Knights sweat on another injured star as finals push continues
Newcastle survived a late flurry from the Titans and an injury to veteran Dane Gagai, as the home side claimed a 36-26 win heading towards the finals.
Knights fans were up and roaring in the first 25 minutes of the match as their side stamped 16 points on the board with ease, but once Gold Coast’s ill-discipline was fixed, the hosts had a tough contest on their hands at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Dane Gagai celebrates after scoring his second try against the TItans. NRL Imagery
Two quick tries from Beau Fermor and Jayden Campbell narrowed the scoreline at half-time to 16-10, leaving the Knights nervous as they scrambled for answers.
To add to the worrisome period, the Knights lost departing star Gagai to injury after he’d already bagged a double inside 17 minutes.
The 35-year-old was seen grabbing at his hamstring a handful of times in the first half and despite scoring a try, Gagai didn’t return for the second half.
Newcastle will be sweating on the former State of Origin star’s fitness, especially with Bradman Best sidelined for the past two weeks due to injury.
But coach Justin Holbrook is hopeful the injury is “nothing too major”.
“He didn’t feel great early on and then just sort of played on within himself, but it was too hard a game to do that,” Holbrook said.
“Obviously, there is an issue, but hopefully it isn’t too major.”
Gagai will leave the club at season’s end, linking up with the Broncos for 2027.
Greg Marzhew had two tries of his own either side of half-time, while the Fletchers – Sharpe and Hunt - added to the Titans’ issues.
Gold Coast had two players on report for high tackles as their discipline haunted them against a finals-bound and in-form Knights outfit.
“(These penalties) are killing them,” Greg Alexander said on Fox League.
While the struggling Titans had a few bright spots, the result was never in doubt, much to the disappointment of coach Josh Hannay.
“The start, unacceptable. Discipline - I’d love to get gifted a start like the one we gifted them today,” he said.
“The penalties, the piggybacks, the six agains. It’s like 20 minutes of defending your line to start the game... that’s on us, that’s no one else’s fault.
“That was unacceptable ... but I liked the grit though when we got back into it. Looked more like us there. We’ve had a flat couple of weeks.”
Holbrook, on the other hand, was not too worried about his team’s position on the ladder, despite their latest win confirming the club will play September football.
“It was another good win at home,” Holbrook said post-match.
“It is pleasing [to be in the finals]. We will worry about that in a few weeks, to be honest. We will just enjoy the win today and get on with it.”
