‘F***ing disgusting’: Fans boo Bulldogs after recordbreaking Knights massacre

A day after a 74-point demolition, the Newcastle Knights nearly surpassed that mark with a clinical massacre of the Bulldogs.

The Knights put on 11 tries against the Bulldogs. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

It seemed settled that Wests Tigers were the worst team in the NRL until Canterbury entered the debate around 3pm on Sunday afternoon.

Like the Tigers on Saturday night in Townsville, the Bulldogs didn’t have a go and the Knights gladly ran in 11 tries in a club record 66-0 smashing at Accor Stadium.

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It was always going to be a battle for Canterbury to make the finals this season given their roster and injuries have cruelled them at times.

But they were only really missing Viliame Kikau and Luke Thompson on Sunday.

At least the Tigers didn’t put up their terrible display in front of their home fans.

The Bulldogs were down 30-0 at halftime and the booing roared around the ground.

When Kurt Mann scored three minutes into the second half, a heap of Canterbury fans got straight up and walked out.

Phoenix Crossland of the Knights makes a break and scores a try. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

With each Knights try, more and more got out of their seats and walked to their cars.

And who could blame the 11,004 supporters who optimistically turned up.

Bulldogs coach Cameron Ciraldo copped his share of abuse from his own fans as they left in frustration.

One supporter yelled at his coaches’ box: “This is f**ing disgusting”.

And that was one of the kinder comments.

Perhaps only Tim Sheens knows how Ciraldo feels.

Canterbury looked like they’d never trained together. They were so clunky and disorganised.

If that wasn’t bad enough, their desire was shocking once they got behind.

Even if they lost by 66 to Penrith the fans wouldn’t be happy, let alone to a team that was 14th on the ladder.

When the Bulldogs got a late penalty their fans sarcastically called for them to take the two points.

Kalyn Ponga was superb at fullback for the Knights, setting up tries galore and kicking a perfect 11 out 11 conversions.

Newcastle piled on 11 tries. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)

PONGA DOMINANCE

Kalyn Ponga was a class above the Bulldogs.

He carved them up the whole game.

Ponga’s beautiful sleight of hand was on show early as he sent Bradman Best over from close range to give the Knights a 12-0 lead after 18 minutes.

The try he laid on to Phoenix Crossland in the 35th minute was one of an Origin player.

He laid on three first half tries to end the game quickly.

Adam Elliot was also good early on, causing havoc with his strong line running.

NO HELP FOR BURTON

Matt Burton was trying his best but his teammates weren’t helping his Origin hopes.

Understandably, he struggled to get into the game and has had a tough season playing out of position with no creative help around him.

If he plays Origin on Wednesday week it will be because Brad Fittler already had him picked in his mind before Sunday.

Originally published as ‘F***ing disgusting’: Fans boo Bulldogs after recordbreaking Knights massacre