The Newcastle Knights secured a convincing 26-12 victory over the Dolphins at McDonald Jones Stadium on March 13, 2025, marking their second straight win of the season. The Knights, led by coach Adam O’Brien, demonstrated their strong collective performance and tactical prowess, with key contributions from star players.
From the very start, it was clear the Knights were determined to assert their dominance. They raced to a 20-0 lead within the first half-hour, showcasing excellent teamwork and skill. Winger James Schiller made headlines by scoring the first two tries, capitalizing on slick ball movement and strategic plays orchestrated by his teammates.
Kalyn Ponga, often dubbed the Knights’ marquee player, was instrumental throughout the match. His involvement was pivotal, as he notched up three try assists and made four tackle breaks just within the opening half alone. "It's awesome to be back home, best fans in the world," said Fletcher Sharpe, the Knights’ rising star, reflecting on the team's growing coherence and confidence.
Despite their struggles, the Dolphins attempted to regain their footing. They finally got on the scoreboard thanks to Mark Nicholls, who snuck through for the team’s first try after Newcastle’s early surge. This brief moment of hope ended with the score at 20-6 by halftime, which would prove to be too significant of a gap for the visitors to overcome.
After the break, Newcastle continued to build on their momentum, as Dylan Lucas scored shortly after the resumption, pushing the score to 26-6. Meanwhile, tension rose on the field when Knights back-rower Kai Pearce-Paul was penalized for a shoulder charge against Daniel Saifiti, earning himself ten minutes in the sin-bin. Referee Gerard Sutton was firm, stating, "You can't do this," as he expressed discontent with the tackle, which left the Knights with reduced numbers on the field.
The Dolphins looked to capitalize on their advantage, and they made noteworthy efforts with flashy plays, particularly highlighting the talent of Isaiya Katoa. He showcased exemplary skill during his try at the 67th minute, dashing through Newcastle’s defense, yet it was too little, too late, as the Dolphins struggled to maintain any rhythm or consistent thrust against the solid Knights.
Post-game analysis was dominated by discussions on the players’ individual performances. Andrew Johns remarked on Katoa's performance, claiming, "He has been the shining light," emphasizing how his efforts were one of the few bright spots for the Dolphins during the match. Criticism also fell on the Dolphins' handling errors and questionable decisions, particularly with several penalties incurred throughout the game. Cameron Smith commented on the training habits leading to these costly mistakes, noting frustrations evident from the commentary box.
O’Brien has his eyes set on bigger goals as well, especially as he looks forward to the off-season addition of Dylan Brown, who has signed a massive ten-year contract. Regardless, the Knights' current roster has shown enough spark and resolve to suggest they can keep their fan base excited well before Brown joins the ranks. O’Brien remarked on the team's performance, "We are all about the here and now," underlining the urgency to build on this winning momentum before planning for future prospects.
This win puts the Knights firmly on track with their best start to the season since 2022, something for which the fans have been yearning. On the other hand, the Dolphins' back-to-back losses under new coach Kristian Woolf raise important questions about their strategies moving forward as they deal with the rigorous demands of the league.
While the Knights relish the victory, the Dolphins will be heading home with plenty to reflect on as they continue to adapt and strategize after their challenging opening weeks. After escaping the impacts of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, the Dolphins will look to regroup and turn their season around as they prepare for their next encounter, with hopes of reversing their fortunes.