The Newcastle Knights Archive.

2007 Round 1 vs Bulldogs:

Andrew Johns grins from ear to ear, as 2007 gets ready to kick-off. Andrew Johns makes a run early in the match. Andrew Johns takes it to the line in the third minute ... ... and gets absolutely smashed ... ... by Sonny Bill Williams. Players from both sides, concerned about Johns' wacky knocked out state. Lights out for Andrew Johns. Players are concerned (except drongo Willie Mason, surprise surprise) about Andrew Johns' demise. Trainers attempt ... ... to revive ... ... Andrew Johns ... ... but he is well and truely ... ... unconscious. The Newcastle trainers ... ... call for the neck-brace. Andrew Johns has a neck brace attached. Andrew Johns is loaded onto the stretcher ... ... and lifted from the field. Andrew Johns is assisted from the field, to put it mildly. Andrew Johns ... ... is lifted ... ... on his way ... ... off the field ... ... to hospital ... ... with a suspected ... ... broken cheekbone. Sonny Bill Williams awaits his fate. Tony Archer has no hesitation in sending offf Sonny Bill Williams. Sonny Bill Williams ... ... marches off the field. The Bulldogs are reduced to twelve players. Sonny Bill Williams heads up the Knights tunnel ... ... to apologise to Andrew Johns. Andrew Ryan crosses shortly after the Andrew Johns furore. Luke Patten celebrates a Bulldogs try. The Bulldogs, on a bit of a first-half pointscoring rampage. Willie Mason is taken down to Chinatown by Steve Simpson and Kurt Gidley. Luke Patten tries to get past Jarrod Mullen. Reni Maitua gets free of the Knights tacklers ... ... to extend the Bulldog's lead. Terence Seu Seu crosses for the Knights only first-half try ... ... and is over the moon with it! Jarrad Hickey hits it up ... ... but gets taken down by Steve Simpson and Kurt Gidley Willie Mason puts the heads down and runs for it. Adam MacDougall, in his first game back in the red and blue. James McManus offloads, despite Trent Cutler trying to stop him. Todd Polglase crosses, courtesy of a primo Daniel Tolar offload. Chris Armit is taken to by George Carmont, Jarrod Mullen and Kirk Reynoldson. James McManus crashes over ... ... and ties the game up! Brad Tighe gives James McManus a pat for his first-match tryscoring prowess. James McManus goes off ... ... after scoring his first try in his debut match. Kurt Gidley offloads a pass. Andrew Ryan about to be tackled by Todd Polglase. Debutant James McManus takes it forward in a great first match. Reni Maitua is tackled by Matthew White, Daniel Abraham and Kurt Gidley. Kurt Gidley steps on the gas. Some Bulldogs player runs for it. Jarrod Mullen puts in a chip kick. Andrew Ryan finds a bit of space with the ball in hand ... ... but is grabbed by Jarrod Mullen. Terence Seu Seu celebrates ... ... scoring what he thought was a try ... ... but it was not to be! Possibly the most photographed non-try in rugby league history. Tony Archer awards a penalty, and George Carmont is either happy or displeased about this. Jarrad Hickey is all wrapped up by Steve Simpson. Steve Simpson hits it up. Willie Mason finds metres hard to make in the second half. Fill-in halfback Jarrod Mullen takes it to the line. Steve Simpson trudges forward. Adam MacDougall takes the ball forward, in his first games for Newcastlle since 2003. Having a brilliant debut, Terence Seu Seu runs the ball. Kurt Gidley slots the one pointer ... ... watches it sail staight through the posts ... ... and Newcastle wins a thriller, 25-24! Reni Maitua and Willie Mason are lesss than thrilled, while Newcastle celebrate a fine win. The crowd goes wild over the monumental second half comeback.