A second-half masterclass from teen sensation Jesse Southwell has helped the Knights storm home to beat Canberra 20-12 to snap the Green Machine’s perfect record at GIO Stadium.
The defending premiers looked headed for a loss when they went into the sheds down 10-0 at the break, but their star halfback led the comeback which saw them hit the front just 18 minutes later when Southwell dummied and crashed over.
The young gun nailed a 40/30 in the first half but had struggled to get into the contest, even conceding a penalty for taking too long to take a goal line dropout which gifted Canberra two points from in front.
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But she stood tall when it mattered most, throwing a cut out pass for Sheridan Gallagher to continue her scoring streak before Southwell nailed the sideline conversion and then crossed for her own four-pointer to break the deadlock.
It’s a huge result for Newcastle who go top of the table for now ahead of next week’s game at home against premiership favourites the Roosters in what should be the match of the year.
HOME TRUTHS
Canberra’s perfect record at home has come to an end after another second-half fadeout which could see them drop out of the top four by the end of the round.
The NRLW newcomers won their first three games at GIO Stadium and looked set to make it four on the trot when Madison Bartlett crossed for a first-half double, but they managed just two points after the break having been held scoreless in the second half last week.
Mackenzie Wiki had a field day with 238 metres despite coming off for an HIA, but their spine offered very little in attack while superstar forward Simaima Taufa was forced to do all the heavy lifting in the middle.
