Newcastle says it’s no fluke they are top of the NRL table after their hitmen successfully targeted Peter Wallace in their 26-14 win over Penrith at Hunter Stadium on Saturday.
The Knights’ enforcers, led by Beau Scott tickled the Panthers playmaker’s ribs every chance they could as they remained the only unbeaten team in the competition.
Appropriately, on Mining Family Day, with many of the 20,114-strong crowd wearing hi-vis workwear, the Knights rolled up their sleeves, successfully cutting down Wallace’s thinking time and it showed on the scoreboard.
On five occasions Scott, Jeremy Smith and Joey Leulia hit Wallace at a time when he was vulnerable and twice the Panthers No.7 got up hobbling after being hit.
Two weeks ago Scott received criticism for his heavy treatment of North Queensland’s Johnathan Thurston, however his manhandling of Wallace was within the rules, hitting him as he passed the ball or just after.
In the end the Panthers paid the price for their slow start while Newcastle’s confidence continues to grow.
They have now won six games in a row and it is the fourth time they have started a season 4-0. On the previous three occasions they achieved the feat – 1995, 1998 and 2002 – they qualified for the finals.
“I think after three games people were questioning whether we’re a fair dinkum team and we are, we believe we are,” Newcastle skipper Kurt Gidley said.
“We’ve worked hard in the off-season … We’ve won these games on defence and working hard and covering each others’ bums on our goal-line. That’s something to be proud of.”
Already missing five-eighth Jamie Soward (back), the Panthers were forced to revert to their third-choice No.6 after Isaac John (quad) was ruled out on game day and his spot taken by Bryce Cartwright, regularly a backrower.
Chris Houston – who was a late call up into the Knights’ starting side after Robbie Rochow was ruled out in the warm up with back spasms – opened the scoring for the Knights before the floodgates opened temporarily.
Adam Clydesdale and Tyrone Roberts then crossed three minutes apart to give the home side an 18-point buffer.
After looking half asleep in the opening quarter, the Panthers kicked into gear and crossed through Josh Mansour in the 24th minute.
Penrith fullback and NSW Origin hopeful Matt Moylan had an unhappy afternoon, dropping two Newcastle kicks on his own goal-line, the second of which led to Akuila Uate’s try which sealed the victory.
Asked about his side’s opening 20 minutes, Penrith coach Ivan Cleary said he would rather forget about it.
“The problem with starting like that is you start to get into a little bit of catch-up,” he said.
“We certainly created enough chances but if you’re in that catch-up mindset, you’re not as clinical.
“I thought we were a chance up to three minutes to go but it just wasn’t to be.”
