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SuperCoach NRL: Bulldogs move into top eight after Knights demolition, 10 SC Winners and Losers

Doubles to Addo-Carr and Preston helped the Bulldogs smash the Knights to push them into the top eight. See the 10 SuperCoach Winners and Losers from Friday Night Footy.

Sean TeumaSean Teuma
@seanteuma
7 min read
May 31, 2024 - 10:15PM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom
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It was a memorable night for the Bulldogs while the Knights managed to let down more than 21,000 loyal fans.

Canterbury turned it on for the second-straight week to move into eighth spot on the ladder with a convincing win, although it came at a cost.

Fan favourite Josh Addo-Carr went off with a hamstring injury just minutes into the second half, putting a cloud over his immediate playing future.

Here are the 10 SuperCoach Winners and Losers from Friday Night Footy:

SUPERCOACH WINNERS

1. Jacob Preston (106 pts) – The clear top pick from the night with two tries and another strong display on an edge. Shapes as a great purchase over the Origin period.

2. Reed Mahoney (75 pts) – He was at his niggling best, but also came up with two try assists that helped the Bulldogs kick clear in the second half.

3. Josh Curran (74 pts) – Picks up a lot of base points and was rewarded with a lucky bounce that led to a try – but it was his determination that led to the try.

4. Josh Addo-Carr (70 pts) – A real shame this one. Had a brilliant first half with two tries but came off not long after the break with a hamstring injury. Waiting to see the severity.

5. Adam Elliott (66 pts) – 44 tackles, three offloads and three tackle breaks from Elliott was the lone highlight for Newcastle on a night to forget.

SUPERCOACH LOSERS

1. Phoenix Crossland (14 pts) – Got a good stint off the bench but like many Newcastle players tonight, just couldn’t change the game the way he wanted to.

2. Jackson Hastings (21 pts) – Really should’ve made some big plays for the Knights. Will brush it off, but wasn’t a great night for Hastings.

3. Kurtis Morrin (9 pts) – Saw limited time (13 minutes) and didn’t really get the chance to make much happen while out there.

4. Sam Hughes (15 pts) – Played just the 15 minutes tonight, so not sure if there’s an injury cloud or that was part of Cameron Ciraldo’s plan.

5. Daniel Saifiti (6 pts) – Went off with injury towards the end of the first half and there’s an obvious concern if that will impact future games.

FULL-TIME - Bulldogs 32-2

Bronson Xerri brushes David Armstrong aside with ease to put the exclamation mark on a dominant Bulldogs display.

A brain explosion from Jacob Saifiti sees him sent to the sin bin for a headbutt to Reed Mahoney. How he wasn’t sent off is a mystery.

It’s their second smashing in as many weeks and their fans can dare to dream about their finals drought ending.

For the Knights they have a lot to ponder after what was quite frankly a park footy display.

See the top SuperCoach scores from full-time:

Newcastle vs Canterbury - top SuperCoach full-time scores
Newcastle vs Canterbury - top SuperCoach full-time scores

70th minute - Bulldogs 24-2

You can put a fork in the Knights. They are done.

It’s been a shocking performance from Newcastle tonight and their brittle goal line defence has been broken down once again.

Josh Curran showed more determination than any Knight to touch down a ricochet inches from the dead-ball line.

It’s the second try they’ve scored with 12 men while Newcastle has two points for the entire contest.

Jacob Preston completes his double for good measure, touching down a Reed Mahoney double to really emphasise how poor the Knights have been.

Jacob Preston flies to the try line. Photo: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images
Jacob Preston flies to the try line. Photo: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

60th minute - Bulldogs 14-2

Canterbury concede a heap of set restarts on their own line, and it comes back to bite them with Toby Sexton sent to the sin bin for being nor square at marker.

The Knights looked set to finally cross the line, but a nice inside pass from Jack Cogger is spilt by Jackson Hastings.

Time is running out as they continue to waste opportunities.

50th minute - Bulldogs 14-2

Further injury news - Daniel Saifiti is likely out for the game and Josh Addo-Carr has come from the field with a hamstring injury.

He joins a long list of players to have been struck down with hamstring complaints through season 2024.

He’s been the best player tonight too, scoring a double including the opener with a brilliant chip and chase.

In better news for the Bulldogs, Jacob Preston hits a lovely hole close to the line as the Knights fail to scramble.

They’ll need a minor miracle to come back from this.

HALFTIME - Bulldogs 10-2

Daniel Saifiti came from the field with a suspected knee injury.

Back-to-back penalties before the break gave Canterbury a golden opportunity to strike before oranges, but a dropped ball put paid to that.

Reed Mahoney gave away a penalty of his own to help the Knights down the field, and they had the last chance of the half.

But Dylan Lucas fumbles it over the line and the Bulldogs hold solid. Great half in defence from the visitors.

Here are the top SuperCoach scores at halftime:

Newcastle vs Canterbury - top SuperCoach halftime scores
Newcastle vs Canterbury - top SuperCoach halftime scores

30th minute - Bulldogs 10-2

Newcastle has had the best of the early opportunities and making a lot more metres, but they just can’t translate it to points at the moment.

Canterbury will be very encouraged by their start to the game in defence as Lipoi Hopoi is officially an NRL player.

David Armstrong puts down a regulation kick to put the Knights under pressure, and the Bulldogs take full advantage with Josh Addo-Carr grabbing his second of the night.

He touches down in the corner after burning Jack Cogger in a tight window near the sideline.

20th minute - Bulldogs 6-2

A kick on the first tackle almost paid dividends for the Knights, with Jackson Hastings landing it straight on the chest of Greg Marzhew, who bumped off Blake Wilson with ease.

A desperate tackle from Jacob Preston was the difference however, forcing the winger into touch with a great trysaver.

Jacob Kiraz has filled in at the back with Connor Tracey in the sin bin and has done a great job. The Lebanese international hasn’t looked out of place there at all.

The Bulldogs survive the period with 12 men, and add one of their own with a brilliant chip and chase from Josh Addo-Carr.

He kicked past Enari Tuala and picked up a loose ball with David Armstrong slipping over to cap a brilliant individual effort.

10th minute - Knights 2-0

Two of the game’s top nigglers, Reed Mahoney and Jackson Hastings, get a hold of each other’s collars inside the opening four minutes.

Those who took the $1.10 for that to happen can get in the queue.

It was that man Hastings that saw Connor Tracey up in the line and put in a kick for David Armstrong, who is shouldered out of the way by Tracey and is subsequently sent to the sin bin for a professional foul.

8PM: We’re off and running in Newcastle, with the Knights donning their Indigenous strips after having the bye last week.

The heavens have opened in a big way and both sides will have to play wet weather footy to come out on top.

7.30PM: The name on everyone’s lips at the moment is David Armstrong (CTW/FLB $388,400).

The classy fullback has made an immediate impression in his first four games of NRL, scoring five tries and winning every outing in the process.

His job security and ability to hold out Fletcher Sharpe in the absence of Kalyn Ponga has made him a must buy, not to mention his dual position status.

Have you brought him into your team yet, and if not, why not?!

His anticipation is up there with the best in the league, and he is sure to put on a show for the Knights’ faithful at home.

Canterbury Bulldogs top recent SuperCoach scores.
Canterbury Bulldogs top recent SuperCoach scores.

7PM: The final teams are in for a crucial Friday night clash at McDonald Jones Stadium.

Lipoi Hopoi (2RF $204,300) has been named to make his NRL debut off the bench after biding his time and playing well in NSW Cup this season.

Canterbury has voiced its displeasure about the absence of Matt Burton on State of Origin duties, despite the star half only chosen as 18th man for Wednesday’s interstate clash.

Bailey Hayward (HFB $296,900) starts at lock-forward.

It leaves a halves pairing of Drew Hutchison (HFB/CTW $444,200) and Toby Sexton (HFB $596,000) to steer the ship in Newcastle.

Sexton scored 60 in his second outing of the season last week and passed the eye test in a big win over St George Illawarra – how he will combine with Hutchison is another question.

Newcastle remain 1-17 from the team named on Tuesday. They’re without Bradman Best, but welcome back key forward Daniel Saifiti (FRF $400,400).

Newcastle Knights top recent SuperCoach players.
Newcastle Knights top recent SuperCoach players.

EARLIER: Hello and welcome to our rolling coverage of Friday night’s NRL action between the Knights and Bulldogs.

The Bulldogs are without two Origin stars in Matt Burton and Stephen Crichton.

Jacob Kiraz now becomes a focal point for SuperCoaches after averaging 95 in his last five games, although he switches to centre tonight.

On a tough round with Origin players out and seven teams on the bye, plenty of SuperCoaches are also banking on Canterbury’s Samuel Hughes, Josh Curran and Jaeman Salmon in their final sides.

Meanwhile, the Knights are unaffected by Origin, but are missing Blues incumbent Bradman Best due to a hamstring injury.

David Armstrong remains their most popular player after doing a fine job so far as Kalyn Ponga’s replacement.

PLAYER TO WATCH AT BULLDOGS

* Jacob Kiraz CTW $799,200 - We’ve been blessed with a host of high performing CTWs this year with eight players (played four or more games) averaging over 70PPG. At the top of the list are perennial stars Joey Manu and Val Holmes.

Right behind them – on average and total points – sits Kiraz. With a great base and terrific power game, Kiraz is far from a flat track bully as his 100 against the Panthers and 101 against the Knights (the fifth stingiest defence in the league right now) attest.

A good buy for those looking to get out of Zac Lomax or Reece Walsh (via duals) but I’m not sure about all those selling Garrick to get Kiraz, that one feels sideways.

PLAYER TO WATCH AT KNIGHTS

* David Armstrong CTW/FLB $388,400 - If you are late on Armstrong the $180K we’re paying compared to his starting price hurts, but don’t let your pride stop you from buying.

With a BE of -53 this week there’s plenty more money to be made and his job security is solid for the next 4-6 weeks at least.

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