Knights over-run tiring Bulldogs 25-24
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A 12 man Bulldogs side got run down today after setting up an 18 point lead over the disjointed Newcastle Knights.
Newcastle skipper Andrew Johns has been sent to hospital and Bulldogs star Sonny Bill Williams sent off. Newcastle overcame the fourth-minute loss of their chief playmaker and a 24-8 halftime deficit to storm home against a tiring 12-man Dogs and claim victory with Kurt Gidley's 73rd minute field goal.
The big talking point, though, came just three minutes and 36 seconds into a phenomenal first-round clash when Johns was left unconscious by Williams' swinging left arm. Referee Tony Archer had no option but to give the Bulldogs backrower his marching orders, with Williams also likely to face a lengthy suspension for the high shot.
Johns, widely regarded as the world's best rugby league player, lay motionless face down on the turf for more than five minutes after the high shot. He was stretchered off wearing a neck brace, and although cleared of a neck injury, was taken straight to hospital for scans on his cheekbone.
Coach Brian Smith said Johns had suspected facial fractures. The 18,791-strong crowd watched on in silence as Johns received on-field medical attention, but as he was being taken off Knights supporters began to scream "off, off" as Archer called out Williams. "Straight in the face, knocked him out, you're off," Archer told the Kiwi backrower.
The Knights appeared shell-shocked after losing Johns, and the Bulldogs, despite being one man short, took full advantage. They raced to an 18-2 victory after 18 minutes with tries to Andrew Ryan, Luke Patten and Reni Maitua. Knights hooker Jeremy Seu Seu scored on debut in the 27th minute to stop the bleeding, before Bulldogs winger Trent Cutler gave the visitors a 24-8 halftime lead.
Newcastle regrouped at the break and came out firing to level the scores 24-24 in the 58th minute after tries to Josh Perry, Todd Polglase and James McManus. Both teams had chances to break the deadlock, but it took Gidley's wobbly field goal from 15 metres seven minutes from to eventually seal a heart-stopping win for the Knights.
The Bulldogs, though, should have stolen the match in the final minutes. Replacement Dallas McIlwain butchered a certain try in the 78th when he dropped a Cutler pass cold with the line wide open. A 40m field goal attempt from Dogs halfback Ben Roberts then fell just short in the final seconds.
SUMMARY: BULLDOGS: 24 Tries: 4 Andrew Ryan, Luke Patten, Reni Maitua, Trent Cutler Goals: 4 Hazem El Masri (4/4) Knights: 25 Tries: 4 Terence Seu Seu, Josh Perry, Todd Polglase, James McManus Goals: 4 Kurt Gidley (4/4) Field Goals Kurt Gidley (1/1)
