the Panthers, the Broncos piled on the points against crosstown rivals the Cowboys for a 37-18 win, which now all but guarantees they’ll avoid the dreaded wooden spoon.
Kotoni Staggs’ knee injury has left his season in doubt, with Jesse Arthars coming into the side, while an ankle injury also has sidelined Jake Turpin.
Game information
Kick-off: 7:50pm (AEST)
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
TV: Channel Nine, Fox League
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel GO
Betting: Knights $1.24, Broncos $4.20 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Newcastle Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga (c), 2. Enari Tuala, 3. Kurt Mann, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Hymel Hunt, 6. Jake Clifford, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. Jacob Saifiti, 9. Chris Randall, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Mitchell Barnett, 13. Connor Watson
Bench/Reserves: 14. Sauaso Sue, 15. David Klemmer, 16. Josh King, 17. Brodie Jones | 18. Phoenix Crossland, 19. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
Brisbane Broncos
1. Tesi Niu, 2. Corey Oates, 3. Jesse Arthars, 4. Herbie Farnworth, 5. Jamayne Isaako, 6. Tyson Gamble, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Keenan Palasia, 9. Danny Levi, 10. Payne Haas, 11. Alex Glenn (c), 12. Jordan Riki, 13. Kobe Hetherington
Bench/Reserves: 14. Xavier Willison, 15. Rhys Kennedy, 16. Ethan Bullemor, 19. Albert Kelly | 17. TC Robati, 18. David Mead
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
:laughing:
The Barry
Roar Guru
Just because some passes aren’t forwards doesn’t mean none are That was forwards out of the hands and traveled four metres forward…
Nunnsy
Guest
Decent effort from the broncos they tried hard. Knights really missed brailey would have been a different game if they did not rest him. Randall did well for a reserve grade hooker who has not played for a long time. In the end knights did enough to win the only really lifted the intensity for a 10-15 min period until they went 20 in front then cruised.
Rellum
Roar Guru
He contributed to that no ball, and when we did have it the outside backs never saw the ball. As soon as Kelly came on that changed.
Walter Black
Guest
I am far from being a Croft fan and in fact, I think he is scarcely NRL standard at all however I thought he had a reasonable game tonight showing much more effort than I have seen from him in previous games.
Walter Black
Guest
The Broncos might be losing, their play might be error riddled and their ladder position might be woeful but gee they are playing way better than last year. They showed heart, their defence was great in patches and their tries were beauties. A lot better than the disorganised, half hearted, uninterested pathetic performances of last year. Walters has a lot of work to do and it may take some time yet but they are definitely headed in the right direction
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
He had a style to his comments which was unique, I don't think he's popped up under another name
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
I would have seen you both if that was the case !
elvis
Roar Rookie
momentum. Wasn't that you giving a physics class on it last year?
elvis
Roar Rookie
The reward for a great attacking kick is to get scored against at the other end.
elvis
Roar Rookie
Coates isn't going to be there next year, why waste the opportunity to give experience to someone who is going to be there next year? Isakko and Oates are both getting better with game time next to the people inside them. Kevvie is actually showing some balls here. Good on him. Or as Ivan would say "get off my ****** bus"
elvis
Roar Rookie
No, that was made up for in one of the Knight's forward pass tries.
elvis
Roar Rookie
Ah yes it is Best's fault. You can't tackle someone without the ball. It is never in Isakko's possession so Best can never make legal tackle. It's a penalty all day.
elvis
Roar Rookie
They both started level, one of them got to the ball, one of them didn't. How can you say he couldn't have stopped the try? Anyway that isn't what the call should be made on, you can't tackle someone without the ball. Look at Too in the origin all you need is a hand
William Dalton Davis
Roar Rookie
I’ll sit through 100 Ennis games and if given the choice would sit through 100 more if it meant not having to listen to blocker.
elvis
Roar Rookie
They are definitely improving though. Also without their best back.
elvis
Roar Rookie
Maybe he's taking a break, I do it to curb my tendency to argue with everyone. :-)
Greg
Roar Pro
not sure how youre blaming Croft. Broncos had no ball when he was out there.
elvis
Roar Rookie
What a joke, I lost interest after the bunker ruled holding a player back from the time he was level with the try scorer until the guy scored wasn't material. I can understand the bunker going either way on a fingertip call, but how can it miss one player draped all over one trying to go for the ball? The Broncos aren't good enough to stop this kind of momentum shift. On the bright side they didn't give up 50 after a bad call.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Croft is gone according to the grapevine so what do you guys get from playing him . I don't get it.