In a bizarre move, Knights coach Adam O’Brien sat himself out of the club’s first hit-out, handing the reins to assistant coach Rory Kostjasyn.
Despite the strange tactic, the Knights were dynamic early, courtesy of a solid run from half Jake Clifford to record the first points of the match.
Veteran prop David Klemmer then showed some new skills, putting backrower Jirah Momoisea into a hole to cross untouched.
“I think it is great from Klemmer,” Fox League expert Cooper Cronk said.
“That is an impressive play from a guy who normally carries the ball for a quick play the ball.”
The Bulldogs swung back the momentum, courtesy of a huge hit from rookie Declan Casey, popping the ball free for Paul Alamoti to carry it downfield.
Matt Dufty then played a brilliant cut-out to allow Jayden Okunbor to cross untouched on the right wing, opening the Bulldogs account for the night.
Only minutes later, Dufty swooped on a loose ball, charging 80 metres downfield in typical fashion to score a run-away try.
Just before half time, Adam Clune floated a ball over the Bulldogs defense, allowing Dominic Young to cross untouched on the left side of the field.
The Bulldogs then equalled the score at 16-all after a Bailey Biondi-Odo bomb went untouched from winger Brayden Musgrove.
Reece Hoffman was able to clean up the loose ball and score the field and only points of the second half.
The game finished a 16-16 draw and both teams will be happy with their performances in their first hit-out of 2022.
PONGA EMBRACING CAPTAINCY
After being named the Knights new captain only hours before kick-off in their first pre-season clash, Kalyn Ponga was clearly enjoying his new role on the field at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Coach Adam O’Brien spoke glowingly of his new skipper prior to the game, before revealing he wouldn’t take any part in the clash, handing the reigns to his assistant coach Rory Kostjasyn.
“Kalyn Ponga will be our captain this year with Brails (Brailey) going down,” O’Brien said on Fox League’s coverage of the NRL trials.
“I think the timing is right for Kalyn and the Knights and I think it is the right decision and call for us.
“He has led our whole summer both in the way that he speaks in meetings, but he is leading with actions.
“He has done close to 210 kilometres of skills this year, this time last year he was still on an exercise bike.
“So he has really lead a lot of our physical conditioning but also our meetings, he has a real glint in his eye he wants success and wants to bring it to Newcastle.”
Ponga led from the front on Monday night, bouncing straight back up from a brutal hit from Bulldogs rookie Declan Casey before making a defensive effort to try and stop winger Jayden Okunbor from scoring on the complete opposite corner of the field.
The Ponga revelation that should have rivals worried; speedster’s NRL lifeline realised — 3 Big Hits
Ponga gets absolutely FLATTENED! | 00:29
Staff Writers from Fox Sports
In a bizarre move, Knights coach Adam O’Brien sat himself out of the club’s first hit-out, handing the reins to assistant coach Rory Kostjasyn.
Despite the strange tactic, the Knights were dynamic early, courtesy of a solid run from half Jake Clifford to record the first points of the match.
Veteran prop David Klemmer then showed some new skills, putting backrower Jirah Momoisea into a hole to cross untouched.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now.
Here are the three big takeaways from tonight’s clash.
PONGA EMBRACING CAPTAINCY
After being named the Knights new captain only hours before kick-off in their first pre-season clash, Kalyn Ponga was clearly enjoying his new role on the field at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Coach Adam O’Brien spoke glowingly of his new skipper prior to the game, before revealing he wouldn’t take any part in the clash, handing the reigns to his assistant coach Rory Kostjasyn.
“Kalyn Ponga will be our captain this year with Brails (Brailey) going down,” O’Brien said on Fox League’s coverage of the NRL trials.
“I think the timing is right for Kalyn and the Knights and I think it is the right decision and call for us.
“He has led our whole summer both in the way that he speaks in meetings, but he is leading with actions.
“He has done close to 210 kilometres of skills this year, this time last year he was still on an exercise bike.
“So he has really lead a lot of our physical conditioning but also our meetings, he has a real glint in his eye he wants success and wants to bring it to Newcastle.”
Ponga led from the front on Monday night, bouncing straight back up from a brutal hit from Bulldogs rookie Declan Casey before making a defensive effort to try and stop winger Jayden Okunbor from scoring on the complete opposite corner of the field.
Bulldogs rookie Declan Casey put a huge hit on Knights star Kalyn Ponga.Source: FOX SPORTS
The early leadership signs will be encouraging for Knights fans.
“It is a privilege and an honour.. I just love the club, love the boys aand I want to take them to the big dance,” Ponga said on Fox League’s coverage of the NRL trials.
“I guess I am co-captain, but I have a bunch of leaders around me, our forward pack.
“I have always wanted to be a leader, it is something that I have been working on for two years and realising now that I am captain it is something that I really like.
“I want that expectation on my shoulders and I am really liking it.”
The Ponga revelation that should have rivals worried; speedster’s NRL lifeline realised — 3 Big Hits
Ponga gets absolutely FLATTENED! | 00:29
Staff Writers from Fox Sports
In a bizarre move, Knights coach Adam O’Brien sat himself out of the club’s first hit-out, handing the reins to assistant coach Rory Kostjasyn.
Despite the strange tactic, the Knights were dynamic early, courtesy of a solid run from half Jake Clifford to record the first points of the match.
Veteran prop David Klemmer then showed some new skills, putting backrower Jirah Momoisea into a hole to cross untouched.
Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Try 14-days free now.
Here are the three big takeaways from tonight’s clash.
PONGA EMBRACING CAPTAINCY
After being named the Knights new captain only hours before kick-off in their first pre-season clash, Kalyn Ponga was clearly enjoying his new role on the field at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Coach Adam O’Brien spoke glowingly of his new skipper prior to the game, before revealing he wouldn’t take any part in the clash, handing the reigns to his assistant coach Rory Kostjasyn.
“Kalyn Ponga will be our captain this year with Brails (Brailey) going down,” O’Brien said on Fox League’s coverage of the NRL trials.
“I think the timing is right for Kalyn and the Knights and I think it is the right decision and call for us.
“He has led our whole summer both in the way that he speaks in meetings, but he is leading with actions.
“He has done close to 210 kilometres of skills this year, this time last year he was still on an exercise bike.
“So he has really lead a lot of our physical conditioning but also our meetings, he has a real glint in his eye he wants success and wants to bring it to Newcastle.”
Ponga led from the front on Monday night, bouncing straight back up from a brutal hit from Bulldogs rookie Declan Casey before making a defensive effort to try and stop winger Jayden Okunbor from scoring on the complete opposite corner of the field.
Bulldogs rookie Declan Casey put a huge hit on Knights star Kalyn Ponga.Source: FOX SPORTS
The early leadership signs will be encouraging for Knights fans.
“It is a privilege and an honour.. I just love the club, love the boys aand I want to take them to the big dance,” Ponga said on Fox League’s coverage of the NRL trials.
“I guess I am co-captain, but I have a bunch of leaders around me, our forward pack.
“I have always wanted to be a leader, it is something that I have been working on for two years and realising now that I am captain it is something that I really like.
“I want that expectation on my shoulders and I am really liking it.”
DUFTY’S RESURGENCE
Matt Dufty was offered a lifeline by the Bulldogs in the form of a one-year contract ending at the conclusion of the season.
The 26-year-old fell out of favour at the Dragons and contract negotiations were stalled for months before his eventual exit.
Now, in his first appearance in Bulldogs colours he showed what fans initially loved about the speedy fullback.
Dufty scooped up a loose ball late in the first half at McDonald Jones Stadium, travelling 80 metres at lightning speed to score his first try for his new club.
“Matt Dufty just doing what he is good at,” Fox League expert Cooper Cronk said on Fox League’s coverage.
“Went to put pressure on Gagai and shut the gate he is gone.”
Bulldogs fans will be hoping for more of that in 2022, delivering on his ability and talent in his first half showing.
The young fullback also dished out a brilliant pass for Jayden Okunbor to cross in the corner, showing his lethal ability in the counter attack.
Dufty understands that this season will define his career, playing for an extension on his current lone-year deal.
That desperation could see the Bulldogs get the best out of the small-in-stature fullback who was begging for a change halfway through the 2021 season.
“It is a fresh start, it is refreshing you know, it is always good to learn off new people, we have the likes of Fox (Josh Addo-Carr) and Josh Jackson here who have been in the top levels of the game,” Dufty said speaking during the second half.
“The way Jacko (Jackson) carries himself at training, anyone can learn a lot about that level of professionalism.”
The former Dragon will makeup an exciting backline that boasts some of the fastest men in the league.
Former Storm flyer Josh Addo-Carr will make up the outside fringes and is known for his electric pace, while Jayden Okunbor and Brent Naden are also speedy players.
SILENT ACHIEVERS
Much has been made of the Knights halves pairing, with Luke Brooks heavily linked with a move to the Hunter after the departure of veteran Mitchell Pearce.
Adam Clune made the move from the Dragons and has slotted into the halves alongside the incumbent Jake Clifford.
While the pairing had been criticised coming into the season, they performed
admirably in the Knights first half against the Bulldogs.
The pair contributed a try and a try assist between them and 67 kick metres.
Both looked calm and delivered passes at the right time, highlighted by Clune’s brilliant floating cut-out pass to winger Dominic Young.
Clifford also showed his running game to open to game’s points tally, skipping past the first marker before fending off a Bulldogs player to cross over comfortably.
The duo looked deadly in tandem with superstar Kalyn Ponga also, feeding their dynamic speedster when needed.
Ponga often becomes a third playmaker for the Knights and Clifford and Clune dished him clean ball in open spaces.
The newly-announced captain thrives in 3-on-3 situations or overlaps on the edge of the field and found himself flying at the line multiple times thanks to some nice work from his halves.
Clune also showed his desire and commitment, chasing down Paul Alamoti in a 70 metre effort before attempting to run-down speedster Matt Dufty, who by his own admission had to stay at full speed to not be stopped.
While they may not be the flashiest pairing to grace the NRL, Clune and Clifford performed well for their first hit-out of the 2022 season and captain Kayln Ponga agreed.
“Both are good in defence, both did their job, kicking game, ran and Clifford ran the ball early which is good to see,” Ponga said on Fox League’s coverage.
“Clune is very skillful with the ball so I think as a spine we are growing, we are learning and the main thing for us is to keep building.”
