NRL Trials 2022: Adam Clune, Matt Dufty play starring roles as Knights, Bulldogs draw 16-16

Good news Knights fans, a replacement has emerged for Mitchell Pearce. And the Bulldogs have to be happy with their new fullback as well on a night when nothing split the two teams.

Adam Clune has found himself an NRL No.7 jersey, Matt Dufty the opening lines to a redemption story and Gus Gould … well, he found himself breaking baby news via Twitter.

On a night where the final scoreline may have given away little, and mattered even less (for the record, 16-all) there were still plenty of storylines to emerge from Newcastle Stadium.

With top billing, surprisingly, going to a pair of St George Illawarra rejects.

Specifically, Clune and Dufty.

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Bulldogs star Jeremy Marshall-King charges into the knights defence.

The first of whom signed with Newcastle this year to play back up for Mitchell Pearce – and is now almost certainly set to replace the most polarising halfback in NSW Origin history.

Then you have Dufty, that Dragons reject all fast feet and signature long ball who showcased both in this one – scoring a runaway try from almost 90m out and orchestrating another with a beautiful left to right pass for winger Jayden Okenbur.

Clune, wonderfully, was not to be outdone in the try assist department, either.

With the 26-year-old not only among the Knights best in a solid opening half, but throwing a nice overhead ball of his own to set up Dom Young in the left corner.

PEARCE OFF, CLUNE ON

All of which suggests Knights coach Adam O’Brien has found his replacement for departed halfback Pearce.

On a night when new Knights assistant Andrew Johns watching on from the stands, Clune worked the Knights to a halftime lead, passed for a try and generally tried his clacker off - most notably when he chased down runaway Bulldogs young gun Paul Alamoti.

Halves partner Jake Clifford also had a solid first half, pushing his way over for a try after just two minutes, while new captain Kalyn Ponga had a couple of nice touches, although also copped a bell ringer from winger Declan Casey.

Unsurprisingly, all were rested after the break.

SCRAPPY DOGS

Despite a robust 2022 signing spree, Bulldogs coach Trent Barrett still has work to do with an outfit that, at times in this one, struggled for both cohesion and completions.

Certainly more will be known in a week given Barrett chose to rest several big name recruits – most notably Matt Burton, Brent Naden and Josh Addo-Carr.

Midway through the match, Dogs boss Phil Gould also revealed the mysterious absence of enforcer Jack Hetherington, tweeting: “Jack and partner Jorgia welcomed their first child, a baby girl, yesterday. Jack given night off. He will play next week.”

Jirah Momoisea gave the Knights a flying start.

BITS AND PIECES

Knights coach O’Brien was impressed with the efforts of veteran enforcer Dave Klemmer, whose decision to add a tip on to his game brought a nice first half try for the Knights.

Elsewhere, Bulldogs backrower Corey Waddell found himself on report for a high shot on Brayden Musgrove while Knights utility Bailey Hodgson left the field with what appeared to be an elbow injury.

The other big question mark was over the Bulldogs grey playing strip, with fans seemingly split on social media over the old school, grey jersey.

On a weekend when Mark Geyer’s son make headlines, it was also good to see Nick O’Meley, son of NSW Origin favourite Mark O’Meley, get a run for the Knights.

Originally published as NRL Trials 2022: Adam Clune, Matt Dufty play starring roles as Knights, Bulldogs draw 16-16