Knights lose $2.7m of star power but still pile points and pressure on Manly

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Newcastle lost $2.7 million in playmaking talent in less than 10 minutes when Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Brown went down injured in an otherwise stirring 36-16 win over Manly, who were booed by sections of their own fans Brookvale Oval.

The Knights’ two highest-paid players cut the Sea Eagles to ribbons early before being cut down themselves with respective hamstring and knee ligament issues, Ponga while scoring a try and Brown while setting up another against a thoroughly disappointing Manly outfit.

Ponga’s estimated $1.4 million salary and the $1.3 million Newcastle have outlaid for Brown in each season of an eye-watering 10-year deal means the Knights’ campaign effectively hinges on upcoming scan results.

Ponga first grabbed at his right hamstring after finishing off a long-range try set up by Bradman Best, and initially tried to play through the issue.

But he only lasted one more set, pulling up short and swearing after a couple of passes went awry and left him in pain, finishing his day after just 28 minutes.

The Knights led 18-10 at the time, but any thought of Manly capitalising was doused eight minutes later by their other million-dollar man Brown.

Dylan Brown injured his knee during Newcastle’s round two clash with Manly.

The Kiwi star stayed down in an awkward tackle by Tom Trbojevic, who couldn’t prevent Brown’s pass sending Fletcher Hunt over.

Brown battled through a left knee issue and repeatedly signalled to the bench that he wanted to come off, only to be urged to push through the final two minutes of the half until he could be properly assessed.

Meantime, Tyson Frizell crossed from a bomb spilled by Trbojevic, with Ponga on his feet and cheering on the sideline, ice on his hamstring and all.

With Newcastle holding a 30-10 lead at the break, Brown stayed in the sheds with a suspected MCL injury, which depending on severity, can sideline a player for 4-6 weeks.

Kalyn Ponga suffered a hamstring injury.

The Sea Eagles struck immediately against the makeshift Knights, with Haumole Olakaua’atu barging over from a Trbojevic offload.

But the rickety Manly defence that leaked five first-half tries was no better upon the resumption, especially with Luke Brooks dropping his second kick-off of the afternoon.

Dominic Young had his second try, and Newcastle a 34-16 lead, soon enough.

But with Phoenix Crossland shifting to first receiver, Hunt at fullback and former Dolphin Harrison Graham at hooker, the Knights’ playmaking spine was all over the shop and their bench rotations left in a similar state.

In picturesque autumn sunshine and with points aplenty to match, Manly had ample time to reel in Newcastle’s lead. With strike weapons Trbojevic, Tolu Koula and Olakau’atu, they had the players to do it too.

But repeated handling errors – the Sea Eagles made 15 mistakes in all – meant they had no right to. Particularly when Lehi Hopoate spilled a simple pass from Brooks coming off his own tryline.

A scrum penalty soon after had Sandon Smith nudging Newcastle’s advantage beyond three converted tries, with Manly fans making an early exit soon after.

When Reuben Garrick made a long 74th-minute break and was eventually rounded up by Young, he played the ball to no-one. His teammates couldn’t keep up, and it summed the day up neatly.

For all of Newcastle’s nerves around their biggest and best-paid names, new coach Justin Holbrook has guided them to a 2-0 start, while the Sea Eagles are winless from two home games under Anthony Seibold.

The Knights will be sweating injury verdicts. But Manly’s early rut only intensifies the spotlight and pressure on their coach.