Newcastle made it seven in a row for the first time since 1998.
Result
Newcastle Knights 29
Tries: Greg Marzhew 5th, 11th, 36th; Daniel Saifiti 55th; Adam Clune 59th; Bradman Best 69th
Goals: Kalyn Ponga 57th, 69th
South Sydney Rabbitohs 10
Tries: Damien Cook 42nd; Shaq Mitchell 65th
Goals: Latrell Mitchell 66th
Report
The Newcastle Knights for the first time in 25 years have won seven straight games in their victory over South Sydney 29-10 at McDonald Jones Stadium.
In front of 29,018 fans, Newcastle went into the break 12-0 ahead with Greg Marzhew scoring a first-half hat-trick with Kalyn Ponga involved heavily in each try.
South Sydney at times pressed the Newcastle line but were unable to post points. After completing at 44% in the opening half, the Rabbitohs needed to improve their completion rate and score first to stay in the contest after the break.
An error by Dominic Young near his line saw the Rabbitohs cross from the base of the scrum through Damien Cook. But it would be Latrell Mitchell’s conversion miss from in front that summed up the Rabbitohs performance.
The game looked like it was going to tighten with Taane Milne heading towards the line, but it was Bradman Best who made the try saver and changed the momentum of the game.
A somewhat contentious try to Adam Clune saw the Knights move out to a match winning 22-4 lead. Tyson Gamble’s kick in goal was knocked on by Latrell Mitchell, bounced into the legs of Grant Atkins before Clune grounded the ball.
Best’s 69th minute try ensured that the Knights would complete their best winning record since 1997 finals series to round 5 in 1998.
Kurt Mann, Milne and Latrell Mitchell were placed on report while Lachlan Fitzgibbon didn’t complete the game after leaving the field with a shoulder problem.
This game was tinged in sadness after the passing of former South Sydney Rabbitoh Kyle Turner who tragically passed away at the age of 31.
PLAYER OF THE YEAR POINTS
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