Bulldogs 26
Knights 12
The best attacking side in the NRL delivered a no-nonsense performance to send the Knights packing during week one of the finals.
In doing so, they gave playmaker Brett Kimmorley further opportunity to heal his fractured cheek bone.
The second-seeded Dogs, who have won all but one of 12 games
at ANZ Stadium, joined Melbourne and Brisbane as first round winners.
The result had plenty of ramifications. If the Knights had come from behind to win, it would have signalled the end of the road for defending premiers Manly.
But the seventh-seeded Knights' finals campaign came crashing down like their walking wounded. They gambled on hooker Isaac DeGois, who was suffering from a knee injury, but the rake departed after a minute. There is nowhere to hide for injured players in finals football. Conversely, Michael Ennis, commonly known as 'the pest', was at his annoying best.
The Dogs featured prominently at the Dally M Awards during the week, with four positional awards and two other gongs, and lacked nothing in confidence. They enjoyed plenty of territory and possession early on but the Knights opened the scoring when centre Junior Sau barged through Ben Hannant.
But there would be no surprise at how the Bulldogs hit back. The left side, which has contributed a whopping 53 tries this season, delivered the breakthrough again. Bryson Goodwin produced the miracle ball to send Josh Morris over.
Newcastle, with many of their team carrying injuries, were hoping to make it to halftime unscathed.
The Bulldogs sensed that and upped the intensity in the 10 minutes before halftime that would prove the game's defining period.
A scintillating run from Rookie of the Year Jamal Idris set up the Dogs' second try scored by Luke Patten and then seconds from the break the fullback added another to break the Knights' spirit. Greg Eastwood, who played a role in the third Dogs try, was the best of the Kiwis on display as they led by 12 at halftime.
If Newcastle could score first after the break, they had a chance. And they did. Halfback Scott Dureau touched down a chip kick that had the Knights in striking distance but their execution was lacking in the further limited opportunities.
Hannant confirmed the Knights' demise with a late bullocking run to the line.
Bulldogs 26 (J Morris 2, L Patten, B Hannant tries, H El Masri 5 goals) Knights 12 (J Sau, S Dureau tries; K Gidley goal, S Dureau goal). Halftime: 18-6
