Gallant Knights fall short of unlikely Warriors upset to round out dramatic week

The Advertiser

a day ago

They had a week from hell, but Newcastle's display against the Warriors on Sunday was a performance to be proud of.
They may have lost 20-15 - and only at the death after the Warriors scored on full-time - but what mattered was the fight Newcastle showed.
To even be in the contest, after a dozen players fell ill less than 48 hours before kick-off, was an amazing effort.
But to be just seconds away from claiming an inspiring victory, the Knights should head to Canberra next week full of confidence they can match it with the best sides.
"Really proud of the playing group, considering what they've been through in the last 48 hours," Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien said.
"We had 12 of them in bed over the last 24 hours, and for them to turn up today and put in that type of effort, I couldn't be any prouder of them."
The match, which Newcastle led 12-6 at half-time, 14-12 midway through the second half and then 15-14 after Jack Cogger's 75th-minute field goal, came after several days of critical publicity for the club.
Reports emerged early last week that Knights management were weighing up O'Brien's future - reports which are yet to be denied - and that skipper Kalyn Ponga was exploring his options for a potential off-season departure.
After just six wins in 2025, the club was put in the spotlight with just about everything analysed - on-field performances, junior development, recruitment, you name it.
But the team that took to the field at McDonald Jones Stadium, a side missing Ponga, attacking ace Fletcher Sharpe and forwards Dylan Lucas, Adam Elliott and Brodie Jones, produced a gallant display that left all the talk in the background.
O'Brien, who is undoubtedly under-pressure given the Knights have lost 12 of 18 games, hopes it might go some way silencing Newcastle's critics, but most of all he hopes it was a showing that gave the fans some belief.
Belief that the players are committed to the cause, whether placed 14th or elsewhere.
"They're not just playing for me, they're playing for our club, for our town," O'Brien said.
"They've done that all year. These boys haven't rolled over or turned it up once.
"The narrative out there that we're a basket-case or whatever, is really unfair.
"The injury-toll was understated from you guys [the media]. It's huge, it has been all year.
"They haven't lost their fight, they haven't lost their competitive spirit, their resilience - they've got that in spades.
"When you put that in a footy team, you can add some other stuff, but that's a key ingredient that you've got to have for a footy team.
"I reckon the town would be proud of them."
It was only a lucky bounce of the ball from a charge-down that allowed the Warriors to steal victory with a Leka Halasima try as the full-time siren sounded.
The Knights had looked set to cause an unlikely upset, leading on three separate occasions in the second half.
But the fourth-placed Warriors never went away. They twice drew level, and then missed a penalty kick and two field-goal attempts in a frantic final five minutes.
"I'd love nothing more than for our staff, these players first and foremost, but all those people that turn up and chant that New-cas-tle chant, I would have loved for them to win tonight," O'Brien said.
"Because the smiles on all their faces would have capped off a pretty shitty week."
Newcastle scored three tries in the opening 40 minutes to lead 12-6 at the break, after initially trailing 6-0. Fletcher Hunt (21st minute), Dane Gagai (25th) and Greg Marzhew (30th) all crossed in the space of nine minutes midway through the first half.
But O'Brien admitted Newcastle "bombed two or three" try-scoring opportunities, which ultimately "proved costly". They were also let down by their goal-kicking, but all three tries were scored close to the sideline.
After missing two conversion attempts, Jackson Hastings handed the kicking tee to Dane Gagai, but he was off the mark from out wide as well.
Some questionable refereeing decisions didn't help Newcastle's cause either.
"There was some stuff there that was hard to take," O'Brien said.
After Warriors playmaker Tanah Boyd's second attempt at a one-pointer was charged down, Halasima ran more than 30 metres to score the match-winner, barging past several Knights defenders on the right edge.
It was a heart-sinking moment for the Knights faithful among the 21,117-strong crowd, but a thrilling end to an entertaining match.
The loss has all but killed off Newcastle's faint finals hopes.
They are now eight points, or four wins, outside the top eight with six games left to play, and a bye.
The Warriors improved their season record to 12 wins and five losses, but remained fourth.
The Knights head to Canberra next weekend to face the ladder-leading Raiders.
Having lost to the competition front-runners 22-18 less than a month ago, after Sunday's performance - if they recover well from the virus outbreak - there is reason to believe Newcastle are capable of a boilover in the nation's capital.
They had a week from hell, but Newcastle's display against the Warriors on Sunday was a performance to be proud of.
They may have lost 20-15 - and only at the death after the Warriors scored on full-time - but what mattered was the fight Newcastle showed.
To even be in the contest, after a dozen players fell ill less than 48 hours before kick-off, was an amazing effort.
But to be just seconds away from claiming an inspiring victory, the Knights should head to Canberra next week full of confidence they can match it with the best sides.
"Really proud of the playing group, considering what they've been through in the last 48 hours," Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien said.
"We had 12 of them in bed over the last 24 hours, and for them to turn up today and put in that type of effort, I couldn't be any prouder of them."
The match, which Newcastle led 12-6 at half-time, 14-12 midway through the second half and then 15-14 after Jack Cogger's 75th-minute field goal, came after several days of critical publicity for the club.
Reports emerged early last week that Knights management were weighing up O'Brien's future - reports which are yet to be denied - and that skipper Kalyn Ponga was exploring his options for a potential off-season departure.
After just six wins in 2025, the club was put in the spotlight with just about everything analysed - on-field performances, junior development, recruitment, you name it.
But the team that took to the field at McDonald Jones Stadium, a side missing Ponga, attacking ace Fletcher Sharpe and forwards Dylan Lucas, Adam Elliott and Brodie Jones, produced a gallant display that left all the talk in the background.
O'Brien, who is undoubtedly under-pressure given the Knights have lost 12 of 18 games, hopes it might go some way silencing Newcastle's critics, but most of all he hopes it was a showing that gave the fans some belief.
Belief that the players are committed to the cause, whether placed 14th or elsewhere.
"They're not just playing for me, they're playing for our club, for our town," O'Brien said.
"They've done that all year. These boys haven't rolled over or turned it up once.
"The narrative out there that we're a basket-case or whatever, is really unfair.
"The injury-toll was understated from you guys [the media]. It's huge, it has been all year.
"They haven't lost their fight, they haven't lost their competitive spirit, their resilience - they've got that in spades.
"When you put that in a footy team, you can add some other stuff, but that's a key ingredient that you've got to have for a footy team.
"I reckon the town would be proud of them."
It was only a lucky bounce of the ball from a charge-down that allowed the Warriors to steal victory with a Leka Halasima try as the full-time siren sounded.
The Knights had looked set to cause an unlikely upset, leading on three separate occasions in the second half.
But the fourth-placed Warriors never went away. They twice drew level, and then missed a penalty kick and two field-goal attempts in a frantic final five minutes.
"I'd love nothing more than for our staff, these players first and foremost, but all those people that turn up and chant that New-cas-tle chant, I would have loved for them to win tonight," O'Brien said.
"Because the smiles on all their faces would have capped off a pretty shitty week."
Newcastle scored three tries in the opening 40 minutes to lead 12-6 at the break, after initially trailing 6-0. Fletcher Hunt (21st minute), Dane Gagai (25th) and Greg Marzhew (30th) all crossed in the space of nine minutes midway through the first half.
But O'Brien admitted Newcastle "bombed two or three" try-scoring opportunities, which ultimately "proved costly". They were also let down by their goal-kicking, but all three tries were scored close to the sideline.
After missing two conversion attempts, Jackson Hastings handed the kicking tee to Dane Gagai, but he was off the mark from out wide as well.
Some questionable refereeing decisions didn't help Newcastle's cause either.
"There was some stuff there that was hard to take," O'Brien said.
After Warriors playmaker Tanah Boyd's second attempt at a one-pointer was charged down, Halasima ran more than 30 metres to score the match-winner, barging past several Knights defenders on the right edge.
It was a heart-sinking moment for the Knights faithful among the 21,117-strong crowd, but a thrilling end to an entertaining match.
The loss has all but killed off Newcastle's faint finals hopes.
They are now eight points, or four wins, outside the top eight with six games left to play, and a bye.
The Warriors improved their season record to 12 wins and five losses, but remained fourth.
The Knights head to Canberra next weekend to face the ladder-leading Raiders.
Having lost to the competition front-runners 22-18 less than a month ago, after Sunday's performance - if they recover well from the virus outbreak - there is reason to believe Newcastle are capable of a boilover in the nation's capital.
They had a week from hell, but Newcastle's display against the Warriors on Sunday was a performance to be proud of.
They may have lost 20-15 - and only at the death after the Warriors scored on full-time - but what mattered was the fight Newcastle showed.
To even be in the contest, after a dozen players fell ill less than 48 hours before kick-off, was an amazing effort.
But to be just seconds away from claiming an inspiring victory, the Knights should head to Canberra next week full of confidence they can match it with the best sides.
"Really proud of the playing group, considering what they've been through in the last 48 hours," Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien said.
"We had 12 of them in bed over the last 24 hours, and for them to turn up today and put in that type of effort, I couldn't be any prouder of them."
The match, which Newcastle led 12-6 at half-time, 14-12 midway through the second half and then 15-14 after Jack Cogger's 75th-minute field goal, came after several days of critical publicity for the club.
Reports emerged early last week that Knights management were weighing up O'Brien's future - reports which are yet to be denied - and that skipper Kalyn Ponga was exploring his options for a potential off-season departure.
After just six wins in 2025, the club was put in the spotlight with just about everything analysed - on-field performances, junior development, recruitment, you name it.
But the team that took to the field at McDonald Jones Stadium, a side missing Ponga, attacking ace Fletcher Sharpe and forwards Dylan Lucas, Adam Elliott and Brodie Jones, produced a gallant display that left all the talk in the background.
O'Brien, who is undoubtedly under-pressure given the Knights have lost 12 of 18 games, hopes it might go some way silencing Newcastle's critics, but most of all he hopes it was a showing that gave the fans some belief.
Belief that the players are committed to the cause, whether placed 14th or elsewhere.
"They're not just playing for me, they're playing for our club, for our town," O'Brien said.
"They've done that all year. These boys haven't rolled over or turned it up once.
"The narrative out there that we're a basket-case or whatever, is really unfair.
"The injury-toll was understated from you guys [the media]. It's huge, it has been all year.
"They haven't lost their fight, they haven't lost their competitive spirit, their resilience - they've got that in spades.
"When you put that in a footy team, you can add some other stuff, but that's a key ingredient that you've got to have for a footy team.
"I reckon the town would be proud of them."
It was only a lucky bounce of the ball from a charge-down that allowed the Warriors to steal victory with a Leka Halasima try as the full-time siren sounded.
The Knights had looked set to cause an unlikely upset, leading on three separate occasions in the second half.
But the fourth-placed Warriors never went away. They twice drew level, and then missed a penalty kick and two field-goal attempts in a frantic final five minutes.
"I'd love nothing more than for our staff, these players first and foremost, but all those people that turn up and chant that New-cas-tle chant, I would have loved for them to win tonight," O'Brien said.
"Because the smiles on all their faces would have capped off a pretty shitty week."
Newcastle scored three tries in the opening 40 minutes to lead 12-6 at the break, after initially trailing 6-0. Fletcher Hunt (21st minute), Dane Gagai (25th) and Greg Marzhew (30th) all crossed in the space of nine minutes midway through the first half.
But O'Brien admitted Newcastle "bombed two or three" try-scoring opportunities, which ultimately "proved costly". They were also let down by their goal-kicking, but all three tries were scored close to the sideline.
After missing two conversion attempts, Jackson Hastings handed the kicking tee to Dane Gagai, but he was off the mark from out wide as well.
Some questionable refereeing decisions didn't help Newcastle's cause either.
"There was some stuff there that was hard to take," O'Brien said.
After Warriors playmaker Tanah Boyd's second attempt at a one-pointer was charged down, Halasima ran more than 30 metres to score the match-winner, barging past several Knights defenders on the right edge.
It was a heart-sinking moment for the Knights faithful among the 21,117-strong crowd, but a thrilling end to an entertaining match.
The loss has all but killed off Newcastle's faint finals hopes.
They are now eight points, or four wins, outside the top eight with six games left to play, and a bye.
The Warriors improved their season record to 12 wins and five losses, but remained fourth.
The Knights head to Canberra next weekend to face the ladder-leading Raiders.
Having lost to the competition front-runners 22-18 less than a month ago, after Sunday's performance - if they recover well from the virus outbreak - there is reason to believe Newcastle are capable of a boilover in the nation's capital.
They had a week from hell, but Newcastle's display against the Warriors on Sunday was a performance to be proud of.
They may have lost 20-15 - and only at the death after the Warriors scored on full-time - but what mattered was the fight Newcastle showed.
To even be in the contest, after a dozen players fell ill less than 48 hours before kick-off, was an amazing effort.
But to be just seconds away from claiming an inspiring victory, the Knights should head to Canberra next week full of confidence they can match it with the best sides.
"Really proud of the playing group, considering what they've been through in the last 48 hours," Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien said.
"We had 12 of them in bed over the last 24 hours, and for them to turn up today and put in that type of effort, I couldn't be any prouder of them."
The match, which Newcastle led 12-6 at half-time, 14-12 midway through the second half and then 15-14 after Jack Cogger's 75th-minute field goal, came after several days of critical publicity for the club.
Reports emerged early last week that Knights management were weighing up O'Brien's future - reports which are yet to be denied - and that skipper Kalyn Ponga was exploring his options for a potential off-season departure.
After just six wins in 2025, the club was put in the spotlight with just about everything analysed - on-field performances, junior development, recruitment, you name it.
But the team that took to the field at McDonald Jones Stadium, a side missing Ponga, attacking ace Fletcher Sharpe and forwards Dylan Lucas, Adam Elliott and Brodie Jones, produced a gallant display that left all the talk in the background.
O'Brien, who is undoubtedly under-pressure given the Knights have lost 12 of 18 games, hopes it might go some way silencing Newcastle's critics, but most of all he hopes it was a showing that gave the fans some belief.
Belief that the players are committed to the cause, whether placed 14th or elsewhere.
"They're not just playing for me, they're playing for our club, for our town," O'Brien said.
"They've done that all year. These boys haven't rolled over or turned it up once.
"The narrative out there that we're a basket-case or whatever, is really unfair.
"The injury-toll was understated from you guys [the media]. It's huge, it has been all year.
"They haven't lost their fight, they haven't lost their competitive spirit, their resilience - they've got that in spades.
"When you put that in a footy team, you can add some other stuff, but that's a key ingredient that you've got to have for a footy team.
"I reckon the town would be proud of them."
It was only a lucky bounce of the ball from a charge-down that allowed the Warriors to steal victory with a Leka Halasima try as the full-time siren sounded.
The Knights had looked set to cause an unlikely upset, leading on three separate occasions in the second half.
But the fourth-placed Warriors never went away. They twice drew level, and then missed a penalty kick and two field-goal attempts in a frantic final five minutes.
"I'd love nothing more than for our staff, these players first and foremost, but all those people that turn up and chant that New-cas-tle chant, I would have loved for them to win tonight," O'Brien said.
"Because the smiles on all their faces would have capped off a pretty shitty week."
Newcastle scored three tries in the opening 40 minutes to lead 12-6 at the break, after initially trailing 6-0. Fletcher Hunt (21st minute), Dane Gagai (25th) and Greg Marzhew (30th) all crossed in the space of nine minutes midway through the first half.
But O'Brien admitted Newcastle "bombed two or three" try-scoring opportunities, which ultimately "proved costly". They were also let down by their goal-kicking, but all three tries were scored close to the sideline.
After missing two conversion attempts, Jackson Hastings handed the kicking tee to Dane Gagai, but he was off the mark from out wide as well.
Some questionable refereeing decisions didn't help Newcastle's cause either.
"There was some stuff there that was hard to take," O'Brien said.
After Warriors playmaker Tanah Boyd's second attempt at a one-pointer was charged down, Halasima ran more than 30 metres to score the match-winner, barging past several Knights defenders on the right edge.
It was a heart-sinking moment for the Knights faithful among the 21,117-strong crowd, but a thrilling end to an entertaining match.
The loss has all but killed off Newcastle's faint finals hopes.
They are now eight points, or four wins, outside the top eight with six games left to play, and a bye.
The Warriors improved their season record to 12 wins and five losses, but remained fourth.
The Knights head to Canberra next weekend to face the ladder-leading Raiders.
Having lost to the competition front-runners 22-18 less than a month ago, after Sunday's performance - if they recover well from the virus outbreak - there is reason to believe Newcastle are capable of a boilover in the nation's capital.