Newcastle Knights
15
Match Complete
Gold Coast Titans
14
| M. Pearce |  | 79 | ||
| 74 |  | J. Fogarty | ||
| J. Clifford | | 70 | ||
| J. Clifford |  | 61 | ||
| M. Pearce |  | 60 | ||
| 38 | | J. Fogarty | ||
| 37 | | D. Fifita | ||
| J. Clifford | | 25 | ||
| K. Ponga | | 23 | ||
| 11 | | J. Fogarty | ||
| 4 | | P. Sami |
| 2 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 1 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 1 | Field Goals | 0 |
Round 24 gets underway tonight when the Newcastle Knights take on the Gold Coast Titans at the Sunshine Coast Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7:50pm (AEST).
With finals just around the corner, this looms as a do-or-die match for the Titans. The Knights sit more comfortably in 7th spot, but need a win to confirm their spot in the top eight.
The Knights were far from convincing against the Bulldogs last weekend, holding on for a 22-16 win. The scoreline perhaps flattered the Bulldogs, but Adam O’Brien would have been disappointed that his team didn’t go on to a thumping victory.
The Knights do possess a number of attacking options through Mitchell Pearce, Kurt Mann and Kalyn Ponga. However, their pack will be tested with a couple of key omissions.
Daniel Saifiti remains on the sidelines and David Klemmer will join him, after being suspended for a week. His place is taken by Sauaso Sue. Tyson Frizell returns from suspension, pushing Brodie Jones to the bench.
The Titans were brave against the Melbourne Storm, but eventually came up short. Their halves combination of Jamal Fogarty and Ash Taylor couldn’t come up with the big plays when it mattered.
If the Titans are going to win, their big-name forwards need to stand up. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui was heavily involved against the Storm but David Fifita was barely sighted. Heavy criticism from that game may be just what Fifita needs.
There’s plenty of changes for the Titans. Tyrone Peachey has been named in the halves at the expense of Taylor. Moeaki Fotuaika returns from injury via the bench with Sam Lisone dropping out of the 17. Beau Fermor is listed to start with David Fifita back to the bench. Mitch Rein comes back in, with Erin Clark moving to the interchange. Finally, Phillip Sami moves back onto the wing in place of an unlucky Greg Marzhew.
Prediction
These sides look evenly matched on paper but the stakes are higher for the Titans.
I like Tyrone Peachey in the halves and, with a Titans pack desperate to assert itself, the Gold Coast will just hold on for the win.
Gold Coast Titans by 2
Game information
Kick-off: 7:50pm (AEST)
Venue: Sunshine Coast Stadium
TV: Nine, Fox Sports
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel GO, NRL Live Pass
Odds: Knights: $1.85; Titans: $1.95 ((odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Newcastle Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Enari Tuala 3. Kurt Mann 4. Bradman Best 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Jake Clifford 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Sauaso Sue 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Jacob Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Connor Watson
Interchange: 14. Brodie Jones 15. Chris Randall 16. Josh King 17. Jirah Momoisea
Gold Coast Titans
1. Jayden Campbell 2. Phillip Sami 3. Brian Kelly 4. Patrick Herbert 5. Corey Thompson 6. Tyrone Peachey 7. Jamal Fogarty 8. Jarrod Wallace 9. Mitch Rein 10. Tino Fa’asuamaleaui 11. Kevin Proctor 12. Beau Fermor 13. Sam McIntyre
Interchange: 14. Erin Clark 15. David Fifita 16. Moeaki Fotuaika 17. Jaimin Jolliffe
Wait a minute!
Guest
Risk & reward. Everyone knows the rules of the game. Get the field goal late in the game, you win. Miss it, the other team gets 7 tackles if the ball goes dead. It’s the same risk & reward , if you do a small kick into the in goal . To get another possible set of tackles , or mess it up & the other team gets a set of 7 tackles when the ball goes dead . Again, it’s the same with a charge down. A possibility of charging a kick down & running away with the ball to score at the other end. We could say, ‘Why is a charge down , not a knock on’? Drop a high kick forward & the other team gets another set of tackles. What’s the difference? It’s the rules of the game & the risk of giving away an extra tackle set , makes it more interesting. The 2 point field goal only rewards a team with one excellent field goal kicker , compared to the 1 point field goal.
Dan
Guest
7 tackles for a missed field goal is a dumb, illogical rule. TBH I think a charge down should not be classed as played at such that the team that is charged down is rewarded with another 6. If you are charged down it is an error- why should you get 6 again?
Ian_
Roar Rookie
So setting up a wall to protect the field goal kicker is apparently all legal now. Also, I'd have ruled a penalty against the Knights on the previous tackle for Mann running behind his own player. He took advantage by remaining in play to give the Knights the chance for the field goal. In my view, they shouldn't have had it.
The Barry
Roar Guru
Big game from Pearce… the 40/20 was a turning point, then he scored the critical try and iced the field goal Good on the Knights… can’t see them troubling too many in September but I’d rather be in their shoes right now than ours…
farkurnell
Roar Rookie
I reckon D Fafita is the Laziest $millonman in the world.Just hangs out next to the winger waiting for the ball to come.Tino does 4 times the work and makes more metres .Just makes no sense
Rob
Guest
Well done Knights. They’re getting it done and the winning feeling is growing their confidence. They didn’t play well but that says a lot about a team. Winning as many are saying is a good trait to build on.
Geoff from Bruce Stadium
Roar Rookie
Not necessarily - the Titans, Sharks and Raiders may all end up with 24 points at season's end and the Titans could get there on points differential. The Sharks have to face the Storm in the final round and the Raiders have to play the Roosters. Both likely losses on form. The Titans play the Warriors. This all assumes the Raiders knock off the Warriors tomorrow and the Sharks beat the Broncos on Saturday as well.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Not dumb ones like that.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
At least
Dutski
Roar Guru
Thanks for the call David
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Yeah sad 'state' of affairs RN. Anyway letd get a win against the Dragons. That will cheer me up.
Tom G
Roar Rookie
Newcastle into the semifinals and good for them. With a 12-11 win loss to date and a +/- of -130 it makes the value of a top 8 system a bit questionable.
David Holden
Roar Guru
Thanks for following the blog tonight. I think we have both games covered tomorrow night, then more on Sunday, so please follow the Roar this weekend. Good night
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
I don’t think they are gone, just need the Broncos to beat the Sharks and they could still make it.
Tony
Roar Guru
Take the one?
Joey
Guest
Kurt Mann shepherd for sure. Anyhow, wasn’t called. Who’d have thought team #7 can now rest their whole team for the last round ?
R N
Roar Rookie
They saw it they just don't care! Anyway Jimmmy looks like no QLD teams will make the 8 :crying: but I do hope Clifford goes well in finials footy!
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
Wait until a team with a 10-14 record slips into 8th
WithTheDawn
Roar Rookie
I would if they are playing the Knights.
Gee Up
Guest
Except the Grandstand is at the old Cumberland Oval..