A moment of madness has left a big mark – metaphorically and literally – on Sunday’s elimination final between the Knights and Raiders in Canberra.
In what has been dubbed as one of the greatest finals contest ever, the Knights got the chocolates in a stunning contest that went into two overtime periods.
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In the end it was Kalyn Ponga who slotted the decisive points after a penalty with a tick under 90 seconds to play.
Despite the enthralling battle that played out, it was Jack Wighton’s moment of madness that overshadowed the match.
After being tackled by Tyson Gamble, the Raiders player was accused of sinking his teeth into the forearm of his opponent.
Gamble showed off the marks to the officials but after a lengthy delay, Wighton was allowed to stay on the field but was placed on report.
The win means the Knights will now travel across the ditch for a showdown with the New Zealand Warriors next Saturday afternoon (AEST).
Semi-final 1: Storm vs Roosters @ AAMI Park, Friday, September 15, 7.50pm (EST)
Semi-final 2: Warriors vs Knights @ GO Media Stadium, Saturday, September 16, 6.05pm (4.05pm EST)
Recap all the action from the thrilling contest below.
6.25pm – Newcastle just hang on in a classic
The extra-time period was incredibly tight, in keeping with this epic clash, before the Knights finally got a chance for points on the board and that man Wighton was involved again.
Kalyn Ponga was trying to find space to set up a field goal, when he instead ran to the right and was on the end of a high shot from Wighton that may also see him in hot water after his earlier bite allegation.
But the points came another way, Raiders second-rower Hudson Young ruled offside, gifting the Knights a penalty and Ponga the chance to put his side back in front.
He duly kicked the goal and the Knights played out the final 90 seconds to secure a famous 30-28 triumph and a clash with the Warriors next week.
Veteran journalist Buzz Rothfield quickly called it “one of the greatest finals” he had ever seen.
6pm – Heading for extra-time!
The Knights had all the momentum after the Wighton biting incident and seemed certain to stay alive in this year’s finals race.
Ricky Stuart’s men appear to have embraced their underdog status, however, and fought their way back into the match.
Tries in the 64th and 77th minutes and a couple of Jamal Fogarty conversions allowed the visitors to lock the game up at 28-28.
Both sides survived the frantic final seconds, so we’re off to extra-time to separate the teams.
5.20pm – Jack Wighton in all sorts of trouble
The Knights were trying to get back into the match in the second half when a stunning development took place in the seventh minute.
Canberra centre Jack Wighton ran the ball from his own 10 metre line when he was tackled by three Knights, including five-eighth Tyson Gamble.
The first person to spot the incident was Steve Roach in commentary.
“Gamble is saying he’s been bitten here,” Roach said immediately after the tackle.
“This would be stunning. This is incredible,” Warren Smith said. “Tyson Gamble alleging he’s been bitten here by Jack Wighton.
“There was a mark on the arm of Tyson Gamble. Given what we’ve just seen, it doesn’t look terrific for Jack Wighton.”
There was a delay in play while officials tried to get on top of the incident.
Asked directly by referee Ashley Klein if there was a bite, Gamble replied: “There’s a bite. He bit me.”
Wighton is also seen asking “what else am I meant to do?”
We’d say there were a fair few other options, Jack.
While most seemed adamant the allegation was correct, Roach continued to sow seeds of doubt.
“He had his arm in his mouth there. I don’t know if he’s chomped down there,” the former Tigers prop said.
“Has he chomped down there? I don’t think so. He’s got his arm right around his mouth.”
The Knights then scored a try right after the resumption of play. Has Wighton’s brain explosion just cost his team its season?
4.45pm AEST – Raiders refuse to follow the script
What an effort so far for the Canberra club!
Firstly, Kalyn Ponga appeared to cop a knee to the top of his head trying to keep a grubber in the field of play in a worrying moment.
He played on and was ruled tackled in goal and from the resulting short drop out, the Raiders quickly beat a couple of tackles and Trey Mooney crossed for the Raiders’ second try of the first half.
The Raiders, who earlier couldn’t capitalise on a glut of goal-line possession, lead 10-6 late in the opening half.
“I think it happened too early and too easy for Newcastle,” Greg Alexander said in commentary.
“It was regulation stuff … and just a little bit easy. They took their foot off Newcastle and Canberra were ready to pounce and they have.”
“It’s unravelling for (the Knights) at the moment,” Wayne Smith added.
And the Raiders weren’t done yet. Jack Wighton put James Schiller into space on the left wing and he got the ball down for his second try of the half.
The home fans were in shock as the Raiders take a 16-6 lead into the break.
4.20pm AEST – Raiders suffer huge injury blow early
Already considered rank underdogs in this match, Canberra needed all the help it could get in Newcastle.
It didn’t get it with young lock Hohepa Puru knocked out in the opening four minutes of the match after a heavy tackle.
“He’ll be in all sorts of problems,” Steve Roach said in commentary. “Will be surprised if he takes any further part in the game.”
Roach was correct. Head injury assessments can be notoriously slow, but Puru was immediately ruled out or the remainder of the contest.
In his debut season, 21-year-old Puru was playing just his third match on Sunday.
4pm AEST – Returning skipper will be well below his best
Kalyn Ponga has been the key element in Newcastle’s outstanding form over the back half of the season.
But he comes into this match under a huge cloud.
Ponga hurt an AC joint in his shoulder in the round 26 win over Cronulla, forcing him to miss the following week’s clash with the Dragons.
He barely participated in training this week and coach Adam O’Brien conceded pre-match he will need painkilling assistance to get through the match.
“Look we’re fortunate he got through the week without any assistance, which he will receive today, so that’s a good sign,” O’Brien told Fox League.
“He didn’t make a lot of contact during the week, but we’ll save that for today.
“He’ll get some pain assistance and he’ll crack on.”
Former Tigers prop Steve Roach flagged the type of treatment Ponga can expect in the game.
“Make no mistake, and I don’t condone violence, but they’re going to go after Ponga here this afternoon,” Roach said.
“There’ll be some early high balls and his shoulder will be put to the test.”
3.30pm AEST – Former NRL player’s blunt two-word Canberra assessment
Considering the contrasting form of these teams coming into it, most are predicting a comfortable Newcastle victory on home soil.
Former Eels and Manly second-rower Justin Horo took that a step further when he was asked if the Raiders had any hope on Sunday.
“Nah. No hope sorry Jimmy and for the Raiders fans,” he said on SEN radio.
“I think the Knights are humming, I think Kalyn will be OK. Little bump to the shoulder
“I think the Knights are travelling, arguably top three team in the competition with regard to form.
“I think they’ll deal with Canberra Raiders, who will put up a fight to begin with … and then the Knights will kick away in the second half.
“I’m on the Knights, I think they win and they win well.”