Mitchell Pearce kicks winning field goal on debut for Newcastle against Manly

MITCHELL Pearce has started his Newcastle career in the most spectacular fashion possible thanks to a golden point field goal to down Manly in front of an adoring home crowd.

Newcastle's Mitchell Pearce celebrates after kicking the winning field goal in extra time during the Newcastle Knights v Manly rugby league match at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle. Picture: Brett Costello

WE know it’s only round one and there’s a long road ahead in 2018.

But if the Mitchell Pearce inspired 19-18 golden point win over Manly is any indication of what’s to come for Nathan Brown’s new-look Knights, the days of being the NRL’s easybeats are over.

You couldn’t have script a better finish when star recruit Pearce slotted the winning field goal in the 88th minute to close out a memorable win for a team coming off three straight wooden spoons.

As the players came charging in jubilation, a crowd of 23,515 celebrated like they haven’t done for years.

It was the third biggest first round crowd at Newcastle since the club came into the competition in 1988.

Mitchell Pearce celebrates his match-winning field goal.

Mitchell Pearce is the centre of attention after his 88th minute heroics.

And high in the stands Pearce’s famous father Wayne would have been proud to watch his boy who had left the Sydney Roosters with his heart broken after the signing of Cooper Cronk.

“It is a special feeling,” Pearce admitted.

“Obviously it is only round one and there is a long way to go and we are a team that is building.

“But it has been a great buzz around pre-season and many of us have come to the club.

“To start the season in that way is special for sure.”

With nine players having their first game for Newcastle, Cowboy recruit Kalyn Ponga also had a huge game.

Brown praised the 19-year-old who scored the first try in just the second minute after he copped a high shot off Brian Kelly, while he came up with a couple of terrific try saving tackles in the second half and also slotted three conversions from as many attempts.

Kalyn Ponga was a stand-out for the Knights.

Brown knows Ponga is going to be targeted heavily this year just like he was in this match.

But on his performance against Manly, this young sensation who has received so much hype appears worth every cent of the reported $3 million over four years.

“It is going to get a lot harder for Kalyn before it gets easier,” Brown said.

“There is going to be plenty of sides who are going to kick high and give him plenty of stick.

“But to get straight back after copping a knock and want the ball and to save a try and kick three from three (conversions) … we can all say he has done a pretty fair job for us.”

In a seesawing battle, the teams were locked at 12-all at halftime before Newcastle looked home when they lead 18-16 heading into the final quarter after fellow recruit Connor Watson put Lachlan Fitzgibbon over.

But Manly refused to give up and a 77th minute Daly Cherry-Evans penalty conversion sent the match into overtime.

Jamie Buhrer and Lachlan Fitzgibbon enjoy the win over the Sea Eagles.

While Cherry-Evans missed both his shots at field goal, Pearce nailed his second.

Pearce also praised the forwards who he believed got the better of the tough Manly pack.

New hooker Slade Griffin deserved special mention after coming into the team after the controversial axing of Danny Levi.

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After two tough years in the job, you had to feel happy for Brown.

“There is a lot of excited people,” Brown said.

“There is always heart break for one team.

“When we went into the second period of golden point I thought both sides are probably entitled to a (competition) point here.

Daly Cherry-Evans tries to get Manly going.

“But golden point doesn’t work like that.

“And Junior did what he got brought here to do I suppose.

“Put the polish on the end of the game.”

Not since 2013 when they finished a game short of the grand final under Wayne Bennett have the Knights looked as good as they did in this game.

You can’t go overboard given it is only round one but with the mix of experience and talent their loyal fans should be looking forward to a much improved year.

NEWCASTLE 19 (L Fitzgibbon S Griffin K Ponga tries K Ponga 3 goals M Pearce field goal) bt MANLY 18 (B Kelly S Lane J Taufua tries D Cherry-Evans 3 goals) in extra time at McDonald Jones Stadium. Crowd: 23,515

Originally published as Mitchell Pearce kicks winning field goal on debut for Newcastle against Manly