Full Time
69:00
5:30pm Sat July 20, 2024
Round 20 - McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal - Crowd: 26952
80min

FULL TIME: Not exactly a comprehensive win from Brisbane but they did look back to near their best and they'll take a 30-14 victory with glee. Match coming... right after I have a feed

79min

Adam Reynolds can't find space with a 5th tackle kick

79min

Right on the Knights line are Brisbane

78min

Brisbane so close to scoring again. They press on

78min

Another set restart to the Broncos

77min

6 AGAIN BRISBANE

77min

Reece Walsh running the ball with intent. He wants one more!

76min

Newcastle nifty up the middle. Showing a bit of fight albeit far too late

76min

Jackson Hastings must have a leg injury. Tyson Gamble tacking over the in play kicking and Kalyn Ponga attempting the most recent conversion

76min

Conversion: Knights
Attempted by Kalyn Ponga.

Ponga takes over the kicking but bends it too far. Newcastle trail 30-14

Broncos lead Knights 14 - 30 Broncos
76min

Try: Knights
Scored by Greg Marzhew. Kick to come.

But they won't stop Greg Marzhew! Jackson Hastings finds his winger who has all the space in the world

Broncos lead Knights 14 - 30 Broncos
75min

Dylan Lucas nearly scores but Jesse Arthars and Kotoni Staggs stop him

74min

Newcastle really throwing the ball around but come up with a set restart. 25m out

73min

Knights penalty for a dangerous tackle on Phoenix Crossland

73min

Adam Reynolds kick sits up perfectly but Kalyn Ponga just brings it back into the field of play

72min

Tyson Gamble with a bomb into the breeze and the hosts can't make anything of it

71min

The Knights spreading the ball. Trying everything

70min

Crossfield kick on the last from Tyson Gamble but it falls right into the arms of Corey Oates. Poor end to the set after it started so well

69min

Conversion: Knights
Kicked by Kalyn Ponga.

Kalyn Ponga converts

Broncos lead Knights 10 - 30 Broncos
69min

Greg Marzhew makes a break down the right

69min

Phoenix Crossland takes the line on

68min

Try: Knights
Scored by Mathew Croker. Kick to come.

It was Tyson Gamble who came up with a beautiful 5th tackle chip kick to find Croker who still had plenty to do chasing it down

Broncos lead Knights 8 - 30 Broncos
67min

Newcastle attacking here. 2nd tackle 40m out

66min

Patrick Carrigan comes back onto the field and Kevin Walters is spotted with a wry smile

66min

Walsh tries to put Riki through a hole

66min

Corey Jensen with a big run

65min

Conversion: Broncos
Kicked by Adam Reynolds.

Reynolds makes no mistake from right in front. Brisbane lead 30-4

Broncos lead Knights 4 - 30 Broncos
64min

Try: Broncos
Scored by Ezra Mam. Kick to come.

WHAM BAM THANK YOU MAM! Deine Mariner with the linebreak and he finds Ezra who prances over the line

Broncos lead Knights 4 - 28 Broncos
63min

Jackson Hastings has been poor in this second half and comes up with a past that goes into touch. The hosts squander another great chance

63min

Brendan Piakura is unlikely to return after suffering a groin injury

62min

Slow your brain! Reece Walsh tries a long kick but it goes out on the full. Rocks and diamonds in this second half

62min

Tyson Smoothy onto the field. Apologies if I missed it earlier but he'll take over the dummy half role

61min

Gamble seems to be doing most of the kicking here but is certainly looking respectable with a bomb that goes high and long to Corey Oates

61min

Newcastle spread it wide and Kalyn Ponga finds some space through Dylan Lucas

60min

Brendan Piakura is off with the trainers and looks to be hurt, we'll soon see how severe it is

60min

Deine Mariner with a nice run from dummy half

59min

Tough kick from Tyson Gamble but Walsh makes no mistake at the back

59min

Reece Walsh tries to DRILL it downfield but can't find touch, and Kalyn Ponga brings the ball back to his own 30m line

58min

Now it's the Broncos who are helped by a penalty to carry the ball out of their own half

57min

BIG CONTACT ON TYSON GAMBLE who manages to come up with a nice kick to the corner, but it's knocked on by Krystian Mapapalangi

56min

3-0 penalty count to the hosts in the second half and it shows. Controlling the momentum now

56min

Knights penalty. Getting a bit of groove in this second half

56min

Big carry from Greg Marzhew off the restart

56min

Conversion: Knights
Attempted by Jackson Hastings.

Hastings shanks the kick from right in front. Very poor effort. Newcastle trail 22-4

Broncos lead Knights 4 - 24 Broncos
55min

Try: Knights
Scored by Jack Hetherington. Kick to come.

Jack Hetherington storms his way over! Phoenix Crossland finds him with a nice short ball from dummy half to find the Knights first points of the night.

Broncos lead Knights 4 - 24 Broncos
54min

Newcastle spreading it and Kalyn Ponga looks dangerous

53min

Brisbane go long off the drop out

53min

Newcastle find a repeat set as the bunker takes as close look at the 5th tackle kick

53min

Newcastle close to Brisbane's line with a couple of plays left

53min

Dane Gagai is trying everything in attack but Deine Mariner is all over him

53min

Newcastle into Brisbane's half

53min

Adam Reynolds with a monster bomb and Greg Marzhew comes up with it

52min

Are Brisbane back in 2024? They'll have to face much tougher opponents than the Knights on the run home but boy they've been good tonight

51min

Conversion: Broncos
Kicked by Adam Reynolds.

The Skipper makes no mistake. Brisbane lead 24-0

Broncos lead Knights 0 - 24 Broncos
50min

Try: Broncos
Scored by Brendan Piakura. Kick to come.

Another assist for Walsh as he throws yet another pinpoint pass this time to find his second rower. Piakura crashes over

Broncos lead Knights 0 - 22 Broncos
50min

Payne Haas put on his back

49min

BRISBANE WITH A FRESH SET! Can Newcastle defend their line here?

49min

Dane Gagai knocks on and Deine Mariner nearly scores!

48min

Newcastle penalty to carry them out of their own half

48min

Walsh loses it on the last, Newcastle hang on

48min

Billy Walters into the backfield

47min

Trying to ward off two dogs, watch the game and blog at once... bear with me

47min

No he doesn't! The Bunker overturn the decision and Brisbane are awarded a 20m tap

47min

The Knights fullback chipped it over on the last and by the finest margin comes up with a repeat set

46min

Wild long ball by Kalyn Ponga goes to ground

46min

The sets on Brisbane's line are adding up here. How long can they hold on?

45min

Penalty Knights. Corey Jensen collects Kalyn Ponga up high

44min

Jackson Hastings looks dangerous but Brisbane wrap him up

44min

6 AGAIN NEWCASTLE

44min

If the Knights score here well we will have a game on our hands that for one is certain

43min

Newcastle attack from right in front

43min

Deine Mariner knock on! Reece Walsh chanced his arm but the Broncos centre couldn't hang onto the pass

43min

Tyson Gamble kicks it deep. His side needed that

42min

Newcastle pinned in their own 20. 3 plays done

42min

Brisbane throwing the ball around already. Not a conservative start by any stretch

41min

And we're underway in the second half! Brisbane with the ball off the kick off

40min

HALF TIME: Brisbane Lead 18-0 and dominated the whole half. Big second 40 coming

40min

Ezra Mam looks dangerous with 20 seconds to play in the first half

40min

Conversion: Broncos
Kicked by Adam Reynolds.

Reynolds hooks it back and converts from the sideline. Brisbane lead 18-0

Broncos lead Knights 0 - 18 Broncos
39min

Try: Broncos
Scored by Deine Mariner. Kick to come.

The hosts can't hang on this time! Reece Walsh puts the ball on a string to Deine Mariner who crashes over for his second try of the night

Broncos lead Knights 0 - 16 Broncos
38min

Walsh through to Staggs looks dangerous but Newcastle hang on

37min

Kalyn Ponga made a break but the pass to Krystian Mapapalangi was poor and he can't hang onto it

37min

Brisbane have dominated the last 25 minutes or so. Newcastle lucky to only be down by 12

36min

Adam Reynolds finds the corner right up in the Knights end. It'll take a mighty effort to bring the ball back

35min

Tyson Gamble puts it up high but its taken cleanly by Corey Oates

34min

Ezra Mam got SO CLOSE on the last but is barely held up. This now looks like the Brisbane of old, Walsh, Riki and Staggs look lethal

33min

LINE BREAK BRISBANE AND THEY NEARLY SCORE! STILL ON THE ATTACK

33min

Martin Taupau on for Brisbane and makes a nice run

33min

Good kick from the Knights and Walsh is left with no room

33min

Daniel Saifiti comes off and is replaced by his brother, Jacob Saifiti

32min

Newcastle try and work the ball out of their own 20

32min

Walsh and Mam chipping away in the middle of the field

31min

Corey Jensen bringing the ball back off the kick off

31min

Conversion: Broncos
Kicked by Adam Reynolds.

Right from the sideline this time Reynolds threads the needle. Brisbane lead 12-0

Broncos lead Knights 0 - 12 Broncos
30min

Try: Broncos
Scored by Reece Walsh. Kick to come.

WALSH IS BACK! Running the ball off the scrum down the left and no one could stop him. How good!

Broncos lead Knights 0 - 10 Broncos
29min

Knights knock on as they try and come back with with the ball through a short drop out

28min

Billy Walters runs from dummy half on the last and grubbers deep to force a drop out. It's been a great game so far from the Brisbane number 9

28min

Payne Haas marches the ball into the Knights 40

28min

And Brisbane march the ball up 10m before kicking to touch. Looked to be dissent from the Knights. Stupid play and playing right into the visitors hands

27min

Broncos penalty.

27min

Deine Mariner comes up with the Jackson Hastings' bomb

26min

Newcastle try and spread the ball on the 4th to no avail

26min

Brisbane dominating the ruck now. The Knights linespeed is slow and they have no answers to the Broncos middles

25min

Play is underway again through Corey Oates

25min

Conversion: Broncos
Kicked by Adam Reynolds.

Reynolds makes no mistake from about 20m wide. Brisbane lead 6-0

Broncos lead Knights 0 - 6 Broncos
23min

Try: Broncos
Scored by Deine Mariner. Kick to come.

Points finally! Billy Walters throws a good ball from dummy half and Brisbane's halves combine to put Mariner over

Broncos lead Knights 0 - 4 Broncos
23min

Tyson Gamble has passed his HIA and will return shortly

22min

Reece Walsh tried a kick which was cleaned up, but Leo Thompson knocks it on the in play the ball. Coach killer from the Knights

22min

Billy Walters gets over the line but is pushed back from Tyson Frizell in a strong tackle

22min

Brisbane from 5m out

21min

But there's a challenge! And it's successful! Jackson Hastings played at the last tackle kick and it's Brisbane's set restart

21min

Newcastle hold on yet again

21min

Kotoni Staggs got through multiple tackles and is barely stopped before the try line

21min

Jesse Arthars with a tackle break nearly getting through

20min

Brisbane work the ball away from outside their own half

19min

Bradman Best has officially been ruled out of the remainder of tonight's clash

19min

And a forward pass. Brisbane throw away the chance. How disappointing for them

19min

Adam Reynolds threw a wild pass and Krystian Mapapalangi had a golden chance to intercept but knocks on. Tackle count restarts

18min

Can the Knights hold on? Brisbane look dangerous

18min

Another set restart. Brisbane lose it but will take the penalty

17min

6 AGAIN BRISBANE and Payne Haas nearly gets through to score

17min

Brisbane right on the attack at Newcastle's line

17min

Penalty Brisbane. Greg Marzhew tried to intercept an Adam Reynolds pass but tipped it into his own player who was offside

16min

Corey Oates with a strong run. He's been solid tonight

16min

Shallow kick from Jackson Hastings and Jesse Arthars makes the catch on his 30m line

15min

Kudos to Tyson Frizell leaping high for the catch

15min

NEWCASTLE COME UP WITH IT ON THE SHORT DROP OUT

14min

Repeat set Brisbane. The first of the night. Adam Reynolds with a nice kick to force a drop out

14min

Reece Walsh looks very dangerous early as he makes yet another break

13min

Jackson Hastings put Kai Pearce-Paul through a beautiful hole but a diving effort from Adam Reynolds forces him to attempt to offload. Forward pass. Brisbane just hang on

13min

Another Penalty to the Knights for a late shot on Jackson Hastings

12min

6 Again to Newcastle who move their way into Brisbane's 20

12min

Newcastle penalty. Kotoni Staggs lost the ball right into Jordan Riki who was standing in an offside position. Lost opportunity by the visitors

11min

Penalty Brisbane. Momentum starting to swing back into their favour here

10min

Phoenix Crossland moving into the halves with Jayden Brailey at hooker after Gamble's HIA

10min

Bradman Best limps from the field with what looks to be a hamstring injury. Two big blows for the Knights

10min

Bradman Best looks in trouble too, pulled up quite ginger after a tackle

10min

Tyson Gamble is sent from the field for HIA in his first game back

9min

Reece Walsh makes a line break and kicks infield to Ezra Mam who can't hold onto it! Try blown by Brisbane

9min

Strong contact on Brendan Piakura who tries running it down the short side

8min

And it's a knock on by Tyson Frizell as Phoenix Crossland misses a 6-3 overlap on the right edge. Both coaches would be fuming so far

8min

Newcastle right on the attack. Near full set of 6 on Brisbane's line

7min

Leo Thompson cleans up a Reece Walsh pass that went to ground. Clunky so far from both teams

6min

Dane Gagai makes a dangerous run but Corey Oates drags him into tough. Probing start by the hosts

5min

Brisbane decided to run the ball on the last but Kotoni Staggs with an error

5min

Billy Walters nifty from dummy half finding Ezra Mam with the offload

4min

That was good attacking footy but Kalyn Ponga comes up with a knock on. Kotoni Staggs with a strong defensive effort

4min

Newcastle just outside Brisbane's 20

3min

Penalty to the hosts early inside their own half

2min

Reynolds goes for an attacking kick on the last but well defused by Newcastle

2min

Payne Haas and then Patrick Carrigan with strong runs

2min

Reece Walsh with his first carry of the night bringing back the kick

1min

Newcastle with first use of the footy sorry... gonna be a long night at this rate

1min

And we're underway! Brisbane with first use of the football

For the Knights, Dane Gagai, Kalyn Ponga and Blues Origin hero Bradman Best are all named to start

Brisbane is bolstered by the return to captain and halfback Adam Reynolds, who is joined by Reece Walsh, Payne Haas and Patrick Carrigan who all back up from Origin

For many of us, rugby league is the only constant we have in the tumultuous world we live in. For both these teams, however, they can take nothing for granted as the top eight scrap heats up. Tonight’s matchup live from McDonald Jones stadium looks to have major ramifications for both Brisbane and Newcastle's 2024 campaigns. I’m Aidan Edgecomb, and I'm thrilled to bring you live blog coverage this evening!

Referees & scorers:

Referee: Chris Butler

Touch Judges: Drew Oultram, Kieren Irons

Video Referee: Kasey Badger

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (14)
Tries: Jack Hetherington, Mathew Croker, Greg Marzhew
Field Goals:
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Jackson Hastings (0/1), Kalyn Ponga (1/2)
Penalty Goals:

BRISBANE BRONCOS (30)
Tries: Deine Mariner (2), Reece Walsh, Brendan Piakura, Ezra Mam
Field Goals:
Two Point Field Goals:
Conversions: Adam Reynolds (5/5)
Penalty Goals: