The Newcastle Knights are hopeful of having star playmaker Dylan Brown back from injury this week, but coach Justin Holbrook said his absence, along with that of captain Kalyn Ponga, was no excuse for Sunday's heavy 42-22 loss to the Wests Tigers at Campbelltown Sports Stadium.
Despite the defeat, the Knights remain fourth on the NRL ladder with four wins and two losses. They now face the eighth-placed Sydney Roosters next Sunday at Allianz Stadium, their first trip there since the venue was rebuilt.
Brown has been sidelined since round two with a medial knee ligament injury, while Ponga is out with a hamstring tear and is at least another two weeks away. Centre Bradman Best is also out with a groin injury for a similar period.
Holbrook acknowledged the quality of the missing players but stressed the team's poor performance against the Tigers. 'We gave them a lot of ball, gave them some soft penalties and they're a good footy side,' he said. 'We have started the season well, but we were well off.'
The Tigers dominated the first half with over 60% possession, leading 28-4 at halftime. Newcastle fought back in the second half, scoring three tries, but never threatened the result. Holbrook praised his team's resilience: 'The boys really dug in there in the second half. It's important how we finish for pride in our jersey.'
The Knights' left-edge defense was exposed, with the Tigers scoring four of their first five tries down that side. Rookie centre Wilson De Courcey was replaced at halftime, but the issues persisted. Holbrook noted the Tigers' offloads and strike players made it difficult to handle.
