Despite losing Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown to potentially long-term injuries in the first half, the Newcastle Knights have put together a terrific and tenacious 20-point verdict over an embarrassing Manly Warringah Sea Eagles outfit at 4 Pines Park.
Newcastle quickly made Manly pay for a kickoff blunder from Luke Brooks. On the ensuing set, the Knights were aggressive and attacked down the left-hand side. Kalyn Ponga injected himself brilliantly, and quick hands from Bradman Best saw Greg Marzhew go over in the left corner. The Knights crossed for a second try inside the opening 15 minutes. Ponga was causing carnage at first receiver before allowing Dylan Brown to drag in the left edge defence to send Dom Young on his way to the corner.
Manly had to respond next and it was a physical tackle that forced the error from Jermaine McEwen. Jamal Fogarty was brought to the club for experience and fed a dummy to Trey Mooney and burnt Phoenix Crossland for pace to get a much-needed four-pointer back for the home side. Manly were building momentum off Newcastle errors and quickly levelled the scores. Tom Trbojevic charged straight over the top of Crossland from the scrumbase to slam the ball down for his side.
Newcastle found a way to break all momentum Manly generated with an early shift off a strong yardage carry from Marzhew. Sandon Smith went deep into the line to send Best on his way, he found Ponga in support and fended away from Jason Saab to score the try to extend the lead for the Knights. It was bad news for the visitors with Ponga limping off the field minutes later with an aggrevation of a hamstring injury.
Brown had to step up in the absence of Ponga following a hamstring injury and did so in style. A terrific step fooled the Manly middle defence before unleashing a flick pass to KP's replacement Fletcher Hunt to score for the visitors for their fourth try of the first half. It was a double whammy for the visitors in the shadows of half time. While all eyes were on Brown to stand up, Sandon Smith grabbed the ball with both hands to lead his team around the park. His bomb was spilled by Tom Trbojevic in a good tackle by Marzhew and Tyson Frizell scooped it up to end a 28-game try drought. But then it was disaster with Brown limping off with an MCL injury.
With Newcastle dropping like flies. Manly simply had to capitalise. From a terrific bust by Brooks down the left touchline, the Sea Eagles quickly shifted right to Tom Trbojevic. Despite a good read by Smith, he got a pass away to Haumole Olakau'atu to charge over the line for the first points of the second half. A second error from Brooks off a kickoff gave the Knights cheap field position. Smith dragged the defence over on the left edge of Manly and Hunt was able to draw the defenders over to find Young who trucked over Tom Trbojevic on his way to the line.
A penalty goal from Smith in the final ten minutes gave the Knights a 36-16 victory and an undefeated start to the season. Meanwhile, Manly are in all sorts of trouble with two losses at home to start the season.