Friday rugby league AS IT HAPPENED: Andrew Johns blasts 'hopeless' Knights after woeful loss to Roosters; Raiders coach Ricky Stuart re-signs until the end of 2025

Thanks for your company tonight.

The Dragons overcame the Sea Eagles 20-6 and the Roosters thumped the Knights 42-12.

Goodnight.

Dane Gagai allowed frustration to boil over during the Knights' dismal loss to the Roosters when he unloaded on the referee, leading to the Newcastle firebrand being marched to the sin bin.

Gagai was sin-binned at the hour mark of the Knights' 42-12 defeat to the Roosters in Newcastle on Friday night after ripping referee Peter Gough.

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League legends have raised fears over Newcastle Knights star Kalyn Ponga's long-term health after he was again rubbed from a game due to a failed head injury assessment.

Ponga left the field in the eighth minute of the Knights' Friday night clash with the Roosters after Matt Lodge collected him high with a lazy arm.

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The Roosters complete a 42-12 win over the Knights and Newcastle coaching consultant Andrew Johns doesn't hold back, labelling the team's performance "hopeless".

"The Roosters were in third gear, really," Johns says on Nine's post-game coverage.

"(James) Tedesco looked like it was the big kid playing against the small kid. He was out of this world.

"Without Kalyn Ponga (failed HIA) on the field for Newcastle they lack punch, creativity, speed.

"It was just an ordinary performance. I could say worse things, but it was just ordinary, hopeless."

Where was this when the game was still alive?

The Knights run in back-to-back tries through Phoenix Crossland and Edrick Lee in the final 10 minutes of the match, reducing the deficit to 42-12.

This is ugly.

The Roosters now lead 42-2 after three quick-fire tries through Daniel Tupou, Angus Crichton and Egan Butcher.

Tupou and Joseph Suaalii have doubles.

Explosive scenes in Newcastle as Knights centre Dane Gagai is marched to the sin bin on the hour mark for abusing the referee.

It appears that what made Gagai crack was the veteran colliding with Jared Waerea-Hargeaves off the ball and falling to the ground.

Regardless, referee Peter Gough has copped enough.

"That's the second time this set," Gough is heard saying to protesting Knights players.

"He's spraying me, swearing at me from well over there.

"I can't tolerate that."

Storm forward Brandon Smith copped a three-game ban for calling referee Adam Gee "a cheating bastard" in his side's loss to the Sharks in round 17.

Grim viewing for Knights fans early in the second half as the Roosters run in back-to-back tries.

Daniel Tupou flies high on the left wing in the 48th minute to take a Luke Keary kick and score, before Joseph Suaalii bags a second try shortly after.

The teen star crosses on the right wing to cap a simple passage of play.

The Tricolours lead 26-2.

The second half of the Knights-Roosters clash gets underway, the Tricolours leading 16-2.

A couple of rugby league legends have raised fears over the health of Kalyn Ponga after the gun Knights fullback was again rubbed from a game due to a failed head injury assessment.

Ponga failed a HIA during the opening half of the Roosters clash after Matt Lodge collected him high with a lazy arm, leaving Andrew Johns and Cameron Smith concerned.

"When you get head knocks they accumulate," Johns said on Nine's half-time coverage.

"Sometimes you just get tapped on the head and you can get concussed. That wasn't really a big contact, which is a real worry for Kalyn."

Ponga's concussion in this game followed failed HIAs in a Panthers clash in June and the second State of Origin encounter later in the month.

"Real concern, not only for Kalyn but the Newcastle Knights now," Smith said.