NRL.com Wrap | Knights roll Bulldogs in Saturday special

Half-time: The Storm go into the break with a close 16-10 lead, but have been made to work hard by a much more committed looking Cowboys outfit who have lifted to face the challenge of last year's grand finallists. Storm have had the bulk of the ball with 54 percent of the possession completing at 17/20 compared to 13/16 for the Cowboys. Forward leader Jason Taumalolo has the most metres for a forward at the break with 74, while Storm fullback Faalogo has the most overall with 84. 

37th min: An almost inevitable try to a quick-stepping Faalogo after the Storm had a mountain of possession on the Cowboys line. Home fans voiced their displeasure at Burns being penalised for a tackle in the air that led to more possession for the visitors. Grant nails another kick and Melbourne are in front 16-10. 

23rd min: Warbrick has a double and with Grant's conversion, the Storm have a 12-10 lead. The Cowboys had been defending gamely on their line, but a penalty and a ruck infringement on the fifth tackle proved too much, allowing the Storm to compress their defensive line before passing out side to the right. 

12th min: Another uncharacteristic error from Melbourne, with Cameron Munster misjudging where the deadball line was, letting it bounce in, then out. That's compounded with another error from the line drop out. With the gifted possession, the Cowboys strike, with Braidon Burns going over on the right side. The radar is off for Clifford's kick and the score remains 10-6. 

9th min: The Storm don't take long to respond in style, with winger Will Warbrick taking an impressive catch of his own to bring down a Jahrome Hughes kick. He did have more work to do however and pushed aside a number of Cowboys defenders to get the ball over in the corner. Harry Grant - the first-choice goal kicker with Nick Meaney out - nails the conversion. Scores level 6-6. 

5th min: Cowboys have started the game with plenty of intent and are rewarded with the first points of the match. A pin-point kick from Scott Drinkwater and impressive catch from Jake Clifford at the line in front of the goal post results in a try. Clifford converts his try from in front and it's 6-0 for the home side early. 

Kick off - An error from the kick off from Melbourne Storm, with Sualauvi Faalogo kicking the ball out on the full. 

Late Mail

Cowboys: One late change on game day, with Matt Lodge coming into the interchange bench with Kaiden Lahrs omitted. Earlier, Lahrs had replaced Harrison Edwards on the six-man bench. Prop Tom Mikaele is pushing to make his first appearance since injuring his knee in Las Vegas and has also been listed on the six-man bench. Zac Laybutt is also set for his first outing of the year and has been named in the centres in place of the suspended Tom Chester. The Cowboys have won three of their last four games against the Storm in Townsville.

Storm: No late changes on game day. Centre Nick Meaney has been ruled out on Friday due to back soreness, with Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown taking his place on the wing. Manaia Waitere is the new face on the six-man bench as a result. Harry Grant will most likely assume the goalkicking duties. Trent Loiero is set to start at lock after making his return from suspension via the interchange last weekend. The change will see Tui Kamikamica revert to the interchange. Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes has won seven from eight against the Cowboys. 

Numbers Game

• The Cowboys have won three of their last four games against the Storm in Townsville.
• Storm halfback Jahrome Hughes has won seven from eight against the Cowboys.
• Cowboys fullback Scott Drinkwater has scored five tries in his last six games at QCB Stadium.
• Storm fullback Sua Faalogo has scored nine tries in his last six NRL games.
• Cowboys winger Murray Taulagi has scored five tries in five games against the Storm.

 

Panthers v Eels at CommBank Stadium

Eels

Panthers 

Full-time: The Panthers continue their charge this season and are the only undefeated team after four rounds. In the battle of the west against the Eels, they set up their 48-20 victory with a dominant first half. 

78th min: Panthers can't be kept out of any contest for too long and they are back on the board with Jenkins benefiting from some nice lead up play for his second. He and McLean have established a fruitful partnership this season, with the Kiwi's flick out to his winger helping set him up. Cleary boots his eighth successful conversion and it's 48-20. 

74th min: More reward for effort for the Eels with Sean Russell scoring another on the far right. The Eels were successful with a captain's challenge, seeing Casey McLean penalised for holding back when the Eels were surging. Moses converts the difficult kick and it's narrowed to 42-20. 

70th min: They are well behind on the scoreboard, but the effort is definitely there from the Eels who add to their tally with a nice try to Dylan Walker. The Eels forced a line dropout to earn them the opportunity to score, with some nice interplay of short passing at the line getting them the reward. Mitchell Moses converts and it's 42-14. 

Injury update - Matt Doorey is assisted from the field after clutching at his left knee following an attempt to make a tackle. 

66th min: Josh Addo-Carr takes an intercept and runs away to put the ball down ... but he's ruled offside and give away a penalty. 

57th min: Panthers are roaring again and Jenkins is over for a well-worked try. Penrith go up for a kick on the right side of the field and send players and the ball out to the left, with Jenkins then stepping back inside to run in and score. Cleary converts once more and it's out to 42-8. 

56th min: More points for the Panthers with Paul Alamoti pouncing on a Cleary kick into the in-goal. Their opportunity came after an important 40/20 kick from Cleary set them up, turning momentum back Penrith's way after the Eels were enjoying a positive patch of play. Cleary's kick is successful and it's 36-8 to the Panthers. 

47th min: A few errors and an unsuccessful captain's challenge from the Panthers puts the Eels in good position and they are able to capitalise on the Panthers having one in the bin, with Bailey Simonsson going over to score on the far right. The try can't be converted, with Parramatta trailing 30-8.  

44th min: Injury update - Unfortunately for the Eels, Iongi is off the field following that tackle, with Joash Papalii coming on to the field in his place. 

43rd min: Mitch Kenny is put on report and sent to the sin bin for a hip drop tackle on Isaiah Iongi. 

42nd min: Early drama in the second half for the Eels with Kelma Tuilagi looking in discomfort with a left hip issues, but he's seen to and will play on. 

Half-time: The Panthers go on a scoring blitz in the first half, running in for five tries to one to post a big 30-4 halftime lead at home. The stats tell a lot of the story, with the Panthers making the most of their 54% to 46% possession and their 17/21 completion rate compared to 13/19. 

28th min: Aaaaaaannnd there's another try. Out to the left edge with Casey McLean chasing up on a Thomas Jenkins break. The Panthers winger shows some silky (or is the 'Milky'?) passing back on the inside to the Kiwi representative who streaks away. Cleary kicks another and the lead has blown out to 30-4 in the blink of an eye. 

26th min: Errors against any team will be costly and prove especially so against the Panthers. The Eels - who were in a good rhythm - drop the ball, gifting the Panthers possession. Cleary kicks to the in-goal, the ball bounces off the goal post pad and Lindsay Smith runs through to put downward pressure on the ball to score yet another Penrith try. Cleary converts and it's a big 24-4 lead.

22nd min: The Eels are on the board with perennial try-scorer Josh Addo-Carr getting the ball rolling for his side. Denied only moments early by the referee and the Bunker, he wasn't to be denied the second time around, speeding his was in the left corner. Mitchell Moses can't convert and it's 18-4 for the Panthers.

16th min: Finally some relief for the Eels with Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards making an error, handing over possession. 

13th min: After the forwards were having all the try-scoring fun to start the game, half Blaize Talagi gets in on the act. Leaping like a back over the top of Eels fullback Isaiah Iongi, the five-eighth rips the ball from his grasp and runs away to the try line. Cleary ones again converts for an 18-0 lead as the Panthers outpace the clock. 

11th min: And another. This time it's forward Isaiah Papali'i who goes over as the Panthers go back-to-back. Another conversion for Cleary for a 12-0 lead.

6th min: Panthers co-captain Isaah Yeo gets his side on the board with a try straight under the posts. Penrith have been in relentless form to start this season and it looks to be a continuing trend today. They march up the field and attack the Eels line, with the skipper crashing over to set and early tone. Nathan Cleary converts and it's 6-0. 

Kick-off: Panthers kick off to give the Eels first use of the ball. 

Late Mail

Panthers: Jack Cogger has been ruled out from the Panthers' 19-man squad, with Jack Cole coming on to the interchange for the Battle of the West. No changes to the starting side. Ivan Cleary's men are chasing a fourth-straight win to start the year. 

Eels: The Eels retained the same 19-man squad named on Tuesday, with Luca Moretti confirmed for his first game of the season via the interchange, while Brian Kelly takes his place for the injured Jordan Samrani. Jack De Belin was omitted from the extended squad. Parramatta have won their last four games at CommBank Stadium but have lost their last four games against the Panthers.

Numbers Game

• The Panthers have won their last four games against the Eels.
• The Eels have won their last four games at CommBank Stadium.
• The Panthers are aiming for a 4-0 start for the third time since 2021.
• Eels winger Josh Addo-Carr has scored nine tries in his last five games at CommBank Stadium.
• Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored 10 tries in his last 10 games against the Eels.

 

Bulldogs v Knights at Accor Stadium

Knights 

Bulldogs

Full-time: The Knights have held off a charging Bulldogs side to return to the winner's circle with a 24-16 win. The home side fought hard to close the gap to four points midway through the second half after the Knights held a 16-0 lead at half-time.

80th minute: The Bulldogs launch waves of attack on the Knights line, but the Novocastrians hold them out to seal victory.

74th minute: Jacob Kiraz is awarded a try after a fingertip grounding following a Stephen Crichton pass that bounces off the head of Matt Burton. Crichton misses the kick. Knights 24-16.

72nd minute: Dominic Young notches a hat-trick after intercepting a Connor Tracey cutout pass and running 75 metres to score under the posts. Sandon Smith fails to convert. Knights 24-12.

67th minute: The Bulldogs find themselves in good field position after a penalty for a crusher tackle, but a solid shot from Bradman Best forces the ball loose from Conno Tracey's hands.

62nd minute: The Knights turn mountains of defence into attack, with Dominic Young sprinting away for another long-range try after a short-side play started by Sandon Smith out of dummy half. It came off the back of a penalty for a crusher tackle to get them off their own line. Smith misses the conversion attempt. Knights 20-12.

55th minute: Matt Burton gets his second try of the game, throwing the dummy and using his physicality to crash over after earning a set restart at their own end. Stephen Crichton converts. Knights 16-12.

50th minute: The Bulldogs finally get points on the board after Jacob Kiraz gets a miracle offload away, which bounces into the hands of Matt Burton to waltz over. Stephen Crichton converts. Knights 16-6.

45th minute: The Bulldogs start the game firmly on attack but can't find their first points in the face of the stout Knights defence. Phoenix Crossland returned to the field after passing his HIA.

Half-time: The Knights shut out the Bulldogs in the first to take a 16-0 lead into sheds, despite being reduced to 12 men after an early Dylan Lucas sin bin. The visitors were dogged in defence, holding up the Bulldogs over the try line twice and keeping them out on last tackle on multiple occasions. While the home side struggled to make their opportunities count, the Knights built pressure smartly before Harrison Graham entered the game with fresh legs to play havoc with the Bulldogs defence, sparking two late tries.

40th minute: Dylan Lucas extends the lead for the Knights on the stroke of half-time, dragging Lachlan Galvin - who made the error to gift the Knights field position - over the try line after some superb footwork from Fletcher Sharpe to make the space for his backrower. Sandon Smith converts. Knights 16-0.

37th minute: Phoenix Crossland leaves the field for HIA after being caught in a collision in an aerial contest between Jacob Preston and Fletcher Hunt.

35th minute: Harrison Graham makes his mark off the interchange, putting Tyson Frizell over under the posts just moments after the Knights rake made a 50m line break from dummy half. Sandon Smith converts. Knights 10-0.

31st minute: The Bulldogs and Knights go set-for-set forcing each other to work it off their try lines.

25th minute: Pasami Saulo hits back, crunching Josh Curran with a strong tackle with the Bulldogs in sight of the line. After a short delay, Curran is back to his feet, but leaves the field soon after with a rib injury.

23rd minute: The Bulldogs withstand an extended period defending their own line, with Pasami Saulo spilling the ball for the Knights.

19th minute: The Knights earn a glut of possession on attack, with Sandon Smith forcing two line drop-outs to keep the pressure on. Dylan Lucas returns to the field.

13th minute: The desperate Knights defence does it again, holding up Marcelo Montoya over the try line after yet another Bulldogs attacking raid.

10th minute: Viliame Kikau comes within centimetres of scoring on last tackle but the Knights defence is strong enough to hold him out. 

9th minute: Dylan Lucas is sent to the sin bin after obstructing Connor Tracey as the Bulldogs fullback attempted to take a 20m restart.

8th minute: Try time! The Knights throw the ball wide in their own half and Dominic Young races away down the sideline, outrunning Connor Tracey to score the first four-pointer of the game. Sandon Smith hits the upright with the conversion attempt. Knights 4-0.

6th minute: Max King comes close to scoring a play after Fletcher Hunt spilled a trademark Matt Burton spiral bomb,but loses possession over the try line. 

3rd minute: Lachlan Galvin forces a drop-out on the back of a Connor Tracey line break on a kick return, but the Knights recover the restart.

Kick-off: We're underway at Accor Stadium, with the Bulldogs looking for their fourth straight victory against the visiting Knights.

Late Mail

Bulldogs: A late change for Cameron Ciraldo with Lipoi Hopoi starting at prop and Sitili Tupouniua reverting to the bench. Sam Hughes will miss the match after picking up a suspension playing NSW Cup last weekend. Jake Turpin (concussion) and Harry Hayes (delayed concussion symptoms) have also been ruled out as the Bulldogs look to continue their unbeaten start to the year. Logan Spinks and Bronson Xerri were omitted from the squad 24 hours before kick-off. Captain Stephen Crichton has won seven from seven against the Knights.

Knights: Pasami Saulo moves into the starting side 90 minutes before kick-off with Tyson Frizell going to the bench. Justin Holbrook confirmed on Friday that five-eighth Fletcher Sharpe would make his comeback from a knee injury suffered in Las Vegas. Trey Mooney misses the game through suspension. Bench forward Cody Hopwood plays his second NRL game while Wilson de Courcey is in the frame for an NRL debut as part of the six-man bench.

Numbers Game

• The Bulldogs have won their last three games against the Knights.
• Knights halfback Sandon Smith will make his 50th NRL appearance.
• Bulldogs captain Stephen Crichton has won seven from seven against the Knights.
• Knights centre Bradman Best has scored seven tries in his last six games against the Bulldogs.
• Bulldogs second-rower Jacob Preston has scored six tries in his last six games.