Match Centre

FULL-TIME: Knights 18 def Dolphins 14

Newcastle begin a series of voluntary tackles.

Fuller's pass is picked off by Hastings and now we have a push and shove.

LAST SET!

PENALTY PHINS: High tackle

Challenge unsuccessful

CHALLENGE NEW: On field call was advantage taken and a knock on.

Bostock goes for a chip and chase. Gets the bounce and the ball but loses it in contact. Armstrong runs up field and he also loses it...

Gamble boots it over the sideline.

Dolphins need to score but it was a flat pass to Aitken and he is met by Gagai.

Now Marzhew is in discomfort.

Update from Jacob Saifiti is we have none from the sideline. Meanwhile, both Bromwich's are in the garage, Jesse has a calf injury.

Jacob Saifiti will come from the field.

PENALTY NEW: Hand in the ruck.

Short dropout defused by the Knights. Jacob Saifiti limping in back play.

Ball is taken dead by Trai Fuller.

Ball is knocked down by Jamayne Isaako.

Armstrong attacks it and breaks away. This young kid might have the Knights 1 jersey under lock and key til KP returns.

Replay shows that ball was punched out by Kodi Nikorima.

Pearce-Paul puts it down for the Knights.

Ball comes off Fuller's arm - challenge is successful for the Knights.

CHALLENGE NEW: On field ruling is was touched by Phoenix Crossland.

Nikorima kicking early in the count. Averillo wins the race but loses it in the contact from Marzhew.

PENALTY PHINS: Breakdown of play for slow ruck

Another butchered try for the Dolphins! This is ridiculous how end to end this game of rugba league is.

Katoa's kick was SENSATIONAL! Bostock got it on the bounce, then found Niu who broke away. The pass got it onto Fuller but he was brought down in an incredible tackle by David Armstrong.

There's the AJ jinx. Lucas has knocked the ball on trying to play it.

Feel if Newcastle get another one, it'll be the clincher. Lots of possession to start the half for the Knights.

PENALTY NEW: Markers not square (Kurt Donoghoe)

Plath has come from the ground. Immense effort from the youngster this afternoon.

Newcastle complete their set after points.

Katoa puts it down. He had a look at it.

Tesi Niu puts it down. Newcastle will work it out of their own end.

SIX AGAIN PHINS: Ruck infringement.

Jed Cartwright with an ankle injury is OUT for the remainder of the match.

Armstrong runs sideways and as he straightens gets hit hard by Fuller.

Newcastle taken over the sidelines.

Kurt Donoghoe and Phoenix Crossland not used in the first half.

We're underway for the second 40 minutes with the Dolphins getting first use. They finished the second half strongly, their chance to go on with it in this one!

Half-Time: Knights 10 leading Dolphins 6.

Armstrong taking no prisoners. Kicking it early and just missing the ball.

Gamble's grubber has to be taken dead.

Katoa's kick has too much on it. Well defused by Marzhew.

NO TRY - big tackle from Adam Elliott.

VIDEO REF: Kennedy has a NO TRY looking to confirm Trai Fuller is held up. Every time he gets the ball it's must watch TV.

PENALTY PHINS: Inside 10m

Kenny Bromwich FAILED HIA. Jed Cartwright with an lower right leg injury.

Looks like we'll get a Newcastle play the ball and possession back.

Dolphins starting to just win possession.

Sorry, against Kai Pearce-Paul.

PENALTY PHINS: Tackle in the air against Greg Marzhew.

Phins get it wrong on the last tackle and will have to change the ball over.

SIX AGAIN PHINS: Ruck infringement.

Short dropout, defused by the home side.

Some enterprising play from the home side. Trai Fuller doing some amazing effort plays, sending Niu away before he got it back then onto JMK. He then was able to get boot to ball, which forced Marzhew to take no chances.

Kenny is a CAT 2. Jed Cartwright down for the count, looks like a lower leg injury.

Another incredible kick return from Trai Fuller. Getting the Dolphins in positive field position.

Jed Cartwright and Daniel Saifiti into the action replacing their starting props.

Looks like a cat 1 for Kenny but we'll confirm shortly.

TIME OFF: Kenny Bromwich is in DisneyLand. Big collision with Leo Thompson.

Dolphins can't execute on the goal-line. Changeover for the Knights to work it out of their own end.

From defence to attack, the Dolphins get over the Knights side of half way three tackles into the set. Thanks to an enterprising kick return from Jake Averillo.

Dolphins just seem to be a step behind the pace this afternoon. Armstrong being able to get back to just shy of half-way.

Jacob Saifiti in particular has been immense to start this one for the visitors.

SET RESTART NEW: Inside 10m.

Newcastle get an extra set. Dolphins can't defuse the kick and there in big trouble here the home side.

PENALTY NEW: Inside 10m

Newcastle still dominating the arm-wrestle.

Hastings taken on the last and it'll change over.

Nikorima saw some space, he flicked a pass out the back which was overrun by the Phins. Kai Pearce-Paul.

Bostock puts down the bomb and a big opportunity for the Knights first points.

Katoa's early kick causes all sorts for Armstrong and Tuala. Tesi Niu loses it into the head of the debutant. Early scare, but it looks like the bounce of the ball beat him.

Jayden Brailey denied by Trai Fuller and Kodi Nikorima. Some good signs for the Dolphins goal-line defence. Adam Elliott imposing himself early with some strong carries of the footy.

Newcastle winning the early exchanges up front. Dolphins working from yardage inside their own 10m line early. Need to start throwing some shots the Knights. They got a fresh set with the ball touched by one of the Phins middles.

David Armstrong taking his maiden run to get us started. Not a bad first involvement for the kid on debut. Great signs in the NSW Cup as we've seen in the League Scene's Lower Grade report. Dolphins now working it out of their own end.

GAME ON! Liam Kennedy blows time on and we are underway for Sunday Footy in Round 8 of the NRL season. Knights with first use of it running from left to right.

Referee this afternoon is Liam Kennedy in NRL match number 34. Dave Munro and Kieren Irons are on the sidelines. Man in the bunker this afternoon is Chris Butler. Enjoy this afternoon's opening fixture right here on League Unlimited with your updater AJ Lucantonio!

Sunday Footy heads to Brisbane where the high-flying Dolphins take on the under-pressure Newcastle Knights. The Dolphins proved the next man-up mentality works last weekend with a big upset against Parramatta with Trai Fuller and Max Plath playing vital roles. Newcastle were incredibly disappointing last start against the Bulldogs and will be hoping for a renewed showing this afternoon. Both sides are 1-17 respectively as we approach kickoff which will come up just after 2pm with the ANZAC ceremony to take place before kickoff.