NRL 2024 LIVE: Bulldogs take the lead after sloppy start from Newcastle

First that penalty from Jackson Hastings, and now an incorrect restart from Kalyn Ponga, and the Bulldogs have their first points of the afternoon.

Samuel Hughes bursts through the Knights defensive line, spins out of the tackle and scores.

A sloppy start from Newcastle considering they had about four defenders on him, but a

The kick from Burton is good, and Canterbury take an early lead.

Bulldogs 6, Knights 0 after six minutes

Bulldogs fans cheer during the clash against Newcastle.Credit: Getty

We have our first penalty of the match, and a little push and shove to go with it.

It’s Jackson Hastings that gives away the penalty for holding Jacob Kiraz a little too long, and all the teammates come running in.

That’s a poor effort from Hastings to start the match and a lazy penalty. The Bulldogs get a free leg up the field.

Bulldogs 0, Knights 0 after two minutes

Kalyn Ponga gets us under way at Accor Stadium with the kick-off. Looks like that sore hip from last week isn’t causing him any issue.

Max King takes the first carry for the Bulldogs.

Bulldogs 0, Knights 0 after 1 minute

We’re just five minutes from kick-off now, and this is a big game for both teams.

The Bulldogs and the Knights have just two wins for the season, but after their win over the Roosters and close call with the Storm, it’s safe to say the Bulldogs are the in-form team heading into this match.

For Newcastle, it will be about getting that edge combination going with Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best. When Ponga gets his hands on the ball, he’s hard to stop.

For the Bulldogs, Viliame Kikau and Stephen Crichton are key. They’ve been leading the team all year, and now is not the time to lose that strike power.

Viliame Kikau is a key component if the Bulldogs want to win.Credit: Getty

Blake Taaffe is back in the Bulldogs team this week after being subject to the NRL’s mandatory concussion stand down, but he’s lost his fullback spot to Connor Tracey.

Connor Tracey starts at fullback this week.Credit: Getty

Connor Tracey
Jacob Kiraz
Bronson Xerri
Stephen Crichton (c)
Josh Addo-Carr
Matt Burton
Drew Hutchison
Chris Patolo (jersey 10)
Reed Mahoney
Max King (jersey 22)
Viliame Kikau
Jaeman Salmon
Josh Curran
Samuel Hughes (jersey 8)
Bailey Hayward (jersey 14)
Kurtis Morrin
Blake Taaffe

A few changes for Adam O’Brien’s team, with Jack Cogger dropped in favour of Tyson Gamble and Jackson Hastings as the halves pairing.

Tyson Gamble is promoted to five-eighth. Credit: NRL Photos

Kalyn Ponga (c)
Greg Marzhew
Bradman Best (jersey 4)
Enari Tuala (jersey 5)
Thomas Jenkins (jersey 22)
Tyson Gamble (jersey 20)
Jackson Hastings
Leo Thompson (jersey 10)
Jayden Brailey
Daniel Saifiti (jersey 15)
Dylan Lucas
Kai Pearce-Paul
Adam Elliott
Jacob Saifiti (jersey 8)
Phoenix Crossland (jersey 14)
Jack Hetherington
Brodie Jones (jersey 19)

Good afternoon footy fans.

Welcome to our live coverage of today’s NRL matches, starting with the Bulldogs taking on the Knights at Accor Stadium.

The last time these two teams met, the Knights thumped Canterbury 66-0. Unlikely we’ll see a score like that today – these two teams are pretty evenly matched heading into this match, and they’re both hunting a win after a loss last week.

Kick-off is at 2pm.