2006 Round 18 vs Parramatta Eels:
Andrew Johns brought up his record as all-time premiership high scorer, but it was Parramatta who went on a pointscoring rampage against the Knights in Round 18.
It was supposed to be a night to remember for Joey, as he overtook Jason Taylor as the highest scorer in 98 years of Australian rugby league, but no-one read the script to Parramatta, as they ran riot over a limp Newcastle outfit.
And they got started early - in the fourth minute, to be precise. Tim Smith started the pointscoring fest single-handedly, when he grubbered - into Reegan Tanner, and then regathered the ricochet to score beside the posts. Mark Riddell converted to give Parramatta a 6-0 lead.
Ten minutes later, and Parramatta were in again. It was Tim Smith orchestrating proceedings again - this time a long floating cut-out pass to Eric Grothe who just had to fall over the line.
Newcastle did appear to be warming to their task, and it looked liked they would go to the break with a four point deficit when Adam Woolnough crossed in the 33rd minute. Adam Woolnough made his way over from 10 metres out without a hand being laid on him, taking advantage of PJ Marsh slipping over in the Eels defensive line. Johns converted to take himself within one point of the record.
But instead of a four point deficit, it was a 14 point lead to the Eels, as they scored twice in the final seven minutes to virtually end the contest at halftime. First a backline movement found Jarrod Hayne in space - when Hayne ran out of room he chipped in-field, and John Morris did exceptionally well to catch the kick on the full (in the in-goal) and score. Then in the final minute, John Morris grubbered through - this time it deflected off Riley Brown, Nathan Hinton bumbled it, and Luke O'Dwyer pounced on the loose ball to score. Morris converted the try, and Parramatta lead 20-6 at the break.
Things only got worse for Newcastle in the second stanza, as the Eels trounced the Knights. Jarrod Hayne collected four second half tries in a spectacular performance, and John Morris chipped in with his second.
The only respite for the Knights was a try in the 71st minute, which allowed Andrew Johns to kick the conversion - making him Australian rugby league's all-time greatest point-scorer, with his 2,108th first grade point. The Parramatta crowd showed fine sportsmanship by offering Johns a standing ovation.
Newcastle were simply awful, in defence and attack. They faced further criticism after the game when Andrew Johns disappointingly snubbed a post-match presentation of the game-ball by Parramatta coach Jason Taylor.
Parramatta were mighty impressive, and look as if making the play-offs might not be the impossible dream it seemed when Brian Smith quit as coach mid-season. The win was made even more significant by the fact that Tim Smith departed in the first half with a season ending injury.
What they said:
Andrew Johns:
"I know the game ball was out there to be taken but I was that devastated I just wanted to get to the sheds. It's probably disappointing that I walked off but you've got to understand how gutted I felt, you know? That's the way it is, you don't always get fairytales."
Nathan Cayless:
"[On a tackle which injured Johns' neck] I got hurt in that tackle as well but he got up and ran away ... I hope he's OK."
Jason Taylor:
"[On Johns not accepting the match-ball] Look, I don't feel embarrassed or disappointed at what happened. I understand how he felt ... it's his decision."
"I was going down there to congratulate him and make the presentation but also to be with my players after a win. It would have been nice if he stayed but I have no dramas with it."