Knights

The Broncos overcame the loss of Adam Reynolds on the morning of the game to a groin issue and while they weren't at their attacking best without their playmaker early, they repelled Newcastle's attacking raids before shutting the Knights out in the second half.

Brisbane scored six tries to two.

Brisbane are fourth on the table and Newcastle 14th.

The Warriors play the Dragons tomorrow.

Photo credit Broncos.com.au  

In a high-quality game on Thursday night where Kalyn Ponga was dangerous as ever for Newcastle, Penrith's young guns Jarome Luai and Nathan Cleary still had the last laugh.

James Fisher-Harris was also immense in the middle for the Panthers, who have still only conceded two tries in the second half of games this year.

With the score stuck at 10-6 for what felt like an age after the break, Penrith looked in danger of dropping their first game of the year in round seven.

But in the big moments, Penrith just keep stepping up and winning.

The 31-year-old halfback is set to rejoin the group for pre-season training at the end of the week where he's expected to address teammates to apologise in an attempt to move on.

However, the situation is made even more complicated with Knights second-rower Lachlan Fitzgibbon, a close friend of the partner of the staff member who exchanged texts with Pearce.

On day one of the 2021 pre-season, general manager of football Danny Buderus said Pearce's conduct was unacceptable and confirmed the leadership of the team was under review.

After a blistering opening half and commanding performance against the Raiders last start, the combination between Feeney and Brock Lamb is only three games old but was on song once more in the first 40 minutes before falling away in a show of inexperience in shutting a game down.

Costly errors in the second half undid all that was right in the contest early on for the Knights with both Lamb and Feeney guilty of coughing up the ball on two occasions apiece and lacking any control around the ruck in contrast to the opening 40 minutes.

Speaking to Triple M, the Knights legend voiced his skepticism at the idea, as revealed by The Daily Telegraph, while also giving insight into how the Newcastle community would likely react.

"It won’t happen,” Johns told Triple M’s The Grill Team.

“Knowing the community up there. They’d set NRL headquarters on fire first.”

The NRL currently hold ownership over the Newcastle club and are desperate to sell them to private owners after back-to-back wooden spoons.

A low-scoring first half saw both sides get over for an unconverted try, with Danny Levi darting through from dummy-half for Newcastle before a Darius Boyd cut-out pass gifted Jordan Kahu an easy one in the corner. 

Sims is unsettled at Newcastle and is keen to settle at a more established and successful club, meaning there is high possibility of him walking out on the final year of his $400,000 a year contract.

Meanwhile James has reportedly been offered a big money contract by the inter-state rivals, although he is set to reject the deal and finalise a new three-year commitment to the Titans.

Bennett is desperate for a forward leader and might have to settle for only Sims, with James likely to stay put at the Gold Coast.

Kostjasyn, who grew up on the Central Coast before a stint in Melbourne, returns to the club he played 32-games for after his debut in 2010. 

“I’m looking forward to getting to the club and seeing all of the young guys tear in and improve on what they’ve built this year,” Kostjasyn said in a statement released by the Knights.

“It’s an exciting time and there’s going to be some hard work.

“It’s been seven years since I’ve lived close to family and friends, so I’m looking forward to coming back.”

Sims is set to miss one match if he pleads guilty or is found guilty at the judiciary, due to having 30 carryover points to his name.

Earlier, Dragons duo Jason Nightingale and Leeson Ah Mau and Cowboys hooker Jake Granville were hit with match review charges but all three can avoid suspensions with early pleas.

Named at lock, Taylor shifted to hooker in the second half when Matt Ballin (concussion) was ruled out of the game and certainly made an impact.

Taylor set up two of the Tigers' three tries including Luke Brooks' match-winner in the 69th minute – earning the team's Players' Player as a result in just his second game with the club. 

As veteran utility Dene Halatau reaches the twilight of his career – a player who the Tigers have depended on for the most part since 2003 – they will certainly find comfort in Taylor's arrival following his show-stealing performance.