2007 Round 1 vs Bulldogs:
Newcastle 25 defeated Bulldogs 24.
Newcastle kicked off 2007 with a win, in dramatic circumstances at EnergyAustralia Stadium. Andrew Johns was tackled high by Sonny Bill Williams in the fourth minute, and spent several minutes unconscious. When he was stretchered off, referee Tony Archer sent off Williams. Despite being reduced to 12 men, the Bulldogs raced to a 24-8 lead at halftime, but Newcastle produced a stirring second half comeback, to eventually take the win 25-24.
The Bulldogs scored the first try through Andrew Ryan in the 11th minute, when he forced his way across the line from short range. They went back to back from the next set, when Luke Patten scored a sizzling try from his own half. Five minutes later the Bulldogs extended their lead to 18-2, when Reni Maitua pushed past Brad Tighe to get the ball down.
Terence Seu Seu, having a fine debut match, got the Knights back into the contest in the 26th minute when he bluffed his way over from dummy half, but it was the Bulldogs going to the break with the momentum, when Trent Cutler got over out wide in the 32nd minute.
Newcastle looked a different, more composed side after the break. First Josh Perry took a brilliant Jarrod Mullen short pass to march over for a try in the 47th minute, then Todd Polglase stepped through tiring Bulldogs defence five minutes later, thanks to a beautiful Daniel Tolar offload. By the 58th minute, the Knights were level at 24 all, when James McManus took an inside Todd Polglase ball to force his way across the line, in his first first-grade game.
Newcastle looked the better side in the final 22 minutes, but could not score again to put the issue beyond doubt (Seu Seu had another dummy-half try disallowed due to an obstruction). Eventually in the 73rd minute, Kurt Gidley slotted a field goal to give the Knights a one point advantage.
The Bulldogs roared back into like in the final few minutes though, and looked to have the game won when Dallas McIlwain broke downfield and passed infield to Trent Cutler who had an open run to the line. Cutler spilled the perfect pass, however, and the game went wanting for the Bulldogs.
Newcastle responded well in the second half to Andrew Johns' unexpected absence. Despite playing 12 men, they needed a courageous performance to come back from their halftime deficit, and they produced. Debutants James McManus and Terence Seu Seu were outstanding for Newcastle, as was first time Knight Todd Polglase. Kurt Gidley always provided spark from the back, and the forward pack laid a good platform. Johns was later cleared of a suspected broken cheekbone, but would still miss several weeks with concussion.
What they said:
Andrew Johns:
"When I sort of come around, when I was up at the hospital I thought for sure that I had busted my cheekbone."
"My cheekbone was really sore and it's got a bit of bruising on it. So I'm over the moon in a way (that) I'm not going to miss a month of footy."
"It's going to be in the hands of the medical staff how long I'm out (with concussion) but I'm glad I'm not out for an extended period."
"The way I feel at the moment, I just want to go home to bed."
Brian Smith:
[On Andrew Johns] "He's a sick and sorry boy."
"I don't know how may footy games I've ever coached, but I don't think on my death bed I'll ever forget this one."
"I've forgot about a lot of (games) but that was one hell of a ride today."
Steve Folkes:
[On Sonny Bill Williams' send off] "I think it was the wrong decision to send him off, I don't think it warranted that. I've watched four-and-a-half games of football this weekend and my first impression was that I've seen that tackle 15 times already. Sometimes they've been penalised, other times they haven't been."
[On the home ground advantage influencing the send off] "You can draw you own conclusions from that, I'm not allowed to say anything. They were fairly loud, it sounded like more than 18,500 people calling for his head. That could influence some people I guess."