Knights vs Dragons: Live NRL Updates

Live: Knights vs Dragons

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By Michael Doyle

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25

Key Events

8

Tries

4

Highlights

1

Press Conference

2

Comments

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39' PENALTY GOAL: Sandon Smith gives Knights the lead

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By Michael Doyle

Sandon Smith has an attempt at goal from 25 metres out following the penalty scrum against the Dragons.

Smith makes no mistake.

Knights 14

Dragons 12

37' Knights get a great chance after Gutherson error

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By Michael Doyle

A high bomb was allowed to bounce by St George Illawarra fullback Clint Gutherson.

The ball bounced into Gutherson's arm, and it was deemed played at by ref Gerrard Sutton.

The Knights have an attacking scrum, and the Dragons were offside from the scrum.

33' TRY: Tyrell Sloan scores for the Dragons

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By Michael Doyle

Outstanding play from the St George Illawarra Dragons.

Halfback Kyle Flanagan notices the Knights fullback, Fletcher Sharpe, is not back in defence.

Flanagan puts in a chip kick to the left corner, and winger Tyrell Sloan wins the race and scores.

It was a great try, because Sloan was running at full speed, picked up the ball from his bootlaces, and controlled it tremendously to ground the ball.

From the left touchline, Valentine Holmes nails the conversion attempt.

Knights 12

Dragons 12

29' The Dragons are enjoying momentum, massive Knights hit

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By Michael Doyle

The Dragons are feeling much better about themselves.

They had another attacking kick to the Knights' in-goal, threatening to score a second try.

One Dragon who is not feeling great is second rower Hamish Stewart.

He got whacked in the ribs by a terrific tackle by his counterpart Francis Manuleleua.

Knights 12

Dragons 6

25' TRY: Valentine Holmes scores for the Dragons

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By Michael Doyle

The Knights got sloppy with a few penalties, and the Dragons have pounced.

Two penalties and a couple of set restarts allowed the Dragons to attack the goal-line.

Early in the tackle count, halfback Kyle Flanagan puts in a grubber to the in-goal.

Centre Valentine Holmes chased through and grounded the footy.

Holmes converts his own try.

Knights 12

Dragons 6

21' Dragons survive another Knights attack

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By Michael Doyle

Newcastle were on the doorstep of the Dragons' goal-line.

It came after a wild pass from Knights winger Dom Young was knocked out by a Dragon.

Attacking the goal-line, a forward pass from dummy-half by Phoenix Crossland ended the attack.

Knights 12

Dragons 0

16' NO TRY: Knights knock-on in-goal

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By Michael Doyle

Dom Young jumps in the air for the ball, taps the ball forward, and then, after a ricochet, Young grounds the footy.

But the Bunker correctly calls the original knock-on from Young.

Knights 12

Dragons 0

9' TRY: Fletcher Sharpe has a double for the Knights

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By Michael Doyle

The Knights go bang, BANG.

Fullback Fletcher Sharpe has scored after being given a great offload from centre Bradman Best, who caught an attacking kick near the Dragons' goal-line.

The Dragons have not touched the ball since conceding the first try. They gave away a penalty for offside on the set after the kick-off. That allowed the Knights to march down into another attacking position.

"I have not seen the Newcastle Knights look so sharp." — Luke Lewis, two-time premiership winner and ABC Sport caller.

Knights 12

Dragons 0

6' TRY: Fletcher Sharpe scores for the Knights

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By Michael Doyle

The Knights have shown a willingness to test the Dragons on the edges, and it results in the first try of the night.

From their own half, the Knights shifted to the right and centre Dane Gagai drew in two defenders, then gave a flick pass to winger Dom Young for the line break.

Young streaked down the wing, then passed inside to Fletcher Sharpe for the first try.

Sandon Smith converts the simple goal attempt.

Knights 6

Dragons 0

2' Knights show they are not adraid to throw the ball around

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By Michael Doyle

Newcastle have a nice opening set with the footy.

They can advance the ball past the halfway line, unafraid to play from sideline to sideline.

That could be a glimpse into the Knights' game plan — stretch the Dragons' defence.

KICK-OFF: Knights vs Dragons

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By Michael Doyle

Referee Gerard Sutton blows his whistle, and Friday's NRL action is underway.

The Knights kick-off, and the Dragons will have the first use of the footy.

It is a fine set from the Dragons, getting the ball to their own 40-metre line, before kicking clear.

Listen to the ABC Sport live call

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By Michael Doyle

You can follow the ABC Sport live blog, and listen to the ABC Sport live call.

Tap the link below to hear Andrew Moore, Luke Lewis, and John Gibbs on the touchline at Hunter Stadium in Newcastle.

Moses Suli a late out for the Dragons

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By Michael Doyle

There is late drama for the St George Illawarra Dragons.

Centre Moses Suli is out after injuring his back in the warm-up.

Tyrell Sloan is elevated from the bench to the wing, and Mathew Feagai moves from the wing to centre.

Lyhkan King-Togia is elevated to the six-man bench.

Bradman Best returns for the Knights

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By Michael Doyle

The Newcastle Knights have a massive inclusion tonight — Bradman Best.

The centre has not played since round 10, when the Knights and Dragons last played each other.

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'Know the footy we can play': Dragons five-eighth Daniel Atkinson

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By Michael Doyle

St George Illawarra are coming off a bye.

The Dragons have just one win this season, but it was recent.

In fairness, the Dragons have played some of their best footy in their past two outings.

A stunning 30-26 win over the Broncos at Lang Park in round 13 was the highlight of the year to date.

In round 14, they led 12-6 at half-time against the Cronulla Sharks, but then faded in the second half to lose 34-12.

Dragons five-eighth Daniel Atkinson said his side will be trying to replicate the good moments of their recent form in their bid to achieve a second win tonight.

"We had a really strong 40 minutes against the Sharks at Shark Park, but we didn't come out of the sheds in the second half," he tells Fox League.

"I think we just need to replicate the first 40 [against Sharks]. stick to our process, know the footy we can play and just stick to what works for us."

Newcastle half Dylan Brown on the how the Knights view the Dragons tonight

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By Michael Doyle

The Knights and the Dragons played each other six weeks ago.

Knights winger Greg Marzhew scored five tries in a 44-10 win.

But Newcastle halfback Dylan Brown is not putting much stock into that this evening.

It is a new day, and in his mind, the Dragons are a different side.

"It was a big performance last time, but they've changed a lot,' Brown told Fox League.

"It's been a month since then, they've grabbed a win since then, so their confidence is high.

"They've been very close at half-time with almost every single team they've played."

Star Dolphins halfback Katoa out of Wests Tigers clash

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— reporting by AAP

Superstar Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa has been ruled out of the NRL clash against Wests Tigers with a minor knee injury.

Brad Schneider will start in the halves next to Kodi Nikorima in place of Katoa, who hurt his knee in last Friday's defeat of the Sydney Roosters.

Katoa played through the pain and had been running at training during the week, only to report soreness closer to Saturday's game at Campbelltown Stadium.

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The 22-year-old is having a great season and had been on stand-by to come into NSW's squad for State of Origin II had Mitch Moses succumbed to his hamstring injury.

Kristian Woolf is "very confident" the fourth-placed Dolphins will have Katoa back for their heavyweight clash against the Warriors in round 17.

"He's a really important player for us, so it's a smart decision just to give him a week there," the Dolphins coach said.

"He'll be right for next week, it's not a major injury at all.

"But I didn't want him out there worried about an injury or worry about re-hurting something and to have that in the back of his mind and not play at his best."

Katoa's absence further depletes the Dolphins, who are resting Origin representatives Selwyn Cobbo, Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Tom Flegler and Max Plath.

The Tigers' lone Origin representative, Api Koroisau, did not make it onto the field for NSW on Wednesday night so will start at hooker as planned.

Maroons forward Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and NSW's Jack Bostock will line up for the Dolphins, with the former making his debut with a cameo in Origin II and the latter an unused substitute.

More debate on the NRL scheduling

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By Michael Doyle

Evening Michael. Gotta say, Hannay has a point but isn't the first to make it. NRL scheduling rationale is highly questionable, to be diplomatic. Women's State of Origin, U19 State of Origin, Warriors' road trip, etc. Yet the NRL never seem to be called to account for their decisions. Why is that ?

- Old timer

G’day Michael. Your comment re ‘commercialisation’ hits the nail on the head for all sports these days . Fans come down the list . The NRL would have had first dibs on Robina Stadium and I would think some ‘compensation’ was involved to get the Asian Cup on there. At least we don’t have the new ‘hydration breaks’ like soccer World Cup (yet).

- Phillip

It appears we have struck a chord with the readers.

There are few messages that have come in about the scheduling of rugby league.

I'm not sure there is much for the NRL to be held accountable for, because scheduling is a very difficult assignment.

I wouldn't want that job.

And it should be said that whatever the NRL is doing at the moment, as a whole, is working.

TV viewership is very strong. Match day attendance seems to be better than in other seasons.

There will always be head-scratchers.

The Titans and Warriors, having long stints away from their home grounds, are great examples: It must be said the Titans couldn't have their stadium at the start of the year, and the Warriors' stint away from Mt Smart Stadium included a sell-out home game in Wellington.

Like I said earlier, I think the Women's State of Origin is the big one.

The players want a longer NRLW season.

Viewership for the Women's Origin is outstanding, and the NRLW TV viewership enjoys healthy numbers.

If the NRL decide to pull the trigger and extend the NRLW, making it a really solid professional comp, I reckon a lot of other sports in this country will be very nervous about losing kids to rugby league.