Craig Cauchi reviews the Newcastle Knights victory on ‘Old Boys’ day against St George Illawarra Dragons. Here’s how the game went.
MATCH TIMELINE
| Minute | Scoring Play | Score |
| 3rd | Try Kalyn Ponga (Knights) | Knights 4-0 |
| 5th | Goal Mason Lino (Knights) | Knights 6-0 |
| 7th | Try Gehamat Shibasaki (Knights) | Knights 10-0 |
| 8th | Goal Mason Lino (Knights) | Knights 12-0 |
| 21st | Try Aidan Guerra (Knights) | Knights 16-0 |
| 23rd | Goal Mason Lino (Knights) | Knights 18-0 |
| 24th | Try Daniel Saifiti (Knights) | Knights 22-0 |
| 26th | Goal Mason Lino (Knights) | Knights 24-0 |
| 35th | Try Zac Lomax (Dragons) | Knights 24-4 |
| 36th | Goal Zac Lomax (Dragons) | Knights 24-6 |
| 38th | Try Enari Tuala (Knights) | Knights 28-6 |
| 39th | Goal Mason Lino (Knights) | Knights 30-6 |
| 51st | Try Jacob Saifiti (Knights) | Knights 34-6 |
| 52nd | Goal Mason Lino (Knights) | Knights 36-6 |
| 57th | Try Corey Norman (Dragons) | Knights 36-10 |
| 58th | Goal Zac Lomax (Dragons) | Knights 36-12 |
| 69th | Try Enari Tuala (Knights) | Knights 40-12 |
| 71st | Goal Mason Lino (Knights) | Knights 42-12 |
| 74th | Try Zac Lomax (Dragons) | Knights 42-16 |
| 75th | Goal Zac Lomax (Dragons) | Knights 42-18 |
| 80th | FULLTIME | Knights 42-18 |
MATCH SUMMARY
1st Half
The new number nine for the Newcastle Knights Chris Randall set up the first try, splitting the Dragons up the middle and passing back to Kalyn Ponga to score under the posts. The second try came through the two late replacements with five-eighth Mason Lino kicking for Gehamat Shibasaki to fly over the pack and reach over the line. The Dragons had their opportunities but were once again made to pay for their poor discipline, with Aidan Guerra scoring after Newcastle earned a few repeat sets. The kick-off went out on the full – putting Newcastle right back on the attack and they didn’t waste it, scoring down the middle through Daniel Saifiti. The Dragons most dynamic players combined to set up their first try off the back of a Knights’ mistake. Matt Dufty took the ball off the scrum and used his pace to get Lomax into a gap, who brushed off a few defenders on his way to the try line. The Knights were in just before half time with Mitchell Pearce delivering a lovely pass for Enari Tuala to extend their lead.
2nd Half
Jacob Saifiti scored after Newcastle dominated possession for the first 10 minutes of the half – his try straight up the middle, similar to his brothers effort earlier in the match. The Dragons threw caution to the wind, giving Cody Ramsey the chance to showcase his speed, getting around the defence and passing back to Corey Norman to score. Enari Tuala scored his second try, hitting the same line he ran through for his first, this time off a Kalyn Ponga pass. Zac Lomax scored his second try – out leaping the Newcastle defenders and making it look too easy.
GAME HIGHLIGHT
The Saifiti brothers continue to deliver dominant displays – leading the Newcastle Knights forwards through the middle of the opposition. Both finished with tries for the match – scored in a similar fashion – fighting off defenders and extending their arms to slam the ball down. They led the charge down the middle of the field, gaining over 100+ metres each.
SQUADS
Newcastle Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 5. Starford To’a 3. Enari Tuala 22. Gehamat Shibasaki 4. Hymel Hunt 20. Mason Lino 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Chris Randall 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Mitchell Barnett 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Herman Ese’ese 17. Sione Mata’utia
St George Illawarra Dragons: 1. Matthew Dufty 2. Jordan Pereira 4. Zac Lomax 20. Brayden Wiliame 5. Cody Ramsey 6. Corey Norman 9. Ben Hunt 8. Kaide Ellis 13. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizell 14. Tariq Sims 12. Jackson Ford 15. Josh Kerr 16. Blake Lawrie 17. Max Feagai 19. Tyrell Fuimaono
