Jack Harbidge reviews the Magic Round clash between Wests Tigers and Newcastle Knights at Suncorp Stadium. Here’s how the game went.
SCOREBOARD
Tigers 36
Tries: Luke Brooks (4), James Tamou (10), David Nofoaluma (14), Adam Doueihi (25, 51), Tommy Talau (48).
Goals: Adam Doueihi (5, 11, 16, 34 – pen, 35, 50, 52).
Knights 18
Tries: Hymel Hunt (19), Brodie Jones (41), Jayden Brailey (66), Tyson Frizell (80).
Goals: Tex Hoy (67).
Player of the Year Points
Embed from Getty Images3 pts – Luke Brooks (Wests Tigers)
2 pts – Adam Doueihi (Wests Tigers)
1 pt – Luciano Leilua (Wests Tigers)
MATCH REPORT
Embed from Getty Images1st Half
A fast start to the game saw the Wests Tigers vindicate Michael Maguire’s decision to change the spine for their Magic Round clash against the Knights. After a good start from the Knights, the Tigers played out from their own 10 metres for Tommy Talau to break and put Luke Brooks through when greeted by the fullback.
James Tamou soon backed up Brooks’ opening try after Kurt Mann produced an unforced error to gift Wests the ball, to then duff a kick collection on fifth tackle and allow the Tigers prop to stroll over from short range.
With Newcastle struggling for possession, Wests ran riot and notched a third try through Adam Doueihi before a swift reply from Knights winger Hymel Hunt to cut the score to 18-4. Wests’ dominance paid dividends with a Knights sin bin (Tex Hoy) after repeated six again calls; Doueihi swiftly made the advantage work for them, crossing to extend the lead to 18 points.
Newcastle weren’t without their chances though, and Starford To’a looked as though he had capitalized on a terrible pass inside off the kick off from Tommy Talau, only to be ruled out by the Bunker. The Tigers then went on to make use of the extra man advantage and force a penalty for Doueihi to convert just before Hoy returned to the pitch.
HALF-TIME: Wests Tigers 24 Newcastle Knights 4
Embed from Getty Images2nd Half
The second half saw Newcastle produce a more spirited performance and get on the scoreboard early through Brodie Jones after the Tigers outside backs failed to deal with a high kick. The momentum looked to be with the Knights but errors at key points let Wests off the hook, eventually culminating in Talau crossing to cancel out the early Newcastle try.
The Tigers then soon took hold of the game and, following some good fortune, Doueihi pounced on a Brooks kick to cross for his second of the game and all but seal the win for the resurgent Tigers.
That said, the Knights regained the ascendancy at points – particularly after the sin binning of Joe Ofahengaue – but couldn’t find the clinical ball in the final third to capitalize on the possession until 14 minutes to go, when Jayden Brailey sniped over from the base of the ruck at close range.
The try further invigorated the Knights, though errors once again thwarted any points-scoring until the full-time hooter, where Tyson Frizell crossed to cut the deficit to 18 points despite his side being one man down following the sin binning of Lachlan Fitzgibbon just a minute earlier.
FULL-TIME: Wests Tigers 36 Newcastle Knights 18
Injuries
to be advised
Match Review Committee
to be advised
Follow Nothing But League on Twitter and Facebook.
