$13 million man ices late field goal as Joey’s Knights fear laid bare
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A costly captain’s challenge marked the end of a thriller comeback attempt by the Dolphins on Sunday as the Knights claimed a 13-12 victory in Newcastle.
Two quick tries for the Dolphins put the game on its head late in the second half, with Newcastle forced to think fast to find the answer to secure the win.
Dylan Brown seen kicking a field goal against the Dolphins. Shane Myers
Dylan Brown was the man of the moment for the home side, calling for his teammates to set him up to nail a field goal from 20 metres out.
The $13 million recruit smashed the field goal with ease, however, the Dolphins’ attack were not disheartened by the one-point gap on the scoreboard.
Jamayne Isaako opted for a short kick-off to restart play minutes later, but referee Wyatt Raymond ruled that the ball had not gone 10 metres before Dolphins winger Tevita Naufahu batted it back towards his teammates.
The Dolphins wasted no time pleading for the call to be reviewed, with league greats agreeing the ball had gone over the 40m line before Naufahu hit it.
“It is well and truly over it,” Cameron Smith said on Nine.
“With this breeze, it is naturally going to swing a bit back,” Andrew Johns added.
It was then confirmed by senior review official Chris Butler that although Naufahu had leaped up from over the 10m line, he gravitates back behind that line, meaning there is no conclusive evidence that the on-field decision was incorrect.
“The Bunker is always going to stay with the referee. Oh my god,” Smith said of the call.
“This is a really difficult one to rule ... but it has gone 10.”
Despite trying everything they could to turn the scoreboard after that Bunker ruling, the Dolphins were left to accept a 13-12 defeat on enemy turf.
The late fright from their visiting rivals was not the only concern the Knights will have to confront in the coming days, with the club also sweating on scan results for Jacob Saifiti after the star forward limped off with a hamstring injury.
Saifiti winces after suffering a hamstring injury. Nine
Saifiti, who was standing in as captain for the Knights on Sunday afternoon, lasted just 15 minutes before he came out of a tackle clutching at his leg.
The 30-year-old struggled to get back to his feet and waved to Knights trainers.
“Oh no ... he looks like he’s in trouble,” Smith said.
A replay of the incident showed Saifiti immediately wince as he made contact with the ground, releasing his grip on Dolphins winger Tevita Naufahu.
Tyson Frizell quickly ran into the action as Saifiti hobbled to the sidelines, only adding to concerns Johns already had about his former team.
“It looks like it is a bad one with the way he is hobbling ... he is gone,” Johns said.
“This was my worry at the start of the year for the Knights, the depth of the middle forwards. They have been pretty lucky (so far).”
Nine’s Marlee Silva confirmed Saifiti will undergo scans for a hamstring injury.
Johns had immense praise for the season Saifiti had put together, which included a recall to the NSW Blues team for the State of Origin opener.
“I think this has been his best season this year,” he said.
“He has been excellent, really consistent. He had a huge off-season.”
The hosts snatched first points at McDonald Jones Stadium when back-rower Dylan Lucas crossed in the 15th minute.
Lucas almost had a second try in the 35th-minute, but he fumbled the ball when trying to pick up a grubber in the in-goal.
Fletcher Hunt lifted Newcastle to a 12-0 lead heading into half-time.
The visitors were without captain and halfback Isaiya Katoa due to a wrist injury, while the likes of Selwyn Cobbo and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow are away for Origin.
The Dolphins did manage to punch 12 points on the scoreboard late in the second half, with Jamayne Isaako and Kurt Donoghoe crossing the line.
