NRL 2020, Round 3 | Penrith Panthers and Newcastle Knights play out dramatic 14-all draw

The Newcastle Knights were left in disarray inside 10 minutes but showed plenty of courage in a heart-stopping golden point epic.

Mitchell Pearce suffered a brutal head knock

Seven minutes in, the Newcastle Knights had already lost two of their key players.

Already entering the match against the Penrith Panthers without Kalyn Ponga, much of the creativity for the team was set to fall on the shoulders of captain Mitchell Pearce.

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But just four an a half minutes into the game, Pearce was steamrolled by Stephen Crichton before hooker Connor Watson went down with an ankle injury.

Just before half-time, it was 14-0 but a try from prop Daniel Saifiti on the buzzer gave Newcastle some hope.

And it appeared to be all they needed.

While the Panthers peppered them throughout the second half and dominated plenty of possession, the Knights scored two tries through centre Bradman Best, locking the game up with 10 minutes to go at 14-all.

It was an unbelievable comeback and the commentators were left stunned.

“This is incredible,” Fox Sports’ Michael Ennis said.

The Knights celebrateone of Bradman Best’s two tries,

But the thrills weren’t over as it became a field goal shootout, with the Panthers’ Matt Burton missing from close range twice while Kurt Mann also missed.

Golden point was also filled with drama as Burton hit the post with the ball coming back to an offside player.

It gave the Knights a shot but Tex Hoy’s attempt was touched, leaving a drop out from the Panthers.

At the end of the next set, Hoy got the ball again but ran, leaving Best and Edrick Lee with just one defender but the final past landed behind the winger and into touch.

“Can you believe it, oh my gosh,” Ennis said.

The second five minutes, the teams couldn’t get to the field goal, finishing 14-all at full-time and splitting the points with the draw.

Braith Anasta said: “Awesome game, monumental, tenacious effort and the endurance effort from the Newcastle Knights, from both sides, it just says to be the Newcastle Knights are the real deal”.

Ben Ikin added: “Greatest draw I’ve ever seen”.

Both teams were spent at full-time.

For the Panthers, Nathan Hindmarsh added that it would be “the one that got away”.

“Ivan Cleary’s got to be filthy in the sheds after this game,” he said. “They had everything go their way in this game with the injuries and they created enough opportunities but didn’t capitalise on them.”

But fans were blown away by the performance, especially from the Knights.

I’m not much of a follower of @NRL but wowee the #NRLPanthersKnights was a ripper 🏉

— Shannon Campbell (@shanshan_23) May 31, 2020

This Knights effort is phenomenal #NRLPanthersKnights

— Cameron Mee (@cameron_mee1) May 31, 2020

@NRLKnights are not entitled to be in this game. Extraordinary character. #NRLPanthersKnights

— BUZZ ROTHFIELD (@BuzzRothfield) May 31, 2020

Gotta love what the @NRLKnights are doing with injuries they have in this @NRL game v @PenrithPanthers so much courage on display. Love the young kid Tex! They sniffing a chance!

— Brendan Joyce (@Brendan_Joyce12) May 31, 2020

The dramatic draw seemed a long way off after Pearce went low in the tackle and caught the hip of Crichton, falling heavily and being left dazed.

“What an enormous blow for Newcastle, their superstar halfback has been left unconscious on the ground,” Michael Ennis said on Fox Sports.

Pearce had a cut on his cheek and was helped from the field.

Mitchell Pearce is helped off the field after a BRUTAL head-knock. 😳

WATCH: Channel 9 | STREAM: https://t.co/cbkZMLMetT#9WWOS #NRLPanthersKnights pic.twitter.com/E5oQ8VEqub

— NRL on Nine (@NRLonNine) May 31, 2020

But it wasn’t going to end there with Connor Watson, who swapped into halfback from hooker to cover Pearce, went down with an ankle injury just three minutes later.

While he limped back into the line, Watson didn’t last too long before coming from the field.

“This is a disaster for Newcastle,” Matthew Thompson said on Channel 9’s coverage.

“This is the worst possible start for Newcastle,” Peter Sterling agreed.

NRL Physio Brien Seeney said Watson was done for the day with a syndesmosis injury.

Connor Watson is done for the day, concern by video for syndesmosis injury (high ankle sprain) as right foot gets caught in turf and externally rotated. Attempted to run it off but unsuccessful. Even minor sprain often requires 2-3 weeks, moderate to severe sprain: 4-8 weeks pic.twitter.com/CvtTEmP5ww

— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) May 31, 2020

Newcastle were playing some beautiful football. I’m devastated to see Pearce off like that - not only for this game but his health #NRLPanthersKnights

— Joshua Wells (@joshuawells93) May 31, 2020

Pearce.. now Watson fml #NRLPanthersKnights

— Keegan Oh-Chee (@OhhhhChee) May 31, 2020

LMAO can we go back to sport being banned pls. #NRLPanthersKnights #GoHardGoKnights #NRL

— Jessica Dunne (@JessicaTeneal) May 31, 2020

Out to the 21st minute, Tim Glasby also went from the field after copping an elbow after getting in an awkward position.

Amazing to think Newcastle Knights could have one left on the bench after 20 minutes! Three star players either on concussion tests or injured. #NRL

— Roy Ward (@rpjward) May 31, 2020

With the Knights dropping like flies, the Panthers finally pounced, scoring back to back tries to lead 14-0 after 25 minutes.

It came after the second try to Kurt Capewell saw an eight-point try as Knights winger Edrick Lee lashed out with the foot as the Panthers forward scored.

It also lead to the first good news for the Knights with Glasby allowed back on the field after his head injury assessment.

And it got better from there with Daniel Saifiti scoring just before the break to be down 14-6 at the break.