Bolton shines as Dockers rain on Suns' parade
Fremantle star Shai Bolton kicked three goals to get one over former mentor Damien Hardwick, inspiring his side to a hard-fought 11-point win against fast-finishing Gold Coast.
Bolton showcased his elite talent in wet and wild conditions, leading the Dockers to a precious 11.9 (75) to 9.10 (64) victory at People First Stadium on Saturday.
Highlighted as Fremantle's 'barometer' by ex-Richmond boss Hardwick in the build-up to the game, Bolton shone in the front half with 20 disposals.
But his late tackle on Nick Holman was every bit as important, directly leading to Jye Amiss's match-sealing goal in the final 30 seconds.
The Dockers had led by a game-high 20 points in the final quarter, but saw the lead trimmed to five as Gold Coast gave them a huge scare.
A third straight victory put the Dockers (7-5) into the top eight, while the Suns (8-3) suffered just their third loss of the season – and their first on home turf.
Caleb Serong (27 disposals, six clearances) and stand-in captain Andrew Brayshaw (30, five) were important for Fremantle, and Patrick Voss stood tall in attack with a career-best three goals and eight tackles.
Luke Jackson (27 disposals, 20 hit-outs) was influential as a ruckman, and Jordan Clark (30 touches) was composed in defence.
Gold Coast captain Noah Anderson was immense with game-high tallies of 39 disposals and 12 clearances.
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The Advertiser
10 hours ago
- The Advertiser
'Not the best fullback': Knights legend criticises Ponga, but coach defends his star
Knights legend Robbie O'Davis has called for Queensland to bench Kalyn Ponga for Origin II and criticised the Newcastle skipper's club form, labelling him "not the best fullback". O'Davis' comments on a fan podcast come as another ex-Knight tossed up Boyd Cordner as a potential replacement for Knights coach Adam O'Brien should he be sacked. Ponga, who has missed Newcastle's past two games due to Origin and injury, is yet to score a try in 10 NRL games this season and struggled to make an impact in Queensland's 18-6 loss to NSW last week. A two-time premiership winner with the Knights and former Queensland fullback, O'Davis said Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who played centre in Origin I, could be a better option for the Maroons. "I'd put an in-form player like Hammer back at fullback," O'Davis said, speaking on The Knighted podcast. "KP is going to end up being the best player we've ever seen, the way he moves laterally ... He moves forward and laterally at the same speed, and no one has ever seen that before ... He is just a freakish talent. "[But] he has never been taught, I think, to play fullback. "He stands 60 yards back on play one ... He runs out of the defensive line on plays four and five to try and make a tackle on the kicker when he is supposed to be back there catching it. "Just little stuff like that. He jumps with the wrong knee in the air ... He is a bloody good player, but he is just not the best fullback. "There are a lot better fullbacks than him." O'Davis, who was part of Newcastle's 1997 and 2001 premierships, and played 223 games for the club and 12 Origins for Queensland, said he felt Ponga was too involved in Newcastle's play-making, rather than operating like a traditional fullback. But he acknowledged Newcastle's injury toll this season, particularly the loss of centre Bradman Best. "He is getting in the habit of getting in front of his halves at club level," the 52-year-old, who also played eight Tests for Australia, said of Ponga. "It's something he does very well at times, he plays our halves out of form a lot of the time ... [but] someone has got to get in his ear and say, 'Kalyn, you're such a good runner, you're the best ball-break runner in the game' ... [but] we're missing Bradman a bit I think ... KP can show him the ball a few times and then make the decision of whether he gives it to him. "Having Kalyn come off the bench [in Origin], he could run out of dummy-half and tear a side apart." Ponga, who is now in his 10th season of first grade, may be yet to cross the try-line in a struggling Knights side, but he is averaging 161 run-metres per game and has notched six try-assists in 2025. Asked about his marquee player's form on Wednesday, Knights coach Adam O'Brien said Ponga was a "product" of Newcastle's collective battles this season. "It's unrealistic and unfair to put a heap of pressure on Kalyn when we've had the amount of injuries and suspensions, and lack of go-forward and lack of experience," O'Brien said. "He is a product of having to go through that. "And I think he is not on his own, there's some other guys there ... you can see [in] the games ... when we've had that on deck, we've played quite well and there hasn't been as much noise. "The moment they're absent, people seem to forget that they're absent and then all the pressure comes back on Kalyn." O'Brien confirmed Ponga would start against Manly at McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday night but had struggled with an ankle problem. He has also dealt with a rib issue. He said the skipper, 27, felt the weight of expectation and was desperate to try to turn Newcastle's season around. "He realises the position as much as anyone else that we're in, and he understands the importance of getting out there and fighting hard together," O'Brien said. "He is excited to get out there and help." Newcastle are third last, or 15th, ahead of hosting seventh-placed Manly, who are coming off a 34-6 win over Brisbane last week. Much like recent seasons when Newcastle's form and ladder position has dipped, O'Brien's future has come into the spotlight this year, and on Wednesday the club's former recruitment officer - and player - Alex McKinnon suggested if the coach was moved on, the club should look at former Roosters, NSW and Australian skipper Boyd Cordner. "Let me be very clear, I don't think Newcastle should part ways with Adam O'Brien, I've been one of his biggest supporters from day one," McKinnon wrote in his semi-regular Fox Sports column. "But the NRL is becoming an increasingly fickle business and as they say, it's a lot easier to sack the coach than half the players. "So if the Knights do call it a day on Adam's six-year tenure, I have the perfect replacement - albeit a little left field. "I think the three things Newcastle needs when it comes to hiring a coach are a big name, a proven winner and if possible somebody from the area." McKinnon stopped short of suggesting club legends Andrew and Matthew Johns, but said Cordner was developing into an elite coach in his lower-grade role at the Roosters and an assistant for the Blues. "To coach the Knights you need a presence and Boyd certainly has that. He's hugely respected in Newcastle where he's still got plenty of family and friends. "He won premierships, Origin series, World Cups; everywhere Boyd went, he won. "With the greatest of respect to Josh Hannay or Matt King or Ben Gardner, who appear to be next in line for a NRL head coach role, Knights supporters need a name they can really identify with and throw their support behind." With Newcastle potentially just a loss away from falling to dead last, O'Brien, who is in his sixth season at the Knights, said the spotlight and pressure was part and parcel of the game. "There's always pressure. I'm no different to the players," O'Brien said. "We hear all the outside noise. "But like I said to the playing group, how we behave, how we act and how we look after each other in this period, it absolutely includes me. "I can't worry about it. I've just got to focus to do my part to help them get out of this. "We're all in it together." Knights legend Robbie O'Davis has called for Queensland to bench Kalyn Ponga for Origin II and criticised the Newcastle skipper's club form, labelling him "not the best fullback". O'Davis' comments on a fan podcast come as another ex-Knight tossed up Boyd Cordner as a potential replacement for Knights coach Adam O'Brien should he be sacked. Ponga, who has missed Newcastle's past two games due to Origin and injury, is yet to score a try in 10 NRL games this season and struggled to make an impact in Queensland's 18-6 loss to NSW last week. A two-time premiership winner with the Knights and former Queensland fullback, O'Davis said Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who played centre in Origin I, could be a better option for the Maroons. "I'd put an in-form player like Hammer back at fullback," O'Davis said, speaking on The Knighted podcast. "KP is going to end up being the best player we've ever seen, the way he moves laterally ... He moves forward and laterally at the same speed, and no one has ever seen that before ... He is just a freakish talent. "[But] he has never been taught, I think, to play fullback. "He stands 60 yards back on play one ... He runs out of the defensive line on plays four and five to try and make a tackle on the kicker when he is supposed to be back there catching it. "Just little stuff like that. He jumps with the wrong knee in the air ... He is a bloody good player, but he is just not the best fullback. "There are a lot better fullbacks than him." O'Davis, who was part of Newcastle's 1997 and 2001 premierships, and played 223 games for the club and 12 Origins for Queensland, said he felt Ponga was too involved in Newcastle's play-making, rather than operating like a traditional fullback. But he acknowledged Newcastle's injury toll this season, particularly the loss of centre Bradman Best. "He is getting in the habit of getting in front of his halves at club level," the 52-year-old, who also played eight Tests for Australia, said of Ponga. "It's something he does very well at times, he plays our halves out of form a lot of the time ... [but] someone has got to get in his ear and say, 'Kalyn, you're such a good runner, you're the best ball-break runner in the game' ... [but] we're missing Bradman a bit I think ... KP can show him the ball a few times and then make the decision of whether he gives it to him. "Having Kalyn come off the bench [in Origin], he could run out of dummy-half and tear a side apart." Ponga, who is now in his 10th season of first grade, may be yet to cross the try-line in a struggling Knights side, but he is averaging 161 run-metres per game and has notched six try-assists in 2025. Asked about his marquee player's form on Wednesday, Knights coach Adam O'Brien said Ponga was a "product" of Newcastle's collective battles this season. "It's unrealistic and unfair to put a heap of pressure on Kalyn when we've had the amount of injuries and suspensions, and lack of go-forward and lack of experience," O'Brien said. "He is a product of having to go through that. "And I think he is not on his own, there's some other guys there ... you can see [in] the games ... when we've had that on deck, we've played quite well and there hasn't been as much noise. "The moment they're absent, people seem to forget that they're absent and then all the pressure comes back on Kalyn." O'Brien confirmed Ponga would start against Manly at McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday night but had struggled with an ankle problem. He has also dealt with a rib issue. He said the skipper, 27, felt the weight of expectation and was desperate to try to turn Newcastle's season around. "He realises the position as much as anyone else that we're in, and he understands the importance of getting out there and fighting hard together," O'Brien said. "He is excited to get out there and help." Newcastle are third last, or 15th, ahead of hosting seventh-placed Manly, who are coming off a 34-6 win over Brisbane last week. Much like recent seasons when Newcastle's form and ladder position has dipped, O'Brien's future has come into the spotlight this year, and on Wednesday the club's former recruitment officer - and player - Alex McKinnon suggested if the coach was moved on, the club should look at former Roosters, NSW and Australian skipper Boyd Cordner. "Let me be very clear, I don't think Newcastle should part ways with Adam O'Brien, I've been one of his biggest supporters from day one," McKinnon wrote in his semi-regular Fox Sports column. "But the NRL is becoming an increasingly fickle business and as they say, it's a lot easier to sack the coach than half the players. "So if the Knights do call it a day on Adam's six-year tenure, I have the perfect replacement - albeit a little left field. "I think the three things Newcastle needs when it comes to hiring a coach are a big name, a proven winner and if possible somebody from the area." McKinnon stopped short of suggesting club legends Andrew and Matthew Johns, but said Cordner was developing into an elite coach in his lower-grade role at the Roosters and an assistant for the Blues. "To coach the Knights you need a presence and Boyd certainly has that. He's hugely respected in Newcastle where he's still got plenty of family and friends. "He won premierships, Origin series, World Cups; everywhere Boyd went, he won. "With the greatest of respect to Josh Hannay or Matt King or Ben Gardner, who appear to be next in line for a NRL head coach role, Knights supporters need a name they can really identify with and throw their support behind." With Newcastle potentially just a loss away from falling to dead last, O'Brien, who is in his sixth season at the Knights, said the spotlight and pressure was part and parcel of the game. "There's always pressure. I'm no different to the players," O'Brien said. "We hear all the outside noise. "But like I said to the playing group, how we behave, how we act and how we look after each other in this period, it absolutely includes me. "I can't worry about it. I've just got to focus to do my part to help them get out of this. "We're all in it together." Knights legend Robbie O'Davis has called for Queensland to bench Kalyn Ponga for Origin II and criticised the Newcastle skipper's club form, labelling him "not the best fullback". O'Davis' comments on a fan podcast come as another ex-Knight tossed up Boyd Cordner as a potential replacement for Knights coach Adam O'Brien should he be sacked. Ponga, who has missed Newcastle's past two games due to Origin and injury, is yet to score a try in 10 NRL games this season and struggled to make an impact in Queensland's 18-6 loss to NSW last week. A two-time premiership winner with the Knights and former Queensland fullback, O'Davis said Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who played centre in Origin I, could be a better option for the Maroons. "I'd put an in-form player like Hammer back at fullback," O'Davis said, speaking on The Knighted podcast. "KP is going to end up being the best player we've ever seen, the way he moves laterally ... He moves forward and laterally at the same speed, and no one has ever seen that before ... He is just a freakish talent. "[But] he has never been taught, I think, to play fullback. "He stands 60 yards back on play one ... He runs out of the defensive line on plays four and five to try and make a tackle on the kicker when he is supposed to be back there catching it. "Just little stuff like that. He jumps with the wrong knee in the air ... He is a bloody good player, but he is just not the best fullback. "There are a lot better fullbacks than him." O'Davis, who was part of Newcastle's 1997 and 2001 premierships, and played 223 games for the club and 12 Origins for Queensland, said he felt Ponga was too involved in Newcastle's play-making, rather than operating like a traditional fullback. But he acknowledged Newcastle's injury toll this season, particularly the loss of centre Bradman Best. "He is getting in the habit of getting in front of his halves at club level," the 52-year-old, who also played eight Tests for Australia, said of Ponga. "It's something he does very well at times, he plays our halves out of form a lot of the time ... [but] someone has got to get in his ear and say, 'Kalyn, you're such a good runner, you're the best ball-break runner in the game' ... [but] we're missing Bradman a bit I think ... KP can show him the ball a few times and then make the decision of whether he gives it to him. "Having Kalyn come off the bench [in Origin], he could run out of dummy-half and tear a side apart." Ponga, who is now in his 10th season of first grade, may be yet to cross the try-line in a struggling Knights side, but he is averaging 161 run-metres per game and has notched six try-assists in 2025. Asked about his marquee player's form on Wednesday, Knights coach Adam O'Brien said Ponga was a "product" of Newcastle's collective battles this season. "It's unrealistic and unfair to put a heap of pressure on Kalyn when we've had the amount of injuries and suspensions, and lack of go-forward and lack of experience," O'Brien said. "He is a product of having to go through that. "And I think he is not on his own, there's some other guys there ... you can see [in] the games ... when we've had that on deck, we've played quite well and there hasn't been as much noise. "The moment they're absent, people seem to forget that they're absent and then all the pressure comes back on Kalyn." O'Brien confirmed Ponga would start against Manly at McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday night but had struggled with an ankle problem. He has also dealt with a rib issue. He said the skipper, 27, felt the weight of expectation and was desperate to try to turn Newcastle's season around. "He realises the position as much as anyone else that we're in, and he understands the importance of getting out there and fighting hard together," O'Brien said. "He is excited to get out there and help." Newcastle are third last, or 15th, ahead of hosting seventh-placed Manly, who are coming off a 34-6 win over Brisbane last week. Much like recent seasons when Newcastle's form and ladder position has dipped, O'Brien's future has come into the spotlight this year, and on Wednesday the club's former recruitment officer - and player - Alex McKinnon suggested if the coach was moved on, the club should look at former Roosters, NSW and Australian skipper Boyd Cordner. "Let me be very clear, I don't think Newcastle should part ways with Adam O'Brien, I've been one of his biggest supporters from day one," McKinnon wrote in his semi-regular Fox Sports column. "But the NRL is becoming an increasingly fickle business and as they say, it's a lot easier to sack the coach than half the players. "So if the Knights do call it a day on Adam's six-year tenure, I have the perfect replacement - albeit a little left field. "I think the three things Newcastle needs when it comes to hiring a coach are a big name, a proven winner and if possible somebody from the area." McKinnon stopped short of suggesting club legends Andrew and Matthew Johns, but said Cordner was developing into an elite coach in his lower-grade role at the Roosters and an assistant for the Blues. "To coach the Knights you need a presence and Boyd certainly has that. He's hugely respected in Newcastle where he's still got plenty of family and friends. "He won premierships, Origin series, World Cups; everywhere Boyd went, he won. "With the greatest of respect to Josh Hannay or Matt King or Ben Gardner, who appear to be next in line for a NRL head coach role, Knights supporters need a name they can really identify with and throw their support behind." With Newcastle potentially just a loss away from falling to dead last, O'Brien, who is in his sixth season at the Knights, said the spotlight and pressure was part and parcel of the game. "There's always pressure. I'm no different to the players," O'Brien said. "We hear all the outside noise. "But like I said to the playing group, how we behave, how we act and how we look after each other in this period, it absolutely includes me. "I can't worry about it. I've just got to focus to do my part to help them get out of this. "We're all in it together." Knights legend Robbie O'Davis has called for Queensland to bench Kalyn Ponga for Origin II and criticised the Newcastle skipper's club form, labelling him "not the best fullback". O'Davis' comments on a fan podcast come as another ex-Knight tossed up Boyd Cordner as a potential replacement for Knights coach Adam O'Brien should he be sacked. Ponga, who has missed Newcastle's past two games due to Origin and injury, is yet to score a try in 10 NRL games this season and struggled to make an impact in Queensland's 18-6 loss to NSW last week. A two-time premiership winner with the Knights and former Queensland fullback, O'Davis said Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, who played centre in Origin I, could be a better option for the Maroons. "I'd put an in-form player like Hammer back at fullback," O'Davis said, speaking on The Knighted podcast. "KP is going to end up being the best player we've ever seen, the way he moves laterally ... He moves forward and laterally at the same speed, and no one has ever seen that before ... He is just a freakish talent. "[But] he has never been taught, I think, to play fullback. "He stands 60 yards back on play one ... He runs out of the defensive line on plays four and five to try and make a tackle on the kicker when he is supposed to be back there catching it. "Just little stuff like that. He jumps with the wrong knee in the air ... He is a bloody good player, but he is just not the best fullback. "There are a lot better fullbacks than him." O'Davis, who was part of Newcastle's 1997 and 2001 premierships, and played 223 games for the club and 12 Origins for Queensland, said he felt Ponga was too involved in Newcastle's play-making, rather than operating like a traditional fullback. But he acknowledged Newcastle's injury toll this season, particularly the loss of centre Bradman Best. "He is getting in the habit of getting in front of his halves at club level," the 52-year-old, who also played eight Tests for Australia, said of Ponga. "It's something he does very well at times, he plays our halves out of form a lot of the time ... [but] someone has got to get in his ear and say, 'Kalyn, you're such a good runner, you're the best ball-break runner in the game' ... [but] we're missing Bradman a bit I think ... KP can show him the ball a few times and then make the decision of whether he gives it to him. "Having Kalyn come off the bench [in Origin], he could run out of dummy-half and tear a side apart." Ponga, who is now in his 10th season of first grade, may be yet to cross the try-line in a struggling Knights side, but he is averaging 161 run-metres per game and has notched six try-assists in 2025. Asked about his marquee player's form on Wednesday, Knights coach Adam O'Brien said Ponga was a "product" of Newcastle's collective battles this season. "It's unrealistic and unfair to put a heap of pressure on Kalyn when we've had the amount of injuries and suspensions, and lack of go-forward and lack of experience," O'Brien said. "He is a product of having to go through that. "And I think he is not on his own, there's some other guys there ... you can see [in] the games ... when we've had that on deck, we've played quite well and there hasn't been as much noise. "The moment they're absent, people seem to forget that they're absent and then all the pressure comes back on Kalyn." O'Brien confirmed Ponga would start against Manly at McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday night but had struggled with an ankle problem. He has also dealt with a rib issue. He said the skipper, 27, felt the weight of expectation and was desperate to try to turn Newcastle's season around. "He realises the position as much as anyone else that we're in, and he understands the importance of getting out there and fighting hard together," O'Brien said. "He is excited to get out there and help." Newcastle are third last, or 15th, ahead of hosting seventh-placed Manly, who are coming off a 34-6 win over Brisbane last week. Much like recent seasons when Newcastle's form and ladder position has dipped, O'Brien's future has come into the spotlight this year, and on Wednesday the club's former recruitment officer - and player - Alex McKinnon suggested if the coach was moved on, the club should look at former Roosters, NSW and Australian skipper Boyd Cordner. "Let me be very clear, I don't think Newcastle should part ways with Adam O'Brien, I've been one of his biggest supporters from day one," McKinnon wrote in his semi-regular Fox Sports column. "But the NRL is becoming an increasingly fickle business and as they say, it's a lot easier to sack the coach than half the players. "So if the Knights do call it a day on Adam's six-year tenure, I have the perfect replacement - albeit a little left field. "I think the three things Newcastle needs when it comes to hiring a coach are a big name, a proven winner and if possible somebody from the area." McKinnon stopped short of suggesting club legends Andrew and Matthew Johns, but said Cordner was developing into an elite coach in his lower-grade role at the Roosters and an assistant for the Blues. "To coach the Knights you need a presence and Boyd certainly has that. He's hugely respected in Newcastle where he's still got plenty of family and friends. 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