The Newcastle Knights Archive.

2006 Finals Week 1 vs Manly Warringah Sea Eagles:

Brian Carney outsprints Travis Burns ... ... and skips away down the sideline. The two Georges collide - George Rose and George Carmont. David Seage sadly does his knee again ... ... and is carried off the field ... ... in total agony. Manly go off their rocker with joy, as Brett Stewart scores the first try of the match. Kurt Gidley is driven backwards, by ferocious Manly defence. Ben Kennedy celebrates Manly's second try to Michael Robertson. Danny Buderus about to put the fend on. Fill-in fullback Kurt Gidley grabs ahold of veteran Steve Menzies. Brett Stewart has a Newcastle player diving in desperation. Danny Buderus looks for support. Sean Hampstead awards a penalty, depsite Ben Kennedy's protestations. Brian Carney tries to break free of Matt Orford. Matthew Gidley puts on a big fend. Brent Kite sends Steve Simpson sprawling. Josh Perry tries to push off Brent Kite. Newcastle finally get on the scoreboard in the 50th minute ... ... when Andrew Johns runs around to score under the posts. Michael Robertson flicks in a grubber for Steve Matai to score. Kurt Gidley runs off an Andrew Johns pass to post the Knight's second try ... ... and Newcastle are determined to close up what is now a six point deficit. Craig Smith insists upon a Brett Stewart error. Andrew Johns throws a pass. Kurt Gidley twists his body around ... ... and reaches out ... ... to score a brilliant try ... ... right besides the posts ... ... leaving a simple conversion to level the scores with 12 minutes to go. Andrew Johns takes an unsuccessful shot at field goal. Jarrod Mullen shows nerves of steel to kick a field goal ... ... with Andrew Johns providing a handy decoy - Newcastle 19-18!!! It looks like a great tackle so far ... ... but as Danny Buderus lifts up Michael Robertson ... ... he takes him beyond the horizontal ... ... and spears him into the ground. Bound to find himself in hot water over this one! Michael Robertson hits the turf. This would hurt. Ben Kennedy comes in and couses a kerfuffle. Danny Buderus is put on report. Matt Orford's field goal attempt is charged down ... ... by a committed Reegan Tanner. A penalty off the repeat set, and Matt Orford kicks for the win ... ... but misses, Jarrod Mullen making a long, long run after catching the kick. Brian Carney catches a last minute Andrew Johns bomb ... ... and wrestles free of Michael Robinson ... ... carrying him across the line to score ... ... putting the icing on the cake for a classic finals match ... ... and Brian Carney goes crrrazy with the celebrations! The Newcastle boys woohoo it up! Andrew Johns is one happy man ... ... tasting finals success for the first time since 2001. Brent Kite, who started the match off the bench, is majorly bummed out. Andrew Johns and Clint Newton celebrate Newcastle's first finals win since 2001! Kurt Gidley and Matthew Gidley (at EnergyAustralia for the final time) embrace. Newcastle salute the crowd - WHAT A MATCH!!!