Knights
28
Match Complete
Eels
14
| K. Ponga |  | 70 | ||
| M. Pearce |  | 68 | ||
| K. Ponga |  | 58 | ||
| 53 | | M. Moses | ||
| 51 | | M. Ma'u | ||
| 40 | | M. Moses | ||
| 38 | | M. Moses | ||
| 36 | | M. Sivo | ||
| K. Ponga | | 27 | ||
| J. Gavet | | 26 | ||
| K. Ponga | | 11 | ||
| L. Fitzgibbon | | 10 | ||
| K. Ponga | | 8 | ||
| K. Ponga | | 7 | ||
| K. Ponga | | 6 |
| 4 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Knights are back at home this week after a disappointing trip to the Gold Coast saw them lose to the Titans in dismal fashion, coughing up a heap of possession and conceding 38 points to 14.
This week they will host the red-hot Eels, who demolished the Wests Tigers last week 51-6 at the grand opening of Bank West Stadium.
To make things worse for the Knights, the Eels’ star winger Blake Ferguson has overcome a rib injury sustained two weeks ago against the Raiders, and will take his spot on the right flank, making the task of victory even more difficult for the Knights than it already was.
The Kinghts’ biggest issue against the Titans was ball security – simple errors led directly to tries for the Titans on numberous occasions.
In attack they were so awful that even Kalyn Ponga barely threatened. Experienced halfback Mitchell Pearce came up with some really bad last-play options, which meant his side was simply unable to build any pressure.
If the Knights are to have any chance against the Eels, both Mitchell Pearce and Kalyn Ponga need to improve. Creating a plan to get strike centre Jesse Ramien some early ball would be a good start – he is a huge threat and has been vastly underutilized this season.
However, if the ball doesn’t find Ramien he needs to go searching for the ball. Upping his involvement in whatever capacity can only be a good thing for the Knights.
The Eels were fantastic against the Tigers, however the Tigers really didn’t put up much of a fight.
They can expect a much more difficult outing this week away from their new state-of-the-art facility.
However, with some great early season victories and a close loss to the Roosters, they have shown that they are more than capable of rising to the challenge of an under-pressure Knights side.
Prediction
The Raiders two weeks ago created a blueprint for stopping the Eels: stop Ferguson! This is also the Knights’ best chance of snaring an unlikely victory in this game.
For each week that they continue to lose, the pressure mounts further on the Knights. They need to get their season into gear quick smart and it starts with this game. They have plenty to play for.
The Eels are under far less pressure than their opposition and that will suit them. With Ferguson back in the side and halfback Mitchell Moses in career best form, it’s hard to see anything other than a victory to the Eels in this one.
Parramatta by 14
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match, starting from 4:05pm AEST.
Where: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
When: 4:05pm
TV: Channel 9, Fox League
Streaming: 9 Now, NRL Digital Pass, Kayo Sports
Knights
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Hymel Hunt 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Connor Watson 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Danny Levi 10. James Gavet 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Tim Glasby 14. Jamie Buhrer 15. Herman Ese’ese 16. Daniel Saifiti 17. Josh King 18. Mason Lino 19. Tautau Moga 20. Sione Mata’utia 21. Pasami Saulo
Eels
1. Clint Gutherson 2. Maika Sivo 3. Michael Jennings 4. Brad Takairangi 5. Blake Ferguson 6. Jaeman Salmon 7. Mitchell Moses 8. Daniel Alvaro 9. Reed Mahoney 10. Junior Paulo 11. Shaun Lane 12. Marata Niukore 13. Tepai Moeroa 14. Peni Terepo 15. Tim Mannah 16. Oregon Kaufusi 17. Ray Stone 18. Manu Ma’u 19. Kane Evans 20. Josh Hoffman 21. George Jennings
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
Full Time The Knights have pulled off an upset win at home against the Eels, emerging 28-14 victors to avoid being stuck on their own in last place. They came early with plenty of intensity through the middle, dominating the arm wrestle with quick dummy-half running with the outside backs. The Knights opened the scoring with a 6th minute penalty goal to Kalyn Ponga. Ponga was in the thick of it on the next play after the kick off, with Danny Levi finding a yawning gap through the middle of the Eels' defence, passing to Ponga who scored untouched. The Knights continued their dominance through tries to Lachlan Fitzgibbon and James Gavet in the 10th and 26th minutes, and with Ponga's goal-kicking perfection, they found themselves 20 points up after 27 minutes. The Eels wrestled back momentum towards the end of the first half, with Sivo scoring in the 36th minute and Moses nailing the kick from the sideline. He then crossed for again on the last play of the half although the final pass was ruled forward. The Eels then received a penalty for offside, taking the gift two points to trail by 12 at the break. The Eels scored the first try of the second half through the returning Manu Ma'u in the 51st minute, narrowing the gap to just 6 points. However, the Eels failed to match the intensity of the Knights, who continued to kill the Eels with their backs running through the middle. Newcastle kicked a penalty goal in the 58th minute, before Pearce iced the game with a great solo try in the 68th minute. The 14 point lead proved unassailable, and while the Eels looked like scoring at various points during the rest of the game, they never looked like winning after Pearce's try. Pearce was in everything, having easily his best game for the season. The Knights' backs were huge too, making plenty of ground through the ruck. The Eels will lament their flimsy middle defence - it cost them dearly throughout the game, and they'll need to fix it if they're to challenge the top teams. Knights - 28 Eels - 14
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
Cheers mate, glad you enjoyed!
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Well done Knights , thanks Daniel.. great call.
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
80' Knights with a knock on and that'll see us out to full time. Newcastle with a great win at home to avoid being last on the ladder on their own. Match report to come. Knights - 28 Eels - 14
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
79' Pearce's grubber finds legs again. It's dived on by an Eel in an accidental offside position. Knights will get the ball back. Knights - 28 Eels - 14
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
78' Eels had numbers on the right, Gutherson to Niukore but he knocks on. Knights regather and work it to the middle of the field, Mahoney does a 2-on-1 strip and it's a penalty to the Knights. Knights - 28 Eels - 14
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
77' Eels make a break on the left as Jennings passes to Sivo. His run draws a penalty, Jennings takes a tap. Knights - 28 Eels - 14
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
76' Pearce grubbers for touch on the last, this time finding the line 15m out. Good play, closing out the game. Knights - 28 Eels - 14
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
75' The Eels decide to push in the scrum and it collapses! I thought I was watching rugby for a sec! Knights - 28 Eels - 14
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
74' Mahoney puts Moeroa through a yawning gap and he looks certain to score, but the pass was forward. Knights get the scrum feed 20 out from their own line. Knights - 28 Eels - 14
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
73' Moses chips it but it's badly placed, Saifiti manages to regather it but Hymel Hunt knocks on on the next play. The Eels with a good scoring chance here - they'll feed the scrum 40m out from the Newcastle line - but 3 scores in 7 minutes is probably a bit beyond them. Knights - 28 Eels - 14
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
72' Brilliant set after points. The Knights got well over halfway and Pearce sent the ball into touch 10m out from the Eels' line. Perfect game-management from Pearce. Knights - 28 Eels - 14
70
68
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
71' Eels go short, Takairangi bats it back into the arms of Pearce. Knights - 28 Eels - 14
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
70' Ponga nails the kick once again. 14 point lead looks pretty unassailable with just 10 minutes to go. Knights - 28 Eels - 14
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Newcastle deserve this one . Far from perfect but they have done enough .
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
69' Mitchell Pearce with the zig zag left foot step, deceives Paulo and Mahoney as he reaches out to score and that should be the game! Great try! Knights - 26 Eels - 14
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
68' Moses puts a bomb up but no Eels really challenge for it. Lee takes it on the bounce and gets over halfway before tackle 1. Great chance for Newcastle to ice this game now. Knights - 22 Eels - 14
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
How many times is Pearce going to kick into legs. , I can see 100 m try for Parra if he keeps it up.