In an exciting NRL match at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday night, the Newcastle Knights claimed a well-deserved 34-24 victory over the Warriors.
The Knights started the game on the front foot, with Dominic Young crossing the line in just the 5th minute of the game. The Warriors hit back through Adam Pompey in the 22nd minute, but the Knights responded quickly with tries to Greg Marzhew and Tyson Frizell in the 18th and 28th minute respectively.
With Phoenix Crossland crossing for the Knights in the 36th minute, the halftime score was 22-6 in favour of the home side.
The Warriors came out firing in the second half, with Pompey scoring his second try of the game in the 49th minute. However, any hopes of a comeback were soon extinguished when Kurt Mann scored for the Knights in the 64th minute, followed by a second try for Marzhew in the 69th minute.
The Warriors fought on, with Edward Kosi and Jackson Ford crossing for tries in the 55th and 71st minute respectively, but it was too little too late as the Knights secured the 34-24 victory.
Lachlan Miller was a standout for the Knights, kicking five out of six goals, while Shaun Johnson was perfect for the Warriors, kicking all four of his attempts.
The Knights will come away with a concern, Jayden Brailey leaving the field during the match with a leg injury, sadly to the same leg which saw him miss plenty of last season.
It was a thrilling match played in front of a vocal crowd at McDonald Jones Stadium, and the Knights will be thrilled to have secured the win and continued their inspiring start to the 2023 campaign.