NRL LIVE: Ponga charging Knights towards finals after young gun's ...

Newcastle have kept their finals dreams alive after a Kalyn Ponga masterclass, their 36-14 victory over the Gold Coast setting up a tantalising clash against the Dolphins next weekend.

A cloudless Sunday afternoon left Newcastle fans dreaming of a fourth finals appearance in five seasons, and a clear-cut entry price to September – beat the Titans and the Dolphins, and you’ll be there.

Whist the equation had Knights’ supporters hopeful, the start to the clash did the opposite after Jojo Fifita ran 60 metres untouched to score just seven minutes into the scorching affair.

A routine shift to the right saw fill-in centre Beau Fermor send Jojo racing down the sideline, and despite shaping to pass to debutant Jaylan de Groot, the speedster burnt Ponga on the outside to dot down for a 4-0 lead.

Despite the returning Bradman Best having the stadium on its feet following a 70-metre dash, it would take 15 minutes for Newcastle to respond on the scoreboard, Jayden Brailey sending Ponga through a yawning gap to snare the lead.

In what was initially assumed to be an absolute pointsfest, there would only be a singuar try to come for the remainder of the opening half, a Dylan Lucas offload sending Best through the line with minutes left in the opening stanza, finding his skipper on the inside for an early double, and a 12-4 lead at the break.

It was a welcome return to the score sheet for KP, crossing for just a singular try in 2024 heading into this must-win affair.

The custodian was involved as soon as the second-half kicked-off, sending Best down the left sideline, before swinging it right this time to Dane Gagai, the veteran centre sending rookie Fletcher Sharpe over in the corner to extend the lead.

It was a compounding try for the Gold Coast, sending the kick-off out on the full, and handing Sharpe a quickfire double the ensuing set. A rapid shift right saw Crossland send Brodie jones through a yawning gap, flicking the ball to Sharpe before hitting the turf for a 20-4 lead.

The youngster couldn’t be stopped their, notching his third try in eight minutes moments later, his seventh try in his last two games at McDonald Jones Stadium. Gagai shrugged off a rushing Khan-Pereira to burst through the line 20-metres out, before drawing Brian Kelly and outing a perfect slanted grubber into the corner for Sharpe to snare his hat-trick.

The party wouldn’t end their for Newcastle, this time Phoenix Crossland crossing for his first try of the season, and Newcastle’s fourth four-pointer in 15 minutes.

A last-tackle shift found a steam-rolling Best, who flung the Steeden back inside to find his halfback for a sudden 30-4 lead.

The Titans would get one back, Jojo Fifita flying above former Titan Greg Marzhew to bag a double of his own, and slash the home team’s lead to 22.

The feel-good moment of the afternoon came with ten minutes to play, Campbell slicing through the middle before finding debutant de Groot to score in his maiden game in the top-grade, despite starting the season well down the wrung.

While Newcastle seemed to be waiting for the full-time siren, Leo Thompson didn’t get the message, steaming onto a short-ball from Adam Elliott in the final minute, and joining Crossland in avoiding the dreaded nudie run.

The 36-14 victory pushes Newcastle into 9th spot, and sets up a mouth-watering clash at McDonald Jones Stadium next Sunday against the 8th-placed Dolphins for the final spot in the eight.

Here are the biggest talking points out of the match.

PRINCE PONGA KEEPS DREAMS ALIVE

The reigning Dally M medallist put in arguably his finest performance of 2024 in Newcastle’s must-win clash against the Titans, notching 16 points, 218 metres and 11 tackle breaks whilst staying involved as ever on attack.

Having scored his first-ever NRL try against the Titans just over seven years ago, Ponga crossed for his 50th in red-and-blue midway through the first-half as he ensured the club would stay firmly in the top eight race.

FOURTH-STRING FULLBACK ANOTHER STAR ON THE RISE

In what has been a tough season for the Titans on the field, there has been some silver linings, mostly revolving around the club’s No. 1 jersey.

Having lost AJ Brimson for the season, Keano Kino for the game and Jayden Campbell entrenched in the five-eighth role, head coach Des Hasler unleashed fancied rookie Jaylan de Groot, and the rookie didn’t let them down.

­­­­­­­­­­Crossing for a 70th minute try on debut, the custodian nearly had a double a few minutes later after backing up a Jojo linebreak, and notching over 150 metres. There’s a bright future for this kid, even if his path seems blocked up north.

SHARPE SHAPES FOR DALLY M ROOKIE NOD

While Fletcher Sharpe was $1.01 heading into this affair to earn Newcastle’s Rookie of the Year award, however his last few performances could have the flyer set for a higher honour.

The Dally M Rookie of the Year gong still appears wide open with Max Plath, Keano Kini and Lachlan Galvin eligible, and Sharpe’s late-season antics shooting him up the leaderboard.

Despite having the likes of Ethan Strange, Jack Bostock and Kayal Iro up against him, don’t be surprised if Fletcher’s name gets read out on Dally M night.

MATCH CENTRE: Knights vs Titans, teams, video, live score

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MATCH PREVIEW

The Newcastle Knights are fighting to keep their season alive when they host the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday afternoon.

The Knights, who have won two of their previous three games, need nothing less than a victory in the Round 26 clash to have any chance of qualifying for the finals.

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Meanwhile, the Titans will be playing for pride this weekend, with their premiership dream already over.

Kick-off at McDonald Jones Stadium is scheduled for 2pm AEST.