Matt Pritchard reviews South Sydney’s victory over the Newcastle Knights at McDonald Jones Stadium.
MATCHDAY RESULTS
SCOREBOARD
Newcastle Knights 28
Tries: Dominic Young (14), David Klemmer (18), Bradman Best (25), Edrick Lee (58), Mitch Barnett (68)
Goals: Anthony Milford 3 (19, 27, 59, 68)
South Sydney Rabbitohs 40
Tries: Cody Walker 2 (9, 38), Richard Kennar 3 (30, 33, 42), Tevita Tatola (52), Jaxson Paulo (63)
Goals: Latrell Mitchell 6 (10, 31, 35, 39, 53, 80)
MATCH REPORT
Embed from Getty ImagesDavid Klemmer has been sensationally sent off in the final play of the game as South Sydney defeated Newcastle Knights 40-28 at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Klemmer was dismissed after a fiery end to the game where he made reckless contact on Daniel Suluka-Fifita in completing a tackle.
This overshadowed the performance of Cody Walker who was outstanding in scoring two tries and setting up three others as the Rabbitohs recorded their ninth victory of the season.
He scored the first try of the evening after South Sydney dominated the opening period of the game.
Walker turned the momentum of the game before the break in setting up Richard Kennar for his second with a kick out wide, before taking an intercept off Knights utility Mat Croker right on half-time which saw the Rabbitohs go into the sheds 24-16 ahead.
The Rabbitohs had to do it without Lachlan Ilias who suffered a head clash with Tevita Tatola in the opening set of the game and was subsequently ruled out of the game.
Newcastle skipped out to a handy 16-6 lead which started from a break by Tyson Frizell downfield and led to Dom Young scoring shortly after. Anthony Milford set up a try for Klemmer four minutes later before Bradman Best struck fifteen minutes from the break for the Knights third.
However, South Sydney skipped away early in the second half after they were made to pay for Adam Clune’s error which saw Kennar completed his first NRL career hat-trick in replacing the injured Alex Johnston in the starting side.
Newcastle got within twelve points when Mitch Barnett scored with twelve minutes to play and their opportunity to reduce the margin in the final minutes when they were on the attack inside the Rabbitohs ten.
But the Knights will be concerned about their defence on the wing as South Sydney took advantage of spreading the ball from one side, to the next to create opportunities.
South Sydney with Latrell Mitchell’s second game back from injury look to be heading in the right direction in moving to fifth place with their win important, knowing they face a tough run home.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS
Embed from Getty Images3 pts – Cody Walker (Rabbitohs), 2 pts – Richard Kennar (Rabbitohs), 1 pt – Anthony Milford (Knights)
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