NRL.com Wrap: Knights crush Sea Eagles

Full-time: It was ugly, but the Dolphins have their first win of the season and a first win for a Queensland team with an 18-14 result against the Titans. The Gold Coast were the better side in the first half, but star Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow awoke in the second to help inspire his side to the unlikely victory after they went to the sheds trailing 8-0 with a poor completion and possession rate.

73 min: And there's another. The Hammer has awakened in the second half and this time he is the one with the try - leaping over the top of Kini to bring down an Isaiya Katoa kick and running in under the sticks to score. Isaako converts and the lead changes hands, with the Dolphins up 18-14. 

68 min: That's the Dolphins we were expecting. Another try - this time on their right side all started by a long-range break from the Hammer down the left. Nikorima starts the shift of the ball out wide and it's Jake Averillo who scores. Isaako's conversion is successful - just - and it's a close game with the Titans leading 14-12. 

53 min: A try to the Dolphins finally. It comes after a line-drop gained from a Kodi Nikorima. The Titans go for a short drop-out, Phil Sami backs it back, but straight into the arms of Finefeuiaki who runs over his try line to score. Isaako converts and it's 14-6 to the Titans. 

52 min: Luke Sommerton becomes Titan #206 with him being interchanged into the game.

50 min: Special try-saver from Keano Kini, coming across from cover to deny Jamayne Isaako who was aiming to go over on the right side, but is pushed out over the sideline. 

45 min: A first NRL try for Cooper Bai after a huge gap opened on on the line with Dolphins still on the ground from the previous tackle. Again, the Dolphins have invited the Titans to score, with a set restart and a penalty in the lead-up. Ilias converts and it's a 14-0 lead to the Gold Coast.

Injury update: Flegler has had some pain relief for his rib issue and the Dolphins are hopeful of getting him back into the game. 

Half-time: A odd half full of errors and both coaches will be deeply disappointed with what has unfolded on the field. However, Titans coach Josh Hannay will be the happier, with an 8-0 lead. The Dolphins made nine errors in the half to five to the Titans, with a poor 60 percent completion rate of 14/23. The Titans had a relatively good 81 percent with 18/22. At half-time, Hannay spoke on effort in first 40 and was looking for that continue this next half. 

36 min: Ray Stone is put on report on his return for the Dolphins. 

34 min: Finally - the first try of the match - and unsurprisingly - it's come as a direct result of an error. Dolphins were on the attack, but Connelly Lemuelu could not handle the pass, with Chris Randall picking up the lose ball, passing it to Kurtis Morrin who makes a break before passing out to Jojo Fifita to score. Ilias converts and it's 8-0 to the Titans. 

Injury update: Tom Flegler has left the field with a reported rib issue.

25 min: In a game that hasn't seen the exciting attack fans would have come to expect, there has not been much to report. However, both teams have had successful captain's challenges - but both with be ruing their error count and poor discipline. 

13 min: The Titans are denied a try to Fa'asuamaleaui with a forward pass ruled from Moe Fotuaika. This comes after an attacking opportunity down the left edge was also denied for the Dolphins - also for a forward pass - with Herbie Farnworth's pass out to Selwyn Cobbo pinged. Both teams struggling to find their rhythm. 

8 min: First points to the Titans with a penalty goal slotted by Lachlan Ilias. The visitors got the penalty following a ball-and-all tackle that needed to be made by Morgan Knowles on Tino Fa'asuamaleaui as he was charging to the line, but went a little bit too high. Titans lead 2-0.

Kick-off: The Titans kick the ball off to the Dolphins - and on tackle two it's a turnover with Kulikefu Finefeuiaki unable to handle a Max Plath pass in their own 10 metre zone. 

Late Mail

Dolphins: One late change on game day, with Max Plath, who has returned from an ACL tear, elevated to the starting hooker role, moving Brad Schneider to the bench. Ray Stone is set for his first game of the season and has been listed on the bench. The Dolphins have won five of their six games against Gold Coast and they're looking to keep that going on Sunday night. 

Titans: No late changes on game day. Sam Verrills will take his place in the team despite suffering a sternum injury in last Saturday's loss to the Sharks. Earlier, the Titans also made a late change, with Jensen Taumoepeau added the the six-man bench and in the mix for an NRL debut. Zane Harrison dropped out of the squad and travelled to Cairns to play Queensland Cup. 

Numbers Game

• The Dolphins have won five of their six games against the Titans.
• Titans winger Phillip Sami has scored four tries in his last four games against the Dolphins.
• Dolphins winger Selwyn Cobbo requires one try for 50 NRL tries.
• The Titans have conceded 118 points in their last three games at Suncorp Stadium.
• Dolphins fullback Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has scored 17 tries in his last 11 games at Suncorp Stadium.

 

Sea Eagles v Knights at 4 Pines Park

Sea Eagles 

Knights

Run and gun: Manly five-eighth Luke Brooks showcased his speed and footwork with 12 runs for 148 metres as he asked plenty of questions of the Knights defence. Brooks broke five tackles and a line break but in the end it was errors that cruelled Manly's chances.

Trey's day: Knights big man Trey Mooney was all power and passion in his 50 minutes of game time. Mooney had 15 runs for 108 metres and made 26 tackles as the Knights pack laid a great platform for the win. 

Full-time: The Knights' tally of 36 points was their biggest score at Brookvale since a 50-16 win in Round 9, 1998. Justin Holbrook's men are now 2-0 and showed great courage to win after Kalyn Ponga (hamstring) and Dylan Brown (knee).

77 min: Kobe Hetherington is sent to the sin bin after back-to-back infringements by Manly. 

74 min: Reuben Garrick takes an intercept and races 60 metres before being dragged down. He gets up quickly to play the ball but not one of his teammates gets to dummy half and the Knights come around and pick up the ball in a moment that sums up Manly's day.

72 min: Trey Mooney decides to chip over the top and the ball goes dead to give Manly seven tackles but time is against the home side.

66 min: Lehi Hopoate comes up with an error inside the red zone and an offside penalty follows against Manly to hand Newcastle a shot at two vital points. Sandon Smith bangs over the goal. Knights 36-16.

61 min: Sandon Smith has Lehi Hopoate scrambling to cover up a grubber. Manly go short dropout. The Knights reload.

59 min: A terrible set by the Sea Eagles ends with Tom Trbojevic putting in a cross-field kick that is far too heavy and allows Newcastle to bring the ball away with a seven-tackle set.

56 min: Manly swing to the right and send the ball to Haumole Olakau'atu but the big back-rower puts it down and the Knights hang on.

52 min: Sandon Smith is too heavy with a grubber and Manly come away with a seven-tackle set.

47 min: A mistake by Luke Brooks from the kick-off hands the Knights a golden shot at points and the new-look spine goes to work with Sandon Smith and Fletcher Hunt combining before Dom Young powers over the top of Tom Trbojevic and scores wide out. Knights 34-16.

44 min: Manly start the long haul back when Haumole Olakau'atu produces a trademark try from 15 metres out. Jamal Fogarty converts. Knights 30-16.

41 min: Terrible news for the Knights with Dylan Brown also ruled out for the rest of the game with a MCL injury.

Turbo charged: Manly's fullback Tom Trbojevic was also damaging in the opening 40 with 109 run metres, three tackle breaks and a try. 

Half-time: The Knights have 40 minutes to try and protect their lead without gun No.1 Kalyn Ponga, who injured his hamstring. Ponga was sensational in his 28 minutes on the field with a try, five tackle breaks and 109 run metres.

39 min: More joy for the Knights as Tom Trbojevic spills a bomb and Tyson Frizell is on hand to pick up the scraps and score. Sandon Smith converts. Knights 30-10.

36 min: A piece of magic from Dylan Brown as he slices his way through the defence with a right-foot step before producing a flick pass for Fletcher Hunt to scoot away and score. Sandon Smith converts. Knights 24-10.

33 min: Tolu Koula gets a grubber into the in-goal and Fletcher Hunt knocks the ball dead. The short dropout evades everyone and goes into touch so the Knights get the ball back.

29 min: A massive blow for the Knights with Kalyn Ponga hobbling off clutching his hamstring. That's day over for the champion No.1.

26 min: The Knights hit back with an 80-metre raid started by Sandon Smith putting Bradman Best into a hole and the centre picking up Kalyn Ponga who sprints 30 metres to score but feels for his hamstring after touching down. Smith takes over the kicking and adds the extras. Knights 18-10.

21 min: Tom Trbojevic takes the ball from a set scrum 10 metres out and picks out Phoenix Crossland in the line. Turbo is just too big and too strong and powers in for his 113th career try. Jamal Fogarty pulls the conversion left. Knights 12-10.

19 min: Luke Brooks hoists the ball high and Tolu Koula zeroes in on Kalyn Ponga and drills him in the ribs just as the Knights No.1 caught the ball. The ball spills free and Manly set up camp in the red zone.

15 min: A show-and-go from Jamal Fogarty opens up the Knights defence and he races 25 metres to score Manly's first. Fogarty converts his own try. Knights 12-6.

14 min: Tolu Koula and Ben Trbojevic muscle up in defence to force an error from Jermaine McEwen and Manly are on the attack.

12 min: More slick backline work from the Knights as Kalyn Ponga goes to first receiver and sends it on to Dylan Brown who sends a superb overhead pass to Dom Young who powers into the right-hand corner. Ponga nails the conversion again. Knights 12-0.

10 min: Some razzle dazzle from Kalyn Ponga has Manly on high alert before the play eventually breaks down on the last tackle when Dom Young puts it down.

7 min: Jamal Fogarty grubbers towards the corner and Jason Saab reaches out to try and tap it back but the ball travels forward before landing in the in-goal for Reuben Garrick to dive on.

2 min: The ideal start for the Knights after Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best combine to put Greg Marzhew over. Ponga had kicked off the match but Luke Brooks let the ball bounce and it went dead, forcing Manly to drop the ball out and the Knights struck in their first set. Ponga converts from wide out. Knights 6-0.

Late Mail

Sea Eagles: Youngster Joey Walsh drops out of the squad 90 minutes before kick-off. Former Bronco Kobe Hetherington comes into the starting side in place of Siosiua Taukeiaho (calf). Hetherington had a disrupted pre-season but made his club debut off the bench in the Round 1 loss to Canberra. Paul Bryan, Brandon Wakeham and Josh Feledy are all part of the six-man bench and in line to play their first NRL match for Manly.

Knights: Sandon Smith will wear the No.6 jersey after Fletcher Sharpe suffered a knee injury in Las Vegas. Tyson Frizell was named to start at lock but has again swapped with Mat Croker on game day. Tyson Gamble and James Schiller came out of the squad in the 24-hour update while Cody Hopwood dropped out on game day.

Numbers Game

• The Sea Eagles have won only one of their past four games against Newcastle.
• The Knights have won only four of 23 games at 4 Pines Park.
• Sea Eagles centre Tolu Koula has scored a try in 10 consecutive games at 4 Pines Park.
• Knights winger Greg Marzhew has scored six tries in seven games against the Sea Eagles.
• Sea Eagles second-rower Haumole Olakau’atu has scored five tries in his last six games against the Knights.