NRL 2021: Brisbane Broncos throw Newcastle Knights’ finals credentials into question

The Newcastle Knights have hit a snag on the eve of the finals series, suffering defeat at the hands of the struggling Brisbane Broncos.

The Broncos pulled off an upset at home. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Newcastle’s finals campaign is on the rocks before it has begun after prop David Klemmer suffered a suspected rib cartilage injury in a humiliating 35-22 loss to a brave Brisbane Broncos outfit that was also rocked by injury.

Coach Adam O’Brien hooked half Mitchell Pearce and fullback Kalyn Ponga in the 45th minute after Brisbane took a 24-4 lead. The duo had been well below their best in the opening half but the coach was not taking any chances.

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The Knights will be finals fodder in the elimination final against the Eels if there is a repeat of the diabolical form dished up against Brisbane.

Klemmer was in agony after he copped a hit to the rib cage in the second half in a strong tackle and the Knights will be sweating on the prognosis.

O’Brien said the veteran prop was brave and had already put his hand up to play through the pain next week.

“It is a rib cartilage thing. I just spoke with him and I think he will get up for the game,” O’Brien said.

“It is early days but these days they can needle the and strap them up and keep them pretty tight. It hasn’t popped out again, but he’s a tough cookie.”

Broncos captain Alex Glenn played his last NRL game on Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

O’Brien wanted to give halves Jake Clifford and Pearce more time together ahead of the finals and fine tune their rapport with Ponga at the back.

Instead, Newcastle fluffed its lines with poor finishing and bad defensive reads handing Brisbane the advantage.

“Kalyn and Junior (Pearce) have missed a fair chunk of footy and we know it is going to go up a level next week,” O’Brien said.

“They just wanted to get some minutes so we stuck to the plan. I thought there were some good pieces of play but we just didn’t ice the end of it.”

The Broncos lost star prop Payne Haas to syndesmosis and hooker Jake Turpin to a broken jaw in the first half.

The Knights rested Mitch Barnett, Jayden Brailey, Hymel Hunt, Jacob Saifiti, Sauaso Sue and Tyson Frizell for the clash, but should have put away the Broncos if they are serious about having any impact in the play-offs.

O’Brien said he was proud of his young players against Brisbane and confident ahead of the Eels where Daniel Saifiti is on track to return from an MCL injury.

“I think we fly into finals. We have nine or 10 good footballers sitting at home getting ready to play,” he said.

“(Daniel Saifiti) is training really well and I’ll be backing him in.”

Newcastle did come back at the death with Jack Johns scoring his first NRL try and hooker Chris Randall crossing as forward Brodie Jones lifted the side, but it was too little too late as retiring Broncos skipper Alex Glenn went out a winner.

Clunky spine

Pearce and Clifford had been unbeaten in their six games together before the Broncos loss and the Knights will hope the display is just a blip on the radar.

Instead of enhancing the combination, their opponents Anthony Milford and Albert Kelly outplayed them in the first half,

Ponga tried hard in his stint but a lack of cohesion and timing with outside backs Bradman Best and Enari Tuala proved costly.

David Klemmer suffered a rib injury on Saturday afternoon. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)

Better needed

Best needs to be better if the Knights are to go anywhere in the finals. He’s lost his mojo. A centre of his size and strength should be dominating. Best’s defensive lapses will also need to be addressed otherwise the Eels will romp home.

Knights challenge

The Knights have played the teams above them on the ladder seven times this year with an 18-10 win over the Sea Eagles their only win.

Pearce did not play in any of those seven games so his creative nous will be crucial against the Eels.

Only the Bulldogs have a worse attacking record than the Knights, due partly to the fact their best spine has rarely played together. It was the defensive lapses against Brisbane the coach must address.