Ford and Boyd Shine as Warriors Remain Unbeaten in Newcastle
The Warriors secured a 38-12 victory over Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday. The win extended their perfect start to 3-0 for only the second time in club history.
Standout performances
Jackson Ford finished with a game-high 187 metres, 42 tackles and a try. The match marked his 100th NRL appearance and added to his Dally M points tally of 12.
Tanah Boyd impressed with booming kicks and clever attacking play. His form strengthens his claim for the No.7 jersey ahead of Luke Metcalf’s expected return from an ACL injury.
Soon-to-be Bronco Mitch Barnett returned from last June’s ACL rupture. He came off the bench and produced 97 metres and 13 tackles.
Match timeline and key moments
Newcastle opened the scoring when Fletcher Hunt took a high catch from Tyson Gamble’s precise kick. Boyd set up Erin Clark for a try in the 12th minute to level the contest.
Hunt was sent to the sin bin in the 32nd minute. Leka Halasima then grounded a try to give the visitors an 18-6 halftime lead.
In the second half, James Fisher-Harris and Boyd crossed to extend the margin. Greg Marzhew finished a strong individual game with a 65th-minute try after gaining 180 metres.
Trey Mooney picked up a sin-binning later in the half. Luke Hanson capped the night with a debut try in the closing seconds.
Newcastle’s issues and lineup changes
The Knights were undermanned. First-choice fullback Kalyn Ponga missed the match with a hamstring injury.
The club also lacked key halves Fletcher Sharpe and Dylan Brown, both sidelined with knee problems. Sharpe was an option but was rested for the game.
Newcastle made 15 errors and struggled to find rhythm. Tyson Gamble filled the five-eighth role, handled kicking duties and supplied a try assist.
Replacement halfback Sandon Smith managed 23 metres and produced three tackle busts, but the Knights could not recover.
Significance
Ford and Boyd shone as the Warriors remained unbeaten in Newcastle. The result underlines the Warriors’ strong early-season form.
Report by Filmogaz.com.
