Newcastle Knights
6
Match Complete
Penrith Panthers
42
| J. Clifford |  | 73 | ||
| E. Lee |  | 73 | ||
| 67 | | B. To'o | ||
| 64 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 63 | | S. Crichton | ||
| 51 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 49 | | I. Tago | ||
| 40 |  | N. Cleary | ||
| 35 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 34 | | B. To'o | ||
| 27 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 26 | | T. May | ||
| 15 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 13 | | V. Kikau | ||
| 6 | | N. Cleary | ||
| 4 | | N. Cleary |
| 1 | Tries | 7 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 6 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Newcastle Knights host the red-hot Penrith Panthers in the Hunter this afternoon. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 4:05pm AEST.
The Knights are last start winners – a rare thing for them in 2020 with just 4 wins from 12 attempts, fresh off the bye they will be hoping they can topple the reigning premiers in front of their home fans. The Panthers didn’t skip a beat last week against the Bulldogs with six of their squad picked in Origin 1, they have just the one loss next to their name this season.
The Panthers have named all their players to back up after the Origin opener. It is the same team that beat the Cowboys a fortnight ago, with the exception of Matt Eisenhuth replacing Spencer Leniu on the bench. Coach Ivan Cleary has shown he is happy to rest Origin players in the past and he has named the same players who covered them last week on the extended bench. The Knights have named Dane Gagai and Kalyn Ponga to back up from Origin. They welcome back utility Kurt Mann on the bench, he replaces Phoenix Crossland. Jacob Saifiti replaces brother Daniel who has picked up a knee injury. Leo Thompson comes onto the bench.
The Knights haven’t had a good run of things against the Panthers lately. They have lost 11 of the last 14 clashes between the two, dating back to 2014. Their last win against the Panthers at home came back in 2015. They do have a 50% win record against the Panthers at home in the NRL era. These two have already played once in 2022, in Bathurst back in round 3. On that afternoon the Knights were competitive for much of the contest, but had Mitch Barnett sent off after half an hour, eventually succumbing 38-20.
Prediction
An accurate prediction for this one very much depends on who plays for each team. The Knights need Kalyn Ponga, that much is certain and if he is out of the side it is nearly impossible to tip them. Likewise for the Panthers, they were good last week but they weren’t at their clinical best. If everyone backs up, it is impossible not to tip them. But if they choose to rest the likes of Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai it does level the playing field a little bit.
The Knights will be fresher after a week off. They have also looked a better side with Anthony Milford at five-eighth. They are back at home and playing in front of what is always a healthy crowd supporting them. They will be competitive, but you can’t not tip the premiers at the moment.
Panthers by 13.
Game information
Kick-off: 4:05pm AEST
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
TV/Stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel, Nine Network
Odds: Knights $5.25, Panthers $1.17 – odds via PlayUp
Newcastle
1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Dane Gagai 4. Enari Tuala 5. Dominic Young 6. Anthony Milford 7. Jake Clifford 8. David Klemmer 9. Chris Randall 10. Jacob Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Mitchell Barnett
14. Kurt Mann 15. Simi Sasagi 16. Leo Thompson 17. Mathew Croker 18. Pasami Saulo 19. Jirah Momoisea 20. Tex Hoy 21. Jack Johns 22. Phoenix Crossland
Penrith
1. Dylan Edwards 2. Taylan May 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Brian To’o 6. Jarome Luai 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo
14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Matt Eisenhuth 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. Robert Jennings 19. Chris Smith 20. Sean O’Sullivan 21. J’maine Hopgood 22. Spencer Leniu 23. Charlie Staines 24. Kurt Falls
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Hope you remembered to switch off when the sports segment came on.
Redcap
Roar Guru
No mate, no cheesecake. I'll be very happy with a slice of soda bread and some nice butter for dessert. Other members of the household got something from the bakery earlier.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Note, they scored 16 in Townsville, and they won their last game. How are they worse each time you watch ? Maybe need to watch more.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
Note , the Panthers scored 20 more points against Knights. But that's not my point.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Any chance Penrith had a say in the result? Note Knights scored 6 points more than the Cowboys.
Well done Jack.
:laughing: cup runneth over.. yeah not your top teams this arvo.. Any cheese cake this time?
:laughing:
Yeah, ditto the Gould pearlier "The coach is gona be here long after im gone" statement.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Jack is a Panther. Wouldn't think he had any problem calling the game.
Agree re miracle.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Not sure what else you were expecting. Maybe waiting in to see the Panthers fall so you could have a dig. 80m full of quality play. No pleasing the anti-Panthers.
Malo
Guest
The bottom 5 sides would be better off without a coach just play naturally. It is a very simple game but Penrith and the Storm actually show how hard they train and work tirelessly to execute relentless attack.
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
The Panthers. Another polished, professional, clinical performance from Penrith and the Knights just couldn't go with them. No doubt some Blues players stung after Wednesday night with a point to prove. They maintain their 2 win buffer at the top of the table. Still just the one loss for them this year. They just did what they needed to do today. Everyone does their job, they are patient and just take the opportunities when they come to them. They completed at 90% today and when the Panthers do that you are going to find it hard to win. The Knights weren't bad. They did try but they just don't have the class that the Panthers possess. It didn't make it any easier when they lost Kalyn Ponga in the opening quarter. The Panthers travel to the Sunshine Coast next weekend to take on the Warriors, a game they will be heavy favourites to win. The Knights have a tough road trip to Canberra, taking on the Raiders who will be keen to get back to their winning ways after a close loss to the Broncos. Thanks for joining me on the Roar this afternoon. The Warriors v Sharks next up tonight.
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
Thanks mate.
jimmmy
Roar Rookie
OBrian I the worst coach in the NRL. How do I know ? Every time inwatch the Knights they look worse.
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
80' A few plays here for the Knights. Mann with it. Milford on the edge and that will do us. Full time here in the Hunter and Panthers run out comfortable winners. Knights 6 Panthers 42
Monorchid
Roar Rookie
Congratulations to Panther's supporters. But a big shout out to Jack Aubrey for a game which would not have been easy to call. As for AMD and his duck dinner, gee it sounds good.
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
80' Unsuccessful challenge by the Panthers and the Knights will get a final use of the footy. Gagai from the scrum. Now a penalty for a high shot and the Knights find touch. Knights 6 Panthers 42
Jack Aubrey
Roar Guru
79' Panthers win the scrum 30 from the Knights line. Tago running off Cleary. Salmon nearly splits them. He loses it playing it, but we will prolong things with a captains challenge. Knights 6 Panthers 42