Newcastle Too Good as South Sydney Suffer Disappointing Defeat at Magic Round

Newcastle Too Good as South Sydney Suffer Disappointing Defeat at Magic Round

The Rabbitohs have fallen short at Magic Round in Brisbane, going down 30-4 against a Newcastle side that ultimately had too much strike for the Red and Green to handle.

It was a fast start for Newcastle, who bagged three early tries to set themselves a great platform to build off for the rest of the game.

Their first try came in the fourth minute when Fletcher Sharpe capitalised on a Kalyn Ponga kick into the in goal.

Sharpe then scored his second of the match thanks to a solo effort from close range, putting the Knights ahead 12-0 after just ten minutes.

Newcastle’s third try came in the 12th minute through Jack Cogger, who burrowed his way through the defence in similar fashion to Sharpe just minutes before.

South Sydney managed to stem the flow of points for the remainder of the half. However, they were unable to trouble the scorers in the opening stanza, and found themselves down 18-0 at the break.

The Knights were quick to advance their cause after halftime, with Bradman Best scoring in the 47th minute after combining with Ponga to collectively advance the ball over 70m on a play that began as a kick return.

Things would then go from bad to worse for the Rabbitohs, who lost fullback Jye Gray to a leg injury from heavy cork in the 58th minute. The ensuing reshuffle saw Fletcher Myers come off the bench onto the wing, with Bayleigh Bentley-Hape shifting to fullback to cover Gray.

The Knights would put the deficit out to 30 points in the 63rd minute when Fletcher Sharpe completed his hat trick after capitalising on a offload from Best.

The Rabbitohs were finally able to break their duck through Isaiah Tass in the 66th minute.

Campbell Graham leapt high to bat back a kick from Jayden Sullivan, with Keaon Koloamatangi able to pick up the scraps and release Tass into the corner to score.

This would be the final scoring play of the game in what was ultimately a disappointing afternoon for South Sydney.

Match Snapshot

• The Knights opened the scoring through Fletcher Sharpe in the fourth minute.
• Sharpe crossed for his second try of the game in the eighth minute.
• Newcastle scored their third try through Jack Cogger in the 12th minute.
• South Sydney managed to keep their opposition out for the remainder of the half to trail 18-0 at the break.
• The Knights extended their lead in the 47th minute through Bradman Best.
• Fletcher Sharpe completed his hat trick in the 61st minute.
• South Sydney got themselves on the scoresheet in the 66th minute thanks to Isaiah Tass in what was the final scoring play of the game.

What’s Next?

The Rabbitohs will be back home at Accor Stadium next week, and will take on the Brisbane Broncos in a Friday night blockbuster, kick off at 8pm (AEST).