The nib Newcastle Knights have gone down 28-12 to the Canberra Raiders at McDonald Jones Stadium on Thursday night.
The Raiders scored five tries to the Knights two to take the points in the opening game of the season.
Head here for all the key stats, line-ups and recap from the opening round match.
Match: Knights v Raiders
Round 1 -
home Team
Knights
14th Position
away Team
Raiders
4th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
HOW IT PLAYED OUT
1st min - The new campaign kicked off in front of 22,378 Members and supporters at the home of the Knights.
Prior to kick-off the Knights and Raiders paid a moments silence to Knights Life Member Leigh Maughan who passed away during the week.
14th min - After a tough back and forth between the sides in the opening minutes, Canberra would post first points with a penalty goal from in front.
17th min - Some brilliant cover defence from Jacob Saifiti prevented Hudson Young from scoring.
Saifiti produced another big tackle with a huge hit on Xavier Savage.
Saifiti rocks Xavier Savage
24th min - The Knights looked to have had the first try after a sensational run from Kalyn Ponga set up Tyson Gamble to run under the posts, but the try was overruled for obstruction.
Spectacular Ponga sets one up but it's called back
Hudson Young was sent to the sin-bin for a late shot on Ponga during the play.
26th min - The Raiders would strike up the other end with forward Zac Hocking rising high to claim the ball and score.
33rd min - Newcastle would crash over for their first try of the season with Tyson Frizell powering through the line.
A short ball from Gamble found a hard running Frizell who couldn't be stopped.
Frizell scores the Knights first of 2024
40th min - The Knights went into the sheds trailing 8-6.
47th min - Canberra had their second try of the night and the first after the break when Danny Levi burrowed over from dummy-half.
63rd min - Xavier Savage scored in the corner to extend the Raiders lead.
69th min - The away side would score a fourth to cement the result with Jordan Rapana scoring in the left corner.
76th min - Jackson Hastings struck late for the red and blue.
Hastings scores a late try
79th min - The Raiders posted a late try to put the score out to 28-12.
WHAT'S NEXT
In Round 2, the Knights will travel north to play the North Queensland Cowboys next Saturday in Townsville.
The Knights will return home in Round 3 for a Sunday afternoon clash against the Melbourne Storm. Get your tickets.
