Round 7
Newcastle Knights 20 d. Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 16

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Knights escape in thriller
Mon April 30, 2007
In the most exciting edition of Monday Night Football thus far, the Newcastle Knights have held on to defeat the Cronulla Sharks to the tone of 20-16 at Energy Australia Stadium tonight. What initially began as a grinding tussle of exemplary defence in the first half transformed into a free-flowing contest with ball movement aplenty in the second. The result has leapfrogged the Knights above Cronulla in seventh spot, while the Sharks cling within the top eight by virtue of points difference.

The game began as many expected, with defence being the keynote of both sides. The first points came through a penalty goal from Kurt Gidley, after a ball infringement by Sharks lock Greg Bird. In what largely was a turgid affair in the first half, two spectacular tries were produced by both sides. The first was through some excellent work by Brett Kearney, who fended off a charging Adam MacDougall in midfield and kicked a grubber after noticing the gaping hole on the wing as a result. The lead-up was sealed by David Simmons sliding over on the sideline, and with attempted conversion unsuccessful, the Sharks grabbed a 4-2 lead.

With no further scoring up until the last minute of the half, it was believed the scoreline would remain this way going into the break. However, Knights rookie halfback Jarrod Mullen exposed some brittle defence out wide from the Sharks which lead to a 50 metre charge down the field. Although that play was eventually halted by a desperate Simmons, the Knights capitalised from the tardy Sharks defence with Kirk Reynoldson finding his way to the line. Gidley's conversion made it 8-4 in favour of the home side at half-time.

In hindsight, that play was critical in the game's eventual outcome, as the Sharks enjoyed superior field position and possession, yet were behind at the interval. As such, it injected a new lease on life for the Knights in the second half, as they played with better attacking conviction. Akin to the play that lead to the Knights' first try, Jarrod Mullen cut a swath through the Sharks defence out wide, with two converted tries coming in the space of three minutes for the home team. With twenty minutes remaining, the Knights lead 20-4 with momentum firmly on their side.

In the following ten minutes, the Sharks appeared clueless in trying to surmount the deficit. Stray balls were thrown, unintelligent kicks were placed, and the error rate climbed swiftly. Hopes of a miraculous comeback appeared futile. However, like the Knights earlier, the Sharks found a new lease of life when Simmons expertly fended off multiple defenders to find the tryline and give his team a sniff in the 72nd minute. A sideline conversion was brilliantly dealt with by Covell to put the Sharks ten behind.

What followed was a piece of play that would have with enchanted the hearts of rugby league romantics. With the set aimlessly meandering along, Brett Kimmorley tipped a grubber kick that was hauled in by Simmons. The winger then produced a wondrous kick off the side of the boot that was gathered easily by Ben Pomeroy as he crashed over out wide. Another expert sideline conversion reduced the gap to four points, thus setting up a thrilling finale.

To the Knights' credit, they held on grimly to deny the surging Sharks. A critical decision at the end by Jarrad Maxwell may have ultimately cost Cronulla, but eventually they left their dash a tad too late. At fulltime, the scoreline read a 20-16 win to Newcastle.

With both teams providing a bulk of representation for Thursday night's City v Country fixture, there was impressive signs for NSW selectors by the performances of various individuals. For the Sharks, Greg Bird and Paul Gallen were as effective as they have been, while both Danny Buderus and Adam MacDougall were strong for the home team.

However, the best performances were courtesy of Jarrod Mullen and David Simmons, both of whom missed out on being picked for Thursday night. While Simmons' display is likely to go unnoticed by NSW selectors, Mullen's kicking game and control in general play was superlative. In what was an appealing battle between the rookie and his opposite number in Brett Kimmorley, Mullen's game tonight may have rocked him into representative thinking for Origin 1. While Kimmorley played well enough to confirm his position as favourite for the Blues halfback role, Mullen has now placed an enticing claim to partner him.


Monday Night Preview: Knights v Sharks
Mon April 30, 2007
In an emotion-charge atmosphere last week at Energy Australia Stadium, the Newcastle faithful left feeling deprived. All the grandeur they had envisaged that would accompany a glorified send-off for Andrew Johns was left to waste as Brisbane ruined the party. Their champion halfback may have played his last game four weeks ago, but it was last week where the thousands of adoring Novocastrians bade farewell, with the intent of providing closure. Whether it has been successful will be watched closely as they battle the Cronulla Sharks at Energy Australia Stadium tonight.

Despite his departure coming very early in the season, there is little doubt that Newcastle will be judged upon how they progress from Johns' leaving. Very rarely does a club lose a champion like Johns and not suffer to an extent. The Sydney Roosters still appear rudderless even two years after Brad Fittler's departure. Newcastle has now been denied their perennial cornerstone, and line up against a side eager to prove their worth in this year's competition.

Cronulla have endured a mixed start, with clinical professionalism, quality flair and erratic mediocrity rolled into one. One aspect that the side has been brilliant in is defence, which is a quintessential trait of Ricky Stuart's coaching manual. This has therefore ensured that while the Sharks' attacking ability remains a quandary, they remain very much in the contests they take part of. On paper, last week's 26-0 shut-out of the Raiders appears impressive. Yet many would argue that the Raiders were lucky to escape with that scoreline- such was Cronulla's confused approach in offence. From a Sharks perspective, they will want to manipulate the transition of the Newcastle Knights for their own benefit.

Both coaches will be keenly aware of the need to man-manage their players as efficiently as possible. The Sharks will provide seven players to Thursday's City v Country fixture, followed up with a meeting against the Warriors on Saturday night in Auckland. The Knights are granted a little more mercy, with only three members of their squad featuring on Thursday before their Round 8 clash on Sunday against the Bulldogs. Regardless, it amounts to a schedule that is sure to make both clubs fervently hope they don't lament possible misadventure.

Newcastle is not a side without character, for figures like Danny Buderus, Kurt Gidley and Steve Simpson surely demonstrate. Quality leadership is still evident within the Knights' ranks, and will need to point the side's youth in the right direction. While last week was disappointing for the thousands of Novocastrians, Brisbane's party-pooping antics attest to the need for Newcastle to step into the post-Johns era with as much strength they can acquire. With the number 7 jumper back on show, Newcastle embark on their brave new world.

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