Newcastle Knights
28
Match Complete
Canberra Raiders
28
| 78 |  | J. Fogarty | ||
| 77 |  | T. Starling | ||
| 66 | | J. Fogarty | ||
| 64 | | M. Frawley | ||
| K. Ponga | | 63 | ||
| D. Young | | 62 | ||
| D. Gagai | | 56 | ||
| K. Ponga | | 55 | ||
| D. Young | | 54 | ||
| K. Ponga | | 49 | ||
| K. Ponga | | 47 | ||
| 39 | | J. Fogarty | ||
| 39 | | J. Schiller | ||
| 31 | | T. Mooney | ||
| 20 | | J. Fogarty | ||
| 18 | | J. Schiller | ||
| K. Ponga | | 6 | ||
| G. Marzhew | | 5 |
| 5 | Tries | 5 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 4 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The first round of the finals comes to an end this afternoon when the Newcastle Knights take on the Canberra Raiders at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:05pm (AEST).
The second elimination final of the weekend sees the high flying Knights take on the wounded Raiders. It sounds like a mismatch and that is exactly what Ricky Stuart wants us to think.
The Knights go for ten wins in a row when they play the Raiders. In the last game of their regular season, they dismantled the Dragons 32-12. The Dragons were average but Newcastle showed they can win, and win well, without Kalyn Ponga.
The Knights have always had a strong pack on paper, and are finally playing to their potential. This is allowing a solid halves pairing to create opportunities for a classy backline, featuring Ponga, Bradman Best and Dominic Young.
Ponga, Jackson Hastings and Lachlan Fitzgibbon return from injury whilst a number of rested players are back. Mat Croker left for a late HIA against the Dragons but has been named to play.
The Raiders got in the grind against the Sharks last weekend but were eventually outgunned 24-6. The send off of Sebastian Kris didn’t help the Raiders plight but momentum had swung by that point.
Canberra’s strength is their pack but of their big 3, Corey Horsburgh and Josh Papali’i are watching from the sideline. A lot of pressure is on Joseph Tapine to get momentum in the middle.
With Kris out for 5 games. James Schiller comes in on the wing. Albert Hopoate and Jarrod Croker have both been named in the reserves so there may be late changes.
Prediction
Ricky Stuart will like the underdog tag and his team will build a siege mentality this week. However, on paper at least, they look to be beaten across the park.
In front of a big home crowd, I don’t think the Knights will let this one slip. Knights by 10
Game information
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
Kick-off: 4:05pm (AEST)
TV: Nine, Fox Sports
Streaming: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Knights $1.20 Raiders $4.60 – odds via PlayUp
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. Daniel Saifiti 16. Jack Hetherington 17. Mathew Croker 18. Adam Clune 19. Lachlan Miller 20. Dylan Lucas 21. Enari Tuala 22. Brodie Jones
Raiders: Jordan Rapana 2. James Schiller 3. Jack Wighton 4. Matthew Timoko 5. Nick Cotric 6. Matt Frawley 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Ata Mariota 9. Zac Woolford 10. Joseph Tapine 11. Hudson Young 12. Elliott Whitehead 13. Hohepa Puru 14. Tom Starling 15. Emre Guler 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Trey Mooney 18. Jarrod Croker 19. Albert Hopoate 20. Danny Levi 21. Ethan Strange 22. Xavier Savage
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
All good Taree. That's the best I've seen Starling play for a long time. And Eliot Whitehead. In fact I'd be struggling to find a Raiders player that put in a bad game. Just shows what we are capable of when some of the young blokes are given a chance and they throw the ball around a bit. Plus our defence was awesome. There would have been some pretty sore Knights players after that game. A fair bit to look forward to in 2024. Guess I'll have to keep that membership for another year!
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Sticky’s a bum.
Taree Raider
Roar Rookie
Geoff, I said to the wife before the game, the Knights will win by 30 or we will win by one. What a great game of Rugby League. I couldn't be more proud of the Raiders. They missed Kriss, Horsburgh & Papalii. But Mooney, Mariota & Schiller were very good. You should have Kayo so you can watch Fox Sports. Michael Innes in the pre-game said, Ricky has to inject Starling into the game earlier. He must have rang Ricky, because Ricky has taken no notice of that fact for the whole season. Starling was great, he made such a difference to our team. I think you underestimated how good he actually is. It was gold to see his reaction kissing his Raiders emblem after he scored. He comes from Knights territory. Your point about Gamble being offside was spot on, but that is the shit that we usually get dished out. I just so happy with how good the Raiders played. The future looks bright, a lot of young talent. Savage for fullback for me next year. He is a definite X factor.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
No. You are right. In this game the Raiders weren't out of their depth. The game could have gone either way. If the Raiders had Papalii, Horsbourgh and Kris they probably would have one. Likewise if Jack had been fed before the game. I can see Souths will have to buy a muzzle for Jack... (Jack Russell). I was referring to facing the Panthers, Broncos and Storm. The Warriors without SJ shouldn't be anywhere near as much of a threat. The Knights may win that one. But the defence of the Broncos and Panthers will suffocate and frustrate the rest of the teams. Commiserations. You can be proud of the Raiders performance and a very respectable narrow loss. They had a good season. The Raiders gave both Wighton and Croker a memorable finish to their time in Canberra.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
But they weren't out of their depth GB. Even if the form guide suggested they would be. There was a cigarette paper the difference in the end after 90 minutes.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
Thanks Geoff. We will need to be much better than we were on Friday. We, certainly, can't be any worse. Look forward to battling you, again, next year.
Redcap
Roar Guru
There's an even simpler fix - hit mute and turn the radio on.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Thanks Danielle - amazing effort from both teams. This was the game that was expected to be the most one sided in the Knights favour and ended up being one of the closest and one of the best. Either side was deserving of a win. Great game.
SPM
Roar Rookie
It’s a simple fix just don’t let former players or coaches commentate games in which they have had some involvement with one or both of the clubs. Might struggle to find anyone to work Roosters games at Nine and Fox, could provide the opportunity to diversify across the various commentary teams
Danielle Smith
Editor
Commiserations Geoff, your boys pushed us all the way today and never gave up. It was a fantastic effort from both teams in a game that had everything. Sorry we couldn’t both win! You should be very proud of your Raiders.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
All the best to you too Stormy - hope you knock off the Roosters next weekend.
Stormy
Roar Rookie
No-one could call them faders today, Goeff. They played the way that they, usually, play against us & they, so nearly got there. All the best to you, & your team, over the off season.
Muzz Manyana
Roar Rookie
Great game,. Congrats Knights.
Collie Flower
Roar Rookie
Agree, have to enjoy the success of finals contention as it's tough to make the Top 8. I'm happy for Penrith fans enjoying their team's elite performance and success these past few years. Also happy for the Broncos turning things around and rivalling the Panthers as premiership favourites this year. I hope the Warriors continue nurturing pathways to grow future success. The Warriors get Roger and Chanel back in 2024, plus many good players don't come off contract until 2025, so I think there can be a lot of optimism and higher expectation placed on them to have an amazing 2024 season. The Warriors should be proud of finishing the regular season in the Top 4. Getting into a preliminary final and beyond would be a bonus this year.
Bloke7
Roar Rookie
Raiders DNA mentioned about 7 times....journos failed to press on the biting allegations or the strip penalty...shame on them.
Bloke7
Roar Rookie
Here we go... Ricky conference on now!
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Thanks Stormy. Just really proud of the way they fought until the end. Lots of good signs with some of the young blokes coming through with Mariota, Mooney and Schiller. They all gave everything. Including Jack who gave his all which is being overshadowed by the biting allegation.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
You come to expect that with Joe Tapine. Absolute legend. Couldn't believe how well the Raiders hung in there - Knights going for their tenth straight - at home with 30,000 rabid supporters. Raiders missing Papalii, Horsburgh and Kris. Lose their lock Puru in the 5th minute. Knights up 28-16 with all the momentum. And the Raiders level it. Ch9 and Fox giving no credit to how well the Raiders came back. Fantastic game of rugby league. Knights were very lucky to get away with the win.
danwain
Roar Rookie
Honestly, has form too...
Redcap
Roar Guru
Still can't believe anybody listens to TV commentators, unless they're unaware ABC Radio's coverage exists.