Eels down Knights in McDonald Jones thriller

FINAL SCORE: Knights 4-10 Eels

The nib Newcastle Knights have been defeated 10-4 by the Eels in a thriller in front of 6,980 fans at McDonald Jones Stadium.

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Sunday 7:00pm: And with that, we're just about done here at McDonald Jones Stadium. We didn't get the W, but we thoroughly enjoyed being home with our incredible members! To re-live all the moments that mattered, or even re-watch the scrimmage game from earlier, simply keep on scrolling. Signing off, Knights Media.

Sunday 6:53pm: Adam O'Brien has spoken in his post-match presser. Here's what he had to say:

Sunday 6:35pm: Big performances from the boys in the middle despite a negative result. Click here for the full stats piece.

Sunday 6:29pm: All the moments that mattered in a thrilling contest at McDonald Jones Stadium. 

Sunday 6:27pm: Andrew McCullough had another massive game at dummy-half, top scoring on NRL Fantasy. Click here for the full list.

Sunday 6:04pm: We didn't get the W, but here's all the best shots from today's game. Click here if you're on the app.

FULL TIME | Full-time at McDonald Jones Stadium.

80' | Tex Hoy spills the ball, and that will just about do us.

79' | The Knights find touch from the optional restart. They'll get one last chance!!

79' | The Knights will get one last chance after Sivo spilled a ball in his own in goal!

78' | Parramatta do extremely well in their set of six, with a smart Dylan Brown kick trapping Hymel Hunt in goal.

77' | NO TRY! Tex Hoy crosses from a Ponga kick, but is called back for being offside!

76' | The Knights are all over the Eels now. Right on the attack again here.

75' | Scrambling Eels defence forces a Knights error. Parramatta are truly out on their feet now.

75' | Tex Hoy puts Tuala away! Knights on the attack!

73' | Parramatta seem content to try and grind the game out, however the Knights are hunting desperately for a crucial try.

72' | Hymel Hunt is caught on the last five metres out from the line, as the heavens open at McDonald Jones Stadium

71' | A terrible fifth tackle option from the Eels sees the Knights gifted another attack chance.

70' | Parramatta easily repel the Knights attack.

69' | SET RESTART! Knights right on the attack now!

68' | PENALTY KNIGHTS. Kalyn Ponga is monstered in a high tackle from Waqa Blake, piggy backing the Knights out of trouble.

67' | Gutherson is waved away! Knights 4-10 Eels.

65' | Try Eels. Clint Gutherson catches the Knights napping by taking a quick tap from a penalty, putting Maika Sivo over in the left hand corner. Knights 4-10 Eels.

65' | Tex Hoy throws a speculator of a pass, which is intercepted by Waqa Blake.

64' | It's a set restart as the Newcastle chant goes up!

63' | NO TRY. While Lane was onside, he failed to pick the ball up cleanly and was called for a knock on. Knights coming out of trouble now.

63' | BUNKER. Sean Lane has crossed, however we're off to the bunker to confirm onside.

62' | Ponga's clearing kick is far too deep, gifting the Eels a seven tackle set.

61' | Some strong Eels carries see them trap Ponga in the corner. Knights under plenty of pressure now.

60' | Gutherson makes no mistake. Knights 4-6 Eels.

59' | The Eels have elected to take the two points.

58' | Ponga makes an error on his 30m line, giving Parra an attacking chance. The Eels receive a penalty just two tackles later.

58' | Tuala does well to easily take a Field bomb.

57' | Meanwhile, Daniel Saifiti has succumbed to a knee injury and has disappeared up the tunnel.

56' | Tautau Moga is caught again for a forward pass. The Knights are lacking polish in these big moments.

55' | Parramatta AGAIN make an error coming out of trouble, giving the Knights another chance.

54' | Kalyn Ponga grubbers early, with the ball rolling just too deep for a chasing Aidan Guerra. Parra with a seven tackle set following a 20m restart.

53' | The Knights will get another scrum feed after Ferguson was forced to play at a Pearce pass. Scrum setting 45m out from the Parramatta line.

52' | A solid Eels set ends with Bradman Best being trapped in the corner. Dylan Brown is still yet to return from a HIA.

51' | The Knights again blow a chance on the left edge, with Best dropping the ball with his winger wide open

50' | Parramatta repel a strong Knights raid, however they spill the ball on the second tackle! Massive set coming up for Newcastle!

48' | A good set from Parra ends poorly, with the Knights receiving a penalty after Jai Arrows kick was easily diffused.

47' | It'll be a 20m restart for the Eels.

47' | BUNKER. We've got no try here, however the referee wants to check whether Moga spilled a Pearce kick in the lead up

46' | A set restart for the Knights puts them back on the attack. Plenty happening in the early exchanges.

46' | Play has been stopped after a nasty head clash between Dylan Brown and Pasami Saulo

45' | The Eels are given a set restart, placing them in good field position

45' | Some enterprising play from the Knights leads to the Eels fielding a kick right in their corner

44' | Fitzgibbon does well to dive on a loose Parramatta ball, giving the Knights another attacking set

43' | Gutherson takes a Pearce bomb, as Parra re-enter the arm wrestle

43' | Kurt Mann makes a big break down the left, placing the Knights straight back on the attack.

42' | Dylan Brown's kick goes extremely close to going out on the full, however Kalyn Ponga is forced to play at it.

41' | The big news is Kalyn Ponga has passed his HIA and has returned to the field, as the Eels bring the ball out of trouble.

40' | We're back underway for the final forty! Knights 4-4 Eels

HALF TIME | In an arm wrestle of a first half, we go into the break level.

39' | Reed Mahoney finds touch with a kick.

38' | Tex Hoy is called for a forward pass

37' | The Knights earn a set restart on the LAST TACKLE! They will get another chance before the break!

36' | Ponga has now come from the field for a HIA.

36' | Ponga hits the post and is waved away! It remains Knights 4-4 Eels.

35' | IT'S A TRY!!! McCullough draws us level!! Knights 4-4 Eels

35' | BUNKER! Andrew McCullough has burrowed his way over, and we could have a try here!

34' | PENALTY KNIGHTS. Waqa Blake is put on report for a high shot on Kalyn Ponga. Big set coming up.

33' | A clever KP grubber is kicked dead by Maika Sivo. Another set coming for Newcastle.

32' | The Knights earn back to back set restarts, with crowd really finding their voice!

31' | Daniel Saifiti scrambles to take another clever Mahoney grubber after it ricochets off the post.

30' | PENALTY EELS. Bradman Best is caught for an escort, and Parra will have a full set on the attack here.

29' | The Eels earn a set restart. Another attacking raid coming.

29' | Pearce's kick falls just to deep for Lachlan Fitzgibbon, who looked certain to score!

28' | ERROR! The Eels hand the ball straight back, giving the Knights a full set in their red zone.

27' | A Knights error hands the ball back to Parramatta. The Knights are failing to build any kind of pressure.

26' | PENALTY. The Knights receive a penalty for a high shot right in front of the sticks. Looks as if they'll keep the pressure on and hunt for a four pointer.

25' | Maika Sivo knocks on a Pearce bomb, giving the Knights a big chance to launch an attack. Scrum setting 15m out from Parramatta's line.

24' | The Eels AGAIN let the Knights right off the hook, spilling the ball with plenty of tackles up their sleeve.

24' | BUTCHERED! Dylan Brown makes a massive line break, but fails to find his support runners. Eels right on the attack now.

22' | The Eels make an error, again on the last. Both coaches will be wanting better 5th tackle options in the second half.

21' | McCullough kicks the ball out on the full after the Knights best set of the game. Eels with it 40m out from their line.

20' | The Eels spill the ball on the last, letting the Knights off the hook.

19' | Parra receive a set restart. They will get a good attacking chance in here.

18' | Gutherson's kick is waved away! Knights 0-4 Eels

17' | Try Eels. Ryan Matterson crosses after Kurt Mann and Bradman Best fail to defuse a Paulo offload. Knights 0-4 Eels

16' | Enari Tuala is rag dolled in his own in goal after a clever Reed Mahoney kick. Eels to receive a line drop out.

14' | Hymel Hunt is again put away down the right edge, however Tau Moga's final pass was called forward. The crowd is very unhappy with the decision.

13' | PENALTY KNIGHTS. Kalyn Ponga is ruled to have been tackled in the air, allowing the team to start their set from their own 30m line.

13' | Reed Mahoney makes a big break to put Parra on the attack!

12' | NO TRY!! The Knights again threaten down the left edge, with Bradman Best knocking the ball on with the line open!

11' | Ponga takes a Jai Field bomb on his 10, and a couple of strong carries has the Knights surge up field. The Knights earn a SET RESTART soon after.

9' | BOMBED! Mitchell Pearce throws a haymaker of a pass to absolutely nobody, and Parramatta survive.

9' | It's NO TRY, with Moga spilling the ball over the line. 

9' | BUNKER! Tau Moga crosses, however he appeared to be held up.

7' | SO CLOSE!!! Enari Tuala is put away down the sideline by Mitchell Pearce, with his ensuing kick dropping just out of the reach of Bradman Best. Knights receive a drop out and go back on the attack.

6' | Maike Sivo is taken in a ripper of a tackle from Kurt Mann. Both sides looking good early.

5' | Parramatta respond with their best set of the game, with Kalyn Ponga fielding Dylan Browns kick inside his own 10.

4' | Hymel Hunt seemed to be away down the edge, however Kalyn Ponga's pass was called forward. Eels to receive a scrum 30m out from their own line.

3' | A good set of D from the Knights, who enter the arm wrestle well.

2' | Clint Gutherson does well to stay in the field of play after Kalyn Ponga put a grubber through. Poor set of attack from the Knights.

1' | INCREDIBLE! The Knights have found touch with the kick off, and the Newcastle chant is up already! Knights on the attack!

0' | We're underway at McDonald Jones Stadium! Knights 0-0 Eels

Sunday 4:00pm: The warm ups are done. The fans are seated. The Andrew Johns stand is bathed in sunlight. LETS DO THIS!!!

Sunday 3:40pm: Some very interested spectators during the scrimmage match earlier today! 

Sunday 3:40pm: It is SO GOOD to be home!

Sunday 3:18pm: In case you missed it, we live streamed the Knights v Eels scrimmage match! Re-live the action below.

Sunday 3:17pm: Meanwhile, the Eels will be 1-17.

Eels: 1. Clint Gutherson, 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Waqa Blake, 5. Blake Ferguson, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Jai Field, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Ryan Matterson, 13. Nathan Brown. Interchange: 14. David Gower, 15. Stefano Utoikamanu, 16. Marata Niukore, 17. Brad Takairangi

Sunday 3:05pm: LATE MAIL | Tautau Moga will start his first game of the season, with Tex Hoy dropping back to the bench.

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 18. Tautau Moga, 3. Enari Tuala, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Hymel Hunt, 6. Kurt Mann, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12. Aiden Guerra, 13. Herman Ese'ese. Interchange: 2. Tex Hoy, 15. Jacob Saifiti, 16. Pasami Saulo, 17. Brodie Jones

Sunday 12:47pm: Absolute day for it! Scrimmage kick off in a tick over an hour.

Sunday 9:10am: We're LIVE STREAMING our scrimmage game against Parramatta right here from 2pm! It's the only way to see players like Chris Randall, Mason Lino and young gun Simi Sasagi play today!

Sunday 8:50am: GAME-DAY! See you this afternoon at McDonald Jones Stadium!

Saturday 4:05pm: SQUAD REDUCTION | Connor Watson has fallen just short of an early return from a syndesmosis injury, with Phoenix Crossland also coming off the extended bench.

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Tex Hoy, 3. Enari Tuala, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Hymel Hunt, 6. Kurt Mann, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12. Aiden Guerra, 13. Herman Ese'ese. Interchange: 14. Starford To'a, 15. Jacob Saifiti, 16. Pasami Saulo, 17. Brodie Jones, 18. Tautau Moga, 19. Josh King.

Friday 10:00am: The boys are coming home and they've been ripping in all week. View the gallery below or click here if you're on the app.

Friday 10:00am: Earlier this week, Adam O'Brien and Brad Arthur named 21-man squads for Sunday's game. They are as follows:

KNIGHTS: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Tex Hoy, 3. Enari Tuala, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Hymel Hunt, 6. Kurt Mann, 7. Mitchell Pearce, 8. David Klemmer, 9. Andrew McCullough, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon, 12. Aiden Guerra, 13. Herman Ese'ese. Interchange: 14. Starford To'a, 15. Jacob Saifiti, 16. Pasami Saulo, 17. Brodie Jones, 18. Tautau Moga, 19. Josh King, 20. Phoenix Crossland, 21. Connor Watson. 

EELS: 1. Clint Gutherson, 2. Maika Sivo, 3. Michael Jennings, 4. Waqa Blake, 5. Blake Ferguson, 6. Dylan Brown, 7. Jai Field, 8. Reagan Campbell-Gillard, 9. Reed Mahoney, 10. Junior Paulo, 11. Shaun Lane, 12. Ryan Matterson, 13. Nathan Brown. Interchange: 14. David Gower, 15. Stefano Utoikamanu, 16. Marata Niukore, 17. Brad Takairangi, 18. Daniel Alvaro, 19. George Jennings, 20. Will Smith, 21. Andrew Davey.

Friday 10:00am: WE'RE HOME!! Welcome to our official Game-Day Blog ahead of Sunday afternoon's clash against the Parramatta Eels at McDonald Jones Stadium in beautiful Newcastle! Keep it glued here from start to finish on Game-Day, with live scores, blow by blow updates, late mail and behind the scenes news, photos and videos.