Knights
32
Match Complete
Bulldogs
16
| 76 |  | K. Flanagan | ||
| 75 |  | D. Watene-Zelezniak | ||
| M. Barnett |  | 72 | ||
| M. Barnett | | 56 | ||
| B. Best | | 54 | ||
| M. Barnett | | 48 | ||
| D. Saifiti | | 47 | ||
| M. Barnett | | 40 | ||
| M. Barnett | | 38 | ||
| S. To'a | | 31 | ||
| 21 | | N. Meaney | ||
| 20 | | A. Elliott | ||
| M. Barnett | | 14 | ||
| M. Barnett | | 9 | ||
| D. Saifiti | | 7 | ||
| 3 | | D. Watene-Zelezniak |
| 5 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Newcastle Knights and Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs face off at McDonald Jones Stadium in Round 1 NRL action. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6 pm (AEDT).
After the most disjointed and unsettling 2020, NRL play has resumed in a COVID-clear environment and the promise of the season ahead is compelling for fans and pundits alike. The Knights enter their opening match of the season looking to make a statement and prove they are better than their seventh-place finish in 2020, after which they fell away quickly come finals’ time.
The Bulldogs are the freshest beast on the block, with a host of new players, a new coach and a new hope, making them one of the most difficult clubs on which to get a read in the early stages of the competition.
Tyson Frizell is the man of most interest added to the Newcastle squad whilst the Bulldogs will send out Corey Allan, Nick Cotric, Kyle Flanagan, Jack Hetherington and Corey Waddell to play their first games in the famous blue and white.
It looks like a match full of value for the punter and one where a flash of brilliance here or there will decide the contest.
Prediction
The Knights will win this one off the back of a far more settled squad and the Bulldog’s need to build towards their best form later in the season.
Newcastle Knights 32, Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs 12.
Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 6 pm (AEDT).
Game information
Kick-off: 6pm (AEDT)
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
TV: Fox League
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go
Betting: Knights $1.57, Bulldogs $2.42 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Knights
1. Tex Hoy, 2. Starford To’a, 3. Enari Tuala, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Gehamat Shibasaki, 6. Kurt Mann, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Jayden Brailey, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Tyson Frizell, 12. Mitchell Barnett, 13. Connor Watson
Bench/Reserves: 14. Sauaso Sue, 15. Jacob Saifiti, 16. Josh King, 17. Brodie Jones, 18. Hymel Hunt, 19. Pasami Saulo, 20. Jack Johns, 21. Simi Sasagi
Bulldogs
1. Corey Allan, 2. Nick Meaney, 3. Will Hopoate, 4. Nick Cotric, 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, 6. Jake Averillo, 7. Kyle Flanagan, 8. Ofahiki Ogden, 9. Sione Katoa, 10. Jack Hetherington, 11. Adam Elliott, 12. Corey Waddell, 13. Josh Jackson
Bench/Reserves: 14. Bradley Deitz, 15. Renouf Atoni, 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner, 17. Dylan Napa, 19. Tuipulotu Katoa, 20. Chris Smith, 21. Brandon Wakeham, 22. Avu Seumanufagai
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks jimmmy. Anyone who thought that squad would be anything but marginally improved has rocks in their head. Not exactly sure where they thing their tries will come from. As for Newcastle.....impressive and improved.
The Barry
Roar Guru
It was a knee clash...
Rob
Guest
The Dogs looked a little under size? Or maybe the Knights look really big in comparison. Knights just out muscled them in the wet conditions. The Knights props set a great platform.
Retro Rabbit
Roar Rookie
Heartbreaking for a Dogs fan though. He really needed to wrap that ball up. Better to learn these hard lessons in a game that is already lost than when the game is on the line.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Ruined my 1-12! :angry:
Joe
Roar Rookie
Knights looked good! Looks like there is a place for big forwards with the new rules because the Knights forwards steamrolled their opponents to set up the win. Dogs were courageous but their handling was atrocious! Unfortunately Knights picked up injuries so will have to wait and see how bad the injury toll is. Flanagan played well in a beaten side. In fact the new recruits did well including Heathrington and Cotric who after starting with errors showed his class.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
The Newcastle Knights have proven far too strong for the Bulldogs on home soil. The 32-16 scoreline was an accurate reflection of the contest; a match that saw the Knights forwards dominate and make life difficult for a Canterbury side still looking to form combinations under new coach Trent Barrett. Daniel Saifiti and David Klemmer led the way for the home side through the middle of the field and despite the Bulldogs bravely defending, they were no match for the power game of the home side. Back to the drawing board for the Dogs and onwards and upwards for as Newcastle side looking for a second successive appearance in the finals. Final Score Newcastle Knights………..32 Canterbury Bulldogs…..….16
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
EJ I’m getting a head start. Ominous is the word I’m thinking of.
Retro Rabbit
Roar Rookie
Congrats Knights fans. Commiserations CPB, Bloke7 and TB. At the end of the day it’s just round 1 and on the bright side Souths are off the bottom of the NRL ladder! ????
Bloke7
Roar Rookie
Well done by the Knights. Hard to judge the Dogs from that, 13 errors and loads of set restarts given away. Plenty of work needed from Barrett to clean that up. At the same time the Knights forward pack is very impressive...which they'll need with all their backs getting injured.
eagleJack
Roar Guru
Hope you’ve warned the RSL to stock up on liquor HY. Might be a tough one tomorrow night
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Thanks Stuart. Great call as always. Bad luck with your Doggies. Only way is up.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
Thanks for being on board for the match and be sure to jump over the Broncos vs Eels live score piece and join in all the discussion on what should be a cracking affair. Newcastle Knights………..32 Canterbury Bulldogs…..….16
Stuart Thomas
Expert
FULL-TIME The Knights have opened the season with a comfortable win against the Bulldogs in Newcastle. Newcastle Knights………..32 Canterbury Bulldogs…..….16
Stuart Thomas
Expert
80' Final minute as the Knights go forward looking to wind this one down. Newcastle Knights………..32 Canterbury Bulldogs…..….16
Stuart Thomas
Expert
79' A brilliant effort to knock the ball free from Watson. Knights scrum feed. Newcastle Knights………..32 Canterbury Bulldogs…..….16
Bloke7
Roar Rookie
Hard not to appreciate that effort.
Stuart Thomas
Expert
79' The Bulldogs get the ball over the line but look to have lost the ball over the line. They have. No try. Newcastle Knights………..32 Canterbury Bulldogs…..….16
Retro Rabbit
Roar Rookie
What a classic try saver from Watson. Did you see that Bazza? :laughing:
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Dogs save a bit of face but it’s been Men Vs Boys.