Gold Coast Titans thrash ‘under-8’s’ Newcastle Knights in shocking upset

The Newcastle Knights have put in a shocking performance on the eve of the NRL semi-finals with coach Adam O’Brien calling it “under-eights”.

The Gold Coast Titans have had a huge finish to the year.

In a match between a finalist and an also-ran, the Gold Coast Titans have run in a stunning 36-6 win over the Newcastle Knights to end the year on a high.

It was a stunning finish with last years‘ wooden spooners finishing the year with a club record equalling fifth straight win.

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It wraps up ninth place for the Titans and a stunning end to the club‘s first year under Justin Holbrook after claiming just four wins in 2019.

As for the Knights, it continues a concerning trend of winning one and losing one over the last six rounds of the season.

The Titans were on from the outset with Ash Taylor scoring just two minutes into the game before Mitch Rein burrowed over from close range.

While the Knights had two tries disallowed by the bunker, Edrick Lee scored in the corner in the 32nd minute with some life in the game.

The Gold Coast Titans have equalled the club record five straight wins.

When Brian Kelly scored with three minutes left in the half to give the Titans a 16-6 lead at the break, the stage was set for the Gold Coast to run away with it.

Fox League team tore the Knights to shreds.

“The Newcastle Knights are spent, they are over on their heels,” Corey Parker said.

“For a team that has built their season on defence that is poor, they have turned up with a poor attitude this evening.”

Queensland coach Kevin Walters also called it “sloppy” while at halftime Greg Alexander said the Knights needed to put in a bigger effort.

“They are limping into the finals,” Alexander said.

“If they go on to play that poorly in the second half and get beaten by the Titans, I don’t give them any hope of winning next week. None.

“Souths would lap them.”

The Knights will need to be better than that next week.

And it was all one way traffic in the second half with the Titans scoring three long range tries and a stunning dodging effort from AJ Brimson.

It was a thrashing that left the finals bound Newcastle side shell-shocked.

Fox League commentator Dan Ginnane summed it up best.

“The Knights are off to the finals and they are being blown apart by the Titans,” Dan Ginnane said.

Social media was split into two camps, with those eager to see the Titans in 2021 and those savaging the Knights’ performance.

Genuinely embarrassing from a team poised to play its first final in 7 years next week

You'd think the players would be excited about it? Looks like they're thinking about Mad Monday already #NRLTitansKnights

— Simon Brunsdon (@SimonBrunsdon) September 25, 2020

The shithousery in that was phenomenal. This team I swear. #NRLTitansKnights #GoHardGoKnights

— Jessica Dunne (@JessicaTeneal) September 25, 2020

When Justin Holbrook realises he’s got a top 8 team for 2021 #NRLTitansKnights pic.twitter.com/Ea7e1dtgqD

— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) September 25, 2020

The @GCTitans are the best team in the NRL to watch. Don't @ me. #NRLTitansKnights

— Travis Meyn (@travismeyn) September 25, 2020

The result leaves it up to the Souths’ performance against the Roosters to decide who will host the final next weekend.

If Souths win, Newcastle will travel to Sydney. If the Rabbitohs lose, the Knights will host the final.