Match Centre

Fulltime at Hunter Stadium. Its the Brisbane Broncos winning 31-18 and gaining a valuable 2 points on the competition ladder despite missing 6 players. Brisbane came out a different side in the second half and blew the Knights away.

Brisbane Broncos 31-18

Leilua bursts through and is cut down centimetres from the line. Great tackle Lachlan Maranta after being palmed off.

Brisbane Broncos 31-18

Superb take from Jordan Kahu diffusing a dangerous bomb, has been a star in the second half.

Brisbane Broncos 30-18

Great kick from Andrew McCullough, gives his troops a spell by finding touch. Knights work it out from their own end.

Brisbane Broncos 30-18

Penalty Knights. Stagg holds onto Uate too long. Strong run from Uate.

Brisbane Broncos 30-18

Milford puts Reid away again, who finds Oates, Gagai makes a strong tackle this time round.

Brisbane Broncos 30-18

Jordan Kahu strides away and is pulled down by Tariq Sims and is penalised for holding on too long. Penalty right in front for Brisbane.

Brisbane Broncos 28-18

Daniel Vidot spills a towering bomb but ruled to knocked it back. Lucky call.

Brisbane Broncos 28-18

Kodi Nikorima looks to have done a medial ligament in his knee and is being assisted from the field. he has looked dangerous since coming on. Bad news for Broncos.

Brisbane Broncos 22-18

All kicks have gone to Uate's wing in the second half. He makes no mistake though.

Brisbane Broncos 22-18

Penalty Brisbane. Fa'longo takes Kahu without the ball. Silly penalty.

Brisbane Broncos 22-18

Dane Gagai makes a bust and is pulled down by the Broncos. Knights on the attack.

Brisbane Broncos 22-18

Skipper Kurt Gidley has a leg injury and is iced up and won't be back. Big blow Knights.

Brisbane Broncos 22-18

Jordan Kahu has moved back to fullback and is having a great second half.

Brisbane Broncos 22-18

Newcastle finally get the ball in the second half and the tempo has picked up in this match.

Brisbane Broncos 22-18

Penalty Brisbane. Houston hits Glenn high and Newcastle under pressure again. What did Wayne say to them at halftime!

Newcastle Knights 18-16

Jordan Kahu bursts through from the kick off and puts Brisbane in great position.

Newcastle Knights 18-10

And we are back in action!

Newcastle Knights 18-10

Halftime at Hunter Stadium sees Newcastle lead 18-10. Newcastle have the lead and have taken their chances when close to the line. Brisbane are playing well and Anthony Milford in particular has looked very dangerous, he and halves partner Ben Hunt have kept Brisbane in touch. For Newcastle, both the Sims brothers have been strong and their completion rate is currently 16/18. Tyrone Roberts has made a few busts and Dane Gagai has also looked likely. Very good 40 minutes coming up, Brisbane must score first in this half to give the young side some confidence, but its Newcastle currently in control leading 18-10 at halftime.

Newcastle Knights 18-10

Broncos get 6 more tackles after forcing former Bronco Dane Gagai back in goal.

Newcastle Knights 18-6

Beautiful hands from Anthony Milford puts Jack Reid away but he is shut down by Dane Gagai in cover.

Newcastle Knights 18-6

Knights force a drop out and get another set.

Newcastle Knights 18-6

Tyrone Roberts slices through and is brought down 15m out. Knights looking dangerous.

Newcastle Knights 12-6

Great take by Lachlan Maranta under pressure from Leilua.

Newcastle Knights 12-6

Break from Maranta and Jack Reed is tackled 10m out. Uate diffuses a cross kick and Knights are off the hook.

Newcastle Knights 12-6

Newcastle kick out of danger. Superb kick from Randall has the Broncos working out of their own half.

Newcastle Knights 12-6

Great kick from Kurt Gidley and the Knights force Vidot in goal.

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Daniel Vidot takes a bomb unchallenged and its the Broncos with the ball from their 22.

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Third penalty for the Knights and Newcastle are on the attack 30m out.

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Another penalty Knights. Some enterprising play from Gagai and Uate. Newcastle on the attack.

Brisbane Broncos 6-0

Penalty Newcastle first one of the night. Knights cross halfway on the second tackle.

Brisbane Broncos 6-0

Newcastle go for a bomb to end their set close to their end, but Lachlan Maranta makes no mistake.

Brisbane Broncos 6-0

Penalty Brisbane, Knights not getting back the 10. Broncos with the first attacking opportunity of the game.

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We are underway in Newcastle!

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Chris Houston will start the game in jersey #15.

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Late change for Newcastle, Joseph Tapine is out and veteran Clint Newton comes in.

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Welcome to Hunter Stadium where Newcastle host the Brisbane Broncos. Wayne Bennett returns to Newcastle for the first time since leaving the club in 2014.

Brisbane have lost centre Dale Copley which sees a backline re-shuffle with Jordan Kahu moving to the centres and Lachlan Maranta moves into fullback. Corey Oates comes onto the wing with Aaron Whitchurch coming into the 17.

Newcastle have lost the experienced Jeremy Smith tonight and he is replaced by Korbin Sims and Paterika Vaivai comes onto the bench.

Newcastle are hot favourites tonight due to the Broncos missing 5 players to State of Origin on Wednesday night. The Broncos halves in Anthony Milford and Ben Hunt have been in good form and will be the key if the Broncos are to cause an upset.

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