Foran in a world of pain
Spicy few minutes to start, but there is some concern for Kieran Foran who comes to the sideline to receive some treatment for what looks a dislocated finger. It’s strapped back up and he’s returned to the defensive line, but I don’t think he’s in a great deal of comfort. We’ll keep an eye on that throughout the night.
And there’s the first player put on report with Broncos prop Matt Lodge throwing out a lazy arm to catch Brad Parker high. No sin bin, but something the match review committee will take an interest in.
Kick off
Only one change from the starting 17s named earlier in the week. Sean Keppie replaces the returning Martin Taupau in the starting side for the Sea Eagles.
What will Tommy Trbojevic do tonight?
Jamyane Isaako kicks off for the Broncos…
Sea Eagles and the Broncos up next
Welcome to the second game of the Friday night doubleheader to start Magic Round, Adam Pengilly taking over from Phil Lutton who guided the ship through a crazy first game in which the Tigers gave their fans a glimmer of hope.
Manly v Brisbane up now at Suncorp Stadium – a home game for the Sea Eagles. No one ever said rugby league was normal.
FULLTIME: Tigers 36 Knights 18
And so comes to an end a strange, strange contest that was won with relative ease by the Tigers. Newcastle never in the hunt but the take away will be the four sin-binnings for ruck infringements. It just seems like yet another layer of officiating on top of all the extra officiating we already have with the six-again restarts. The game is already hectic enough at the moment without half an hour or more of 13 v 12.
Anyway one down, Brisbane-Manly next to come.
Now Mbye sin binned! This is madness
Last play of the game, Knights score, Mbye off, game over. What did we just watch?
Now another sin bin for a ruck infringement
This time it’s Lachlan Fitzgibbon. Third one of the night. This isn’t my cup of tea I must say, we already have the six-again in place for ruck infringements and that’s crazy enough, now guys are getting marched left, right and centre. Tigers winning handsomely, by the way. Nearly there folks.
Newcastle butcher one badly there
That would have made things interesting but they blow it bigtime. Had about five on two in open play and some very badly timed passes and schoolboy execution sees them bomb it. Ended up with a mad little kick in behind, they get the restart then make an error. Crazy football. Still 36-14.
Now Joe Ofahengaue off to the sin bin
Again, for repeated ruck infringements. I can’t keep up with the NRL and their various crackdowns. Anyway, Knights are over through Jayden Brailey, strolls over from dummy half and Newcastle can pad their score a bit here in the final 10 or so minutes. It’s 36-14.
Now Hoy dislocates his finger.. he wants the trainer
And that gets sorted but gee he’s having a tough night the Newcastle fullback.
Adam Doueihi is carving them up… he’s OVER
Plenty of debate about his move to the centres but he’s been terrific tonight. Pounces on the error from Tex Hoy and gets the double. It’s 36-8 and this is getting into very messy territory for the Knights now.