Oakfield Pluto primed to stamp class on debut at Taree
Oakfield Pluto races in the colours of successful owner and breeder Bruce Mackenzie, who has been enjoying a good run of success with his runners in recent times.
Oakfield Pluto is a three-year-old gelding by Exceedance and out of the well-performed mare Amberino, which was trained in Victoria and won the group 2 Emancipation Stakes at Randwick back in 2009.
'He's a nicely bred horse, and he's shown us a bit on the track and in his trials,' Lees said of Oakfield Pluto.
'We've given him the two trials, and he ran third in the first of them at Scone back in February. He had a break after that and came back with a second in his most recent trial on the Beaumont when he went down narrowly.
'He's drawn ideally in barrier two at Taree and all things point to him running very well on debut.'
Bullock has his usual strong book of rides at Taree and will also partner the Mackenzie-owned Oakfield Echidna, which runs in the TAB Venue Mode Benchmark 58 Handicap (1614m) for trainer Damien Lane.
Oakfield Echidna resumed from a spell with a Muswellbrook win at $31 and backed that up with a last-start second at Hawkesbury when running home well at odds of $61.
Bullock starts the day with the ride on early TAB Fixed Odds favourite Blue Kingdom for trainer Lou Mary in the Racing Mates Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1262m).
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'Won't make excuses': Knights coach backs controversial obstruction call
Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien said he had no issue with dual controversial calls which led to a crucial try in Sunday's 44-18 loss to Canberra, agreeing with the video referee that lock Phoenix Crossland wasn't obstructed from making a tackle. Placed third-last, Newcastle entered the second half at Canberra Stadium with a genuine chance of claiming an unlikely victory over the NRL leaders after going try-for-try with the home side in an entertaining opening 40 minutes. Rookie Knights back Fletcher Hunt scored an intercept try seconds before half-time to help level the scores at 18-all after earlier four-pointers from Kai Pearce-Paul and Greg Marzhew. But six minutes after the break, the Raiders were awarded a try after Tom Starling raced over from close range, despite running behind one of his teammates which appeared to prevent Crossland from making a tackle. There was also a dubious decision in the lead-up play, when Xavier Savage passed the ball off the ground despite commentators saying he had been tackled. "I agreed with the Bunker on all of that," O'Brien said. "I reckon we stopped. Phoenix should have kept moving, and I thought the Bunker explained it that way. "I won't make excuses for our guys." Starling's effort was one of four unanswered tries the Raiders scored in the second half, the second of which O'Brien did have an issue with. The home side added 14 points from two converted tries and a penalty goal in the first 15 minutes after the break to take a 32-18 lead, which Newcastle never looked like running down. "I thought in the first half, not everything went to plan but we showed a heap of resolve," O'Brien said. "Not much was fazing us, we stayed in the hunt picking up that try at the back end of the half, and I actually thought the first probably five to 10 minutes of the second half, in terms of field position, it was the best we'd done for a while. "That try where there was some conjecture about us stopping - which I tend to agree with, we stopped on the last play there ... that deflated us a bit. "We've got to be able to overcome that, and we have to own it. "We had four tries on last-plays, and the thing about last-plays is they mask a lot of good things you do in a set, but at the end of the day they're six points. "We had 24 points on last-plays. It's something we have to own and get better at." The result left Newcastle placed 15th, or third-last, ahead of a bye next week before their remaining five games. They will have little to play for other than pride. Coming off a last-minute loss to the Warriors last week, the Knights did well to match it with the high-flying Raiders for 50-odd minutes. Canberra have now won nine consecutive games. Missing several high-profile players including skipper Kalyn Ponga and centre Bradman Best, Newcastle played an expansive style early on and it paid dividends. But in front of more than 11,000 fans, Canberra ultimately proved too strong, moving a step closer to their first minor premiership since 1990. They showed all their class by scoring multiple tries from largely nothing, and had Newcastle in all sorts in the second half when Jamal Fogarty started launching bombs that flew halfway up Telstra Tower. Controversial calls aside, Newcastle were let down by some costly mistakes and defensive lapses, including in the first half when former Knight Simi Sasagi cut through Tyson Gamble and Kyle McCarthy like a hot knife through butter. After their 13th loss in 19 games, Newcastle are now level on 16 competition points with 16th-placed Gold Coast and last-placed South Sydney. Only a far superior for-and-against record is keeping them placed higher. A bye will hand the Knights a further two points, but when they return to face Penrith at home on Friday week, they will be a real chance of falling to last on the NRL ladder. That would be a disastrous outcome, even more so considering the form of some of the other sides this year, but O'Brien said his team "wouldn't lay down" on the run home. "They haven't done it all year, and they won't do it for the rest of the year," he said. "I'm proud of that. There's still fight in us." Newcastle's faint finals hopes have been incinerated by the red-hot Raiders on a cold and miserable afternoon in Canberra, the NRL front-runners extending their winning streak to nine consecutive games with a 44-18 victory on Sunday. Still a mathematical chance for an unlikely play-offs spot, Newcastle had plenty to play for against the competition leaders and they produced another brave display at GIO Stadium. Undermanned and coming off a last-minute loss to the Warriors last week, the Knights played an expansive style early and went try-for-try with the home side in front of 11,068 fans. After tries from Kai Pearce-Paul and Greg Marzhew midway through the opening 40 minutes, Fletcher Hunt's intercept effort seconds before half-time helped Newcastle draw level at 18-all. The Raiders looked vulnerable heading into the second half, but Newcastle fell 32-18 behind inside 20 minutes after the break following a string of costly mistakes and questionable calls. They fought on gallantly despite the deficit but it was the Green Machine's day. The loss, Newcastle's 13th in 19 games this season, leaves them third-last, or 15th, ahead of a bye next week and their remaining five games. But worryingly, they will be a chance of falling to dead last when they return to face Penrith at home on Friday week. Newcastle are level on points with the Gold Coast (16th) and South Sydney (17th) but only placed higher than them thanks to a better for-and-against record. The Raiders, meanwhile, continue their march towards the finals. Scoring their ninth-straight win, they are on track to claim their first minor premiership since 1990. In what was a sign of the high-scoring contest to come, the Raiders had the first real attacking chance of the game when Corey Horsbrugh charged down a Tyson Gamble kick and ran 40-odd metres, only to be brought down by the Knights playmaker. Dane Gagai stole the ball back from the Knights after Horsbrugh played the ball to no one, but his efforts were of little advantage as the Raiders scored a few minutes later through fullback Kaeo Weekes, who finished off a break down the left edge. The Knights hit back via Pearce-Paul in the 18th minute, the back-rower running onto an offload from prop Leo Thompson who had found space a few metres away from the try-line. Seven minutes later, former Knight Simi Sasagi cut through Newcastle's defence like a hot knife through butter, splitting Gamble and centre Kyle McCarthy with ease on a scrum-play. Trailing 12-6, Newcastle blew a golden chance to hit back when they had an overlap on the left edge a few minutes later, but the play went dead after Gagai threw a cut-out pass to Marzhew and the winger tried to get the ball away before being taken out. Newcastle did well to then force repeat goal-line dropouts, the first of which the Raiders kicked almost 80 metres, but they again blew their opportunity when prop Jack Hetherington was pinned for playing the ball sideways. A Raiders error in the next set gave the Knights possession again, and this time Gagai hit an unmarked Marzhew to bag Newcastle's second. The fullback then converted to make it 12-all five minutes out from half-time. But three minutes later, Canberra showed why they are such a dangerous side, creating something out of nothing down the right flank for Xavier Savage to grab another four-pointer. Canberra looked sure to carry an 18-12 lead into the break but a play after the restart, Hunt snatched an intercept to cross for a shock try on the stroke of half-time, helping Newcastle draw level once more. Six minutes into the second half, the Raiders were awarded a controversial try after hooker Tom Starling raced over from close range, despite Sasagi appearing to obstruct a Knights defender. The video referee also reviewed the lead-up play, where Weekes appeared to have been tackled from a kick but passed the ball off the ground. A looping cut-out pass from Gamble put Dom Young away on the right flank a few minutes later, but the winger was put over the sideline by Raiders half Ethan Strange, who was penalised for a shoulder charge. Newcastle lost the ball in the next set and the Raiders powered downfield for Matthew Timoko to score a 55th-minute try on the right edge. A Jamal Fogharty bomb that looked to fly halfway up Telstra Tower completely bamboozled Gagai at the end of the following set of six, the Knights fullback knocking on before the Raiders gained an offside penalty and took a kick at goal to take a 32-18 lead. Young forward Noah Martin scored his first NRL try in the 67th minute to further the advantage before Timoko crossed for his second five minutes later. Savage was denied a try in the final minute after being found offside from a kick. Young Knights flyer Wilson De Courcey has given NRL coach Adam O'Brien food for thought, bagging his fifth double this season in a NSW Cup loss to the Raiders on Sunday. The 19-year-old winger crossed either side of half-time at Canberra Stadium to help Newcastle stay in the fight, but the Raiders got the upper hand of a tight tussle to claim a 28-16 win. De Courcey's two tries in the nation's capital took his individual haul to 14 in 12 NSW Cup games this year. He has twice bagged doubles previously, along with a hat-trick and a staggering four tries in one game in a 28-24 loss to Parramatta in round 16. His try-scoring form will surely have caught the eye of O'Brien, and could be something for the coach to consider given Newcastle's NRL side is now out of finals contention. The Knights' preferred wingers are Dom Young and Greg Marzhew, and there are other outside-backs likely ahead of De Courcey in the pecking order. But if there are injuries in Newcastle's last five games this year, uncapped De Courcey could come into consideration for a debut. The former Penrith Panthers junior is slated to enter Newcastle's top-30 NRL roster next season. Newcastle host Penrith on Friday week following a bye next weekend. Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien said he had no issue with dual controversial calls which led to a crucial try in Sunday's 44-18 loss to Canberra, agreeing with the video referee that lock Phoenix Crossland wasn't obstructed from making a tackle. Placed third-last, Newcastle entered the second half at Canberra Stadium with a genuine chance of claiming an unlikely victory over the NRL leaders after going try-for-try with the home side in an entertaining opening 40 minutes. Rookie Knights back Fletcher Hunt scored an intercept try seconds before half-time to help level the scores at 18-all after earlier four-pointers from Kai Pearce-Paul and Greg Marzhew. But six minutes after the break, the Raiders were awarded a try after Tom Starling raced over from close range, despite running behind one of his teammates which appeared to prevent Crossland from making a tackle. There was also a dubious decision in the lead-up play, when Xavier Savage passed the ball off the ground despite commentators saying he had been tackled. "I agreed with the Bunker on all of that," O'Brien said. "I reckon we stopped. Phoenix should have kept moving, and I thought the Bunker explained it that way. "I won't make excuses for our guys." Starling's effort was one of four unanswered tries the Raiders scored in the second half, the second of which O'Brien did have an issue with. The home side added 14 points from two converted tries and a penalty goal in the first 15 minutes after the break to take a 32-18 lead, which Newcastle never looked like running down. "I thought in the first half, not everything went to plan but we showed a heap of resolve," O'Brien said. "Not much was fazing us, we stayed in the hunt picking up that try at the back end of the half, and I actually thought the first probably five to 10 minutes of the second half, in terms of field position, it was the best we'd done for a while. "That try where there was some conjecture about us stopping - which I tend to agree with, we stopped on the last play there ... that deflated us a bit. "We've got to be able to overcome that, and we have to own it. "We had four tries on last-plays, and the thing about last-plays is they mask a lot of good things you do in a set, but at the end of the day they're six points. "We had 24 points on last-plays. It's something we have to own and get better at." The result left Newcastle placed 15th, or third-last, ahead of a bye next week before their remaining five games. They will have little to play for other than pride. Coming off a last-minute loss to the Warriors last week, the Knights did well to match it with the high-flying Raiders for 50-odd minutes. Canberra have now won nine consecutive games. Missing several high-profile players including skipper Kalyn Ponga and centre Bradman Best, Newcastle played an expansive style early on and it paid dividends. But in front of more than 11,000 fans, Canberra ultimately proved too strong, moving a step closer to their first minor premiership since 1990. They showed all their class by scoring multiple tries from largely nothing, and had Newcastle in all sorts in the second half when Jamal Fogarty started launching bombs that flew halfway up Telstra Tower. Controversial calls aside, Newcastle were let down by some costly mistakes and defensive lapses, including in the first half when former Knight Simi Sasagi cut through Tyson Gamble and Kyle McCarthy like a hot knife through butter. After their 13th loss in 19 games, Newcastle are now level on 16 competition points with 16th-placed Gold Coast and last-placed South Sydney. Only a far superior for-and-against record is keeping them placed higher. A bye will hand the Knights a further two points, but when they return to face Penrith at home on Friday week, they will be a real chance of falling to last on the NRL ladder. That would be a disastrous outcome, even more so considering the form of some of the other sides this year, but O'Brien said his team "wouldn't lay down" on the run home. "They haven't done it all year, and they won't do it for the rest of the year," he said. "I'm proud of that. There's still fight in us." Newcastle's faint finals hopes have been incinerated by the red-hot Raiders on a cold and miserable afternoon in Canberra, the NRL front-runners extending their winning streak to nine consecutive games with a 44-18 victory on Sunday. Still a mathematical chance for an unlikely play-offs spot, Newcastle had plenty to play for against the competition leaders and they produced another brave display at GIO Stadium. Undermanned and coming off a last-minute loss to the Warriors last week, the Knights played an expansive style early and went try-for-try with the home side in front of 11,068 fans. After tries from Kai Pearce-Paul and Greg Marzhew midway through the opening 40 minutes, Fletcher Hunt's intercept effort seconds before half-time helped Newcastle draw level at 18-all. The Raiders looked vulnerable heading into the second half, but Newcastle fell 32-18 behind inside 20 minutes after the break following a string of costly mistakes and questionable calls. They fought on gallantly despite the deficit but it was the Green Machine's day. The loss, Newcastle's 13th in 19 games this season, leaves them third-last, or 15th, ahead of a bye next week and their remaining five games. But worryingly, they will be a chance of falling to dead last when they return to face Penrith at home on Friday week. Newcastle are level on points with the Gold Coast (16th) and South Sydney (17th) but only placed higher than them thanks to a better for-and-against record. The Raiders, meanwhile, continue their march towards the finals. Scoring their ninth-straight win, they are on track to claim their first minor premiership since 1990. In what was a sign of the high-scoring contest to come, the Raiders had the first real attacking chance of the game when Corey Horsbrugh charged down a Tyson Gamble kick and ran 40-odd metres, only to be brought down by the Knights playmaker. Dane Gagai stole the ball back from the Knights after Horsbrugh played the ball to no one, but his efforts were of little advantage as the Raiders scored a few minutes later through fullback Kaeo Weekes, who finished off a break down the left edge. The Knights hit back via Pearce-Paul in the 18th minute, the back-rower running onto an offload from prop Leo Thompson who had found space a few metres away from the try-line. Seven minutes later, former Knight Simi Sasagi cut through Newcastle's defence like a hot knife through butter, splitting Gamble and centre Kyle McCarthy with ease on a scrum-play. Trailing 12-6, Newcastle blew a golden chance to hit back when they had an overlap on the left edge a few minutes later, but the play went dead after Gagai threw a cut-out pass to Marzhew and the winger tried to get the ball away before being taken out. Newcastle did well to then force repeat goal-line dropouts, the first of which the Raiders kicked almost 80 metres, but they again blew their opportunity when prop Jack Hetherington was pinned for playing the ball sideways. A Raiders error in the next set gave the Knights possession again, and this time Gagai hit an unmarked Marzhew to bag Newcastle's second. The fullback then converted to make it 12-all five minutes out from half-time. But three minutes later, Canberra showed why they are such a dangerous side, creating something out of nothing down the right flank for Xavier Savage to grab another four-pointer. Canberra looked sure to carry an 18-12 lead into the break but a play after the restart, Hunt snatched an intercept to cross for a shock try on the stroke of half-time, helping Newcastle draw level once more. Six minutes into the second half, the Raiders were awarded a controversial try after hooker Tom Starling raced over from close range, despite Sasagi appearing to obstruct a Knights defender. The video referee also reviewed the lead-up play, where Weekes appeared to have been tackled from a kick but passed the ball off the ground. A looping cut-out pass from Gamble put Dom Young away on the right flank a few minutes later, but the winger was put over the sideline by Raiders half Ethan Strange, who was penalised for a shoulder charge. Newcastle lost the ball in the next set and the Raiders powered downfield for Matthew Timoko to score a 55th-minute try on the right edge. A Jamal Fogharty bomb that looked to fly halfway up Telstra Tower completely bamboozled Gagai at the end of the following set of six, the Knights fullback knocking on before the Raiders gained an offside penalty and took a kick at goal to take a 32-18 lead. Young forward Noah Martin scored his first NRL try in the 67th minute to further the advantage before Timoko crossed for his second five minutes later. Savage was denied a try in the final minute after being found offside from a kick. Young Knights flyer Wilson De Courcey has given NRL coach Adam O'Brien food for thought, bagging his fifth double this season in a NSW Cup loss to the Raiders on Sunday. The 19-year-old winger crossed either side of half-time at Canberra Stadium to help Newcastle stay in the fight, but the Raiders got the upper hand of a tight tussle to claim a 28-16 win. De Courcey's two tries in the nation's capital took his individual haul to 14 in 12 NSW Cup games this year. He has twice bagged doubles previously, along with a hat-trick and a staggering four tries in one game in a 28-24 loss to Parramatta in round 16. His try-scoring form will surely have caught the eye of O'Brien, and could be something for the coach to consider given Newcastle's NRL side is now out of finals contention. The Knights' preferred wingers are Dom Young and Greg Marzhew, and there are other outside-backs likely ahead of De Courcey in the pecking order. But if there are injuries in Newcastle's last five games this year, uncapped De Courcey could come into consideration for a debut. The former Penrith Panthers junior is slated to enter Newcastle's top-30 NRL roster next season. Newcastle host Penrith on Friday week following a bye next weekend. Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien said he had no issue with dual controversial calls which led to a crucial try in Sunday's 44-18 loss to Canberra, agreeing with the video referee that lock Phoenix Crossland wasn't obstructed from making a tackle. Placed third-last, Newcastle entered the second half at Canberra Stadium with a genuine chance of claiming an unlikely victory over the NRL leaders after going try-for-try with the home side in an entertaining opening 40 minutes. Rookie Knights back Fletcher Hunt scored an intercept try seconds before half-time to help level the scores at 18-all after earlier four-pointers from Kai Pearce-Paul and Greg Marzhew. But six minutes after the break, the Raiders were awarded a try after Tom Starling raced over from close range, despite running behind one of his teammates which appeared to prevent Crossland from making a tackle. There was also a dubious decision in the lead-up play, when Xavier Savage passed the ball off the ground despite commentators saying he had been tackled. "I agreed with the Bunker on all of that," O'Brien said. "I reckon we stopped. Phoenix should have kept moving, and I thought the Bunker explained it that way. "I won't make excuses for our guys." Starling's effort was one of four unanswered tries the Raiders scored in the second half, the second of which O'Brien did have an issue with. The home side added 14 points from two converted tries and a penalty goal in the first 15 minutes after the break to take a 32-18 lead, which Newcastle never looked like running down. "I thought in the first half, not everything went to plan but we showed a heap of resolve," O'Brien said. "Not much was fazing us, we stayed in the hunt picking up that try at the back end of the half, and I actually thought the first probably five to 10 minutes of the second half, in terms of field position, it was the best we'd done for a while. "That try where there was some conjecture about us stopping - which I tend to agree with, we stopped on the last play there ... that deflated us a bit. "We've got to be able to overcome that, and we have to own it. "We had four tries on last-plays, and the thing about last-plays is they mask a lot of good things you do in a set, but at the end of the day they're six points. "We had 24 points on last-plays. It's something we have to own and get better at." The result left Newcastle placed 15th, or third-last, ahead of a bye next week before their remaining five games. They will have little to play for other than pride. Coming off a last-minute loss to the Warriors last week, the Knights did well to match it with the high-flying Raiders for 50-odd minutes. Canberra have now won nine consecutive games. Missing several high-profile players including skipper Kalyn Ponga and centre Bradman Best, Newcastle played an expansive style early on and it paid dividends. But in front of more than 11,000 fans, Canberra ultimately proved too strong, moving a step closer to their first minor premiership since 1990. They showed all their class by scoring multiple tries from largely nothing, and had Newcastle in all sorts in the second half when Jamal Fogarty started launching bombs that flew halfway up Telstra Tower. Controversial calls aside, Newcastle were let down by some costly mistakes and defensive lapses, including in the first half when former Knight Simi Sasagi cut through Tyson Gamble and Kyle McCarthy like a hot knife through butter. After their 13th loss in 19 games, Newcastle are now level on 16 competition points with 16th-placed Gold Coast and last-placed South Sydney. Only a far superior for-and-against record is keeping them placed higher. A bye will hand the Knights a further two points, but when they return to face Penrith at home on Friday week, they will be a real chance of falling to last on the NRL ladder. That would be a disastrous outcome, even more so considering the form of some of the other sides this year, but O'Brien said his team "wouldn't lay down" on the run home. "They haven't done it all year, and they won't do it for the rest of the year," he said. "I'm proud of that. There's still fight in us." Newcastle's faint finals hopes have been incinerated by the red-hot Raiders on a cold and miserable afternoon in Canberra, the NRL front-runners extending their winning streak to nine consecutive games with a 44-18 victory on Sunday. Still a mathematical chance for an unlikely play-offs spot, Newcastle had plenty to play for against the competition leaders and they produced another brave display at GIO Stadium. Undermanned and coming off a last-minute loss to the Warriors last week, the Knights played an expansive style early and went try-for-try with the home side in front of 11,068 fans. After tries from Kai Pearce-Paul and Greg Marzhew midway through the opening 40 minutes, Fletcher Hunt's intercept effort seconds before half-time helped Newcastle draw level at 18-all. The Raiders looked vulnerable heading into the second half, but Newcastle fell 32-18 behind inside 20 minutes after the break following a string of costly mistakes and questionable calls. They fought on gallantly despite the deficit but it was the Green Machine's day. The loss, Newcastle's 13th in 19 games this season, leaves them third-last, or 15th, ahead of a bye next week and their remaining five games. But worryingly, they will be a chance of falling to dead last when they return to face Penrith at home on Friday week. Newcastle are level on points with the Gold Coast (16th) and South Sydney (17th) but only placed higher than them thanks to a better for-and-against record. The Raiders, meanwhile, continue their march towards the finals. Scoring their ninth-straight win, they are on track to claim their first minor premiership since 1990. In what was a sign of the high-scoring contest to come, the Raiders had the first real attacking chance of the game when Corey Horsbrugh charged down a Tyson Gamble kick and ran 40-odd metres, only to be brought down by the Knights playmaker. Dane Gagai stole the ball back from the Knights after Horsbrugh played the ball to no one, but his efforts were of little advantage as the Raiders scored a few minutes later through fullback Kaeo Weekes, who finished off a break down the left edge. The Knights hit back via Pearce-Paul in the 18th minute, the back-rower running onto an offload from prop Leo Thompson who had found space a few metres away from the try-line. Seven minutes later, former Knight Simi Sasagi cut through Newcastle's defence like a hot knife through butter, splitting Gamble and centre Kyle McCarthy with ease on a scrum-play. Trailing 12-6, Newcastle blew a golden chance to hit back when they had an overlap on the left edge a few minutes later, but the play went dead after Gagai threw a cut-out pass to Marzhew and the winger tried to get the ball away before being taken out. Newcastle did well to then force repeat goal-line dropouts, the first of which the Raiders kicked almost 80 metres, but they again blew their opportunity when prop Jack Hetherington was pinned for playing the ball sideways. A Raiders error in the next set gave the Knights possession again, and this time Gagai hit an unmarked Marzhew to bag Newcastle's second. The fullback then converted to make it 12-all five minutes out from half-time. But three minutes later, Canberra showed why they are such a dangerous side, creating something out of nothing down the right flank for Xavier Savage to grab another four-pointer. Canberra looked sure to carry an 18-12 lead into the break but a play after the restart, Hunt snatched an intercept to cross for a shock try on the stroke of half-time, helping Newcastle draw level once more. Six minutes into the second half, the Raiders were awarded a controversial try after hooker Tom Starling raced over from close range, despite Sasagi appearing to obstruct a Knights defender. The video referee also reviewed the lead-up play, where Weekes appeared to have been tackled from a kick but passed the ball off the ground. A looping cut-out pass from Gamble put Dom Young away on the right flank a few minutes later, but the winger was put over the sideline by Raiders half Ethan Strange, who was penalised for a shoulder charge. Newcastle lost the ball in the next set and the Raiders powered downfield for Matthew Timoko to score a 55th-minute try on the right edge. A Jamal Fogharty bomb that looked to fly halfway up Telstra Tower completely bamboozled Gagai at the end of the following set of six, the Knights fullback knocking on before the Raiders gained an offside penalty and took a kick at goal to take a 32-18 lead. Young forward Noah Martin scored his first NRL try in the 67th minute to further the advantage before Timoko crossed for his second five minutes later. Savage was denied a try in the final minute after being found offside from a kick. Young Knights flyer Wilson De Courcey has given NRL coach Adam O'Brien food for thought, bagging his fifth double this season in a NSW Cup loss to the Raiders on Sunday. The 19-year-old winger crossed either side of half-time at Canberra Stadium to help Newcastle stay in the fight, but the Raiders got the upper hand of a tight tussle to claim a 28-16 win. De Courcey's two tries in the nation's capital took his individual haul to 14 in 12 NSW Cup games this year. He has twice bagged doubles previously, along with a hat-trick and a staggering four tries in one game in a 28-24 loss to Parramatta in round 16. His try-scoring form will surely have caught the eye of O'Brien, and could be something for the coach to consider given Newcastle's NRL side is now out of finals contention. The Knights' preferred wingers are Dom Young and Greg Marzhew, and there are other outside-backs likely ahead of De Courcey in the pecking order. But if there are injuries in Newcastle's last five games this year, uncapped De Courcey could come into consideration for a debut. The former Penrith Panthers junior is slated to enter Newcastle's top-30 NRL roster next season. Newcastle host Penrith on Friday week following a bye next weekend. Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien said he had no issue with dual controversial calls which led to a crucial try in Sunday's 44-18 loss to Canberra, agreeing with the video referee that lock Phoenix Crossland wasn't obstructed from making a tackle. Placed third-last, Newcastle entered the second half at Canberra Stadium with a genuine chance of claiming an unlikely victory over the NRL leaders after going try-for-try with the home side in an entertaining opening 40 minutes. Rookie Knights back Fletcher Hunt scored an intercept try seconds before half-time to help level the scores at 18-all after earlier four-pointers from Kai Pearce-Paul and Greg Marzhew. But six minutes after the break, the Raiders were awarded a try after Tom Starling raced over from close range, despite running behind one of his teammates which appeared to prevent Crossland from making a tackle. There was also a dubious decision in the lead-up play, when Xavier Savage passed the ball off the ground despite commentators saying he had been tackled. "I agreed with the Bunker on all of that," O'Brien said. "I reckon we stopped. Phoenix should have kept moving, and I thought the Bunker explained it that way. "I won't make excuses for our guys." Starling's effort was one of four unanswered tries the Raiders scored in the second half, the second of which O'Brien did have an issue with. The home side added 14 points from two converted tries and a penalty goal in the first 15 minutes after the break to take a 32-18 lead, which Newcastle never looked like running down. "I thought in the first half, not everything went to plan but we showed a heap of resolve," O'Brien said. "Not much was fazing us, we stayed in the hunt picking up that try at the back end of the half, and I actually thought the first probably five to 10 minutes of the second half, in terms of field position, it was the best we'd done for a while. "That try where there was some conjecture about us stopping - which I tend to agree with, we stopped on the last play there ... that deflated us a bit. "We've got to be able to overcome that, and we have to own it. "We had four tries on last-plays, and the thing about last-plays is they mask a lot of good things you do in a set, but at the end of the day they're six points. "We had 24 points on last-plays. It's something we have to own and get better at." The result left Newcastle placed 15th, or third-last, ahead of a bye next week before their remaining five games. They will have little to play for other than pride. Coming off a last-minute loss to the Warriors last week, the Knights did well to match it with the high-flying Raiders for 50-odd minutes. Canberra have now won nine consecutive games. Missing several high-profile players including skipper Kalyn Ponga and centre Bradman Best, Newcastle played an expansive style early on and it paid dividends. But in front of more than 11,000 fans, Canberra ultimately proved too strong, moving a step closer to their first minor premiership since 1990. They showed all their class by scoring multiple tries from largely nothing, and had Newcastle in all sorts in the second half when Jamal Fogarty started launching bombs that flew halfway up Telstra Tower. Controversial calls aside, Newcastle were let down by some costly mistakes and defensive lapses, including in the first half when former Knight Simi Sasagi cut through Tyson Gamble and Kyle McCarthy like a hot knife through butter. After their 13th loss in 19 games, Newcastle are now level on 16 competition points with 16th-placed Gold Coast and last-placed South Sydney. Only a far superior for-and-against record is keeping them placed higher. A bye will hand the Knights a further two points, but when they return to face Penrith at home on Friday week, they will be a real chance of falling to last on the NRL ladder. That would be a disastrous outcome, even more so considering the form of some of the other sides this year, but O'Brien said his team "wouldn't lay down" on the run home. "They haven't done it all year, and they won't do it for the rest of the year," he said. "I'm proud of that. There's still fight in us." Newcastle's faint finals hopes have been incinerated by the red-hot Raiders on a cold and miserable afternoon in Canberra, the NRL front-runners extending their winning streak to nine consecutive games with a 44-18 victory on Sunday. Still a mathematical chance for an unlikely play-offs spot, Newcastle had plenty to play for against the competition leaders and they produced another brave display at GIO Stadium. Undermanned and coming off a last-minute loss to the Warriors last week, the Knights played an expansive style early and went try-for-try with the home side in front of 11,068 fans. After tries from Kai Pearce-Paul and Greg Marzhew midway through the opening 40 minutes, Fletcher Hunt's intercept effort seconds before half-time helped Newcastle draw level at 18-all. The Raiders looked vulnerable heading into the second half, but Newcastle fell 32-18 behind inside 20 minutes after the break following a string of costly mistakes and questionable calls. They fought on gallantly despite the deficit but it was the Green Machine's day. The loss, Newcastle's 13th in 19 games this season, leaves them third-last, or 15th, ahead of a bye next week and their remaining five games. But worryingly, they will be a chance of falling to dead last when they return to face Penrith at home on Friday week. Newcastle are level on points with the Gold Coast (16th) and South Sydney (17th) but only placed higher than them thanks to a better for-and-against record. The Raiders, meanwhile, continue their march towards the finals. Scoring their ninth-straight win, they are on track to claim their first minor premiership since 1990. In what was a sign of the high-scoring contest to come, the Raiders had the first real attacking chance of the game when Corey Horsbrugh charged down a Tyson Gamble kick and ran 40-odd metres, only to be brought down by the Knights playmaker. Dane Gagai stole the ball back from the Knights after Horsbrugh played the ball to no one, but his efforts were of little advantage as the Raiders scored a few minutes later through fullback Kaeo Weekes, who finished off a break down the left edge. The Knights hit back via Pearce-Paul in the 18th minute, the back-rower running onto an offload from prop Leo Thompson who had found space a few metres away from the try-line. Seven minutes later, former Knight Simi Sasagi cut through Newcastle's defence like a hot knife through butter, splitting Gamble and centre Kyle McCarthy with ease on a scrum-play. Trailing 12-6, Newcastle blew a golden chance to hit back when they had an overlap on the left edge a few minutes later, but the play went dead after Gagai threw a cut-out pass to Marzhew and the winger tried to get the ball away before being taken out. Newcastle did well to then force repeat goal-line dropouts, the first of which the Raiders kicked almost 80 metres, but they again blew their opportunity when prop Jack Hetherington was pinned for playing the ball sideways. A Raiders error in the next set gave the Knights possession again, and this time Gagai hit an unmarked Marzhew to bag Newcastle's second. The fullback then converted to make it 12-all five minutes out from half-time. But three minutes later, Canberra showed why they are such a dangerous side, creating something out of nothing down the right flank for Xavier Savage to grab another four-pointer. Canberra looked sure to carry an 18-12 lead into the break but a play after the restart, Hunt snatched an intercept to cross for a shock try on the stroke of half-time, helping Newcastle draw level once more. Six minutes into the second half, the Raiders were awarded a controversial try after hooker Tom Starling raced over from close range, despite Sasagi appearing to obstruct a Knights defender. The video referee also reviewed the lead-up play, where Weekes appeared to have been tackled from a kick but passed the ball off the ground. A looping cut-out pass from Gamble put Dom Young away on the right flank a few minutes later, but the winger was put over the sideline by Raiders half Ethan Strange, who was penalised for a shoulder charge. Newcastle lost the ball in the next set and the Raiders powered downfield for Matthew Timoko to score a 55th-minute try on the right edge. A Jamal Fogharty bomb that looked to fly halfway up Telstra Tower completely bamboozled Gagai at the end of the following set of six, the Knights fullback knocking on before the Raiders gained an offside penalty and took a kick at goal to take a 32-18 lead. Young forward Noah Martin scored his first NRL try in the 67th minute to further the advantage before Timoko crossed for his second five minutes later. Savage was denied a try in the final minute after being found offside from a kick. Young Knights flyer Wilson De Courcey has given NRL coach Adam O'Brien food for thought, bagging his fifth double this season in a NSW Cup loss to the Raiders on Sunday. The 19-year-old winger crossed either side of half-time at Canberra Stadium to help Newcastle stay in the fight, but the Raiders got the upper hand of a tight tussle to claim a 28-16 win. De Courcey's two tries in the nation's capital took his individual haul to 14 in 12 NSW Cup games this year. He has twice bagged doubles previously, along with a hat-trick and a staggering four tries in one game in a 28-24 loss to Parramatta in round 16. His try-scoring form will surely have caught the eye of O'Brien, and could be something for the coach to consider given Newcastle's NRL side is now out of finals contention. The Knights' preferred wingers are Dom Young and Greg Marzhew, and there are other outside-backs likely ahead of De Courcey in the pecking order. But if there are injuries in Newcastle's last five games this year, uncapped De Courcey could come into consideration for a debut. The former Penrith Panthers junior is slated to enter Newcastle's top-30 NRL roster next season. Newcastle host Penrith on Friday week following a bye next weekend.
ABC News
17 hours ago
- ABC News
NRL live updates: Canberra Raiders vs Newcastle Knights, Canterbury Bulldogs vs Manly Sea Eagles
Round 21 of the NRL season continues on Sunday with Canberra hosting Newcastle in the first of two matches this afternoon. The Raiders will be looking to secure their grip on the top spot, while the Knights will try to pull off an upset despite missing a host of stars due to injury. Later, Canterbury will take on Manly at the Sydney Football Stadium in a match that commemorates 30 years since the two sides met in the 1995 grand final. Follow the live blog below, keep up to date with all the latest stats in our ScoreCentre, and tune in to our live radio coverage.
The Age
2 days ago
- The Age
Bullock set for successful day at Muswellbrook
Jockey Aaron Bullock looks set for a big day at Muswellbrook on Sunday with a number of leading contenders set to go around. Bullock has a full book of rides at Muswellbrook, and he can kick of the day with a winner. He starts the day riding Snap Decision for trainer Cody Morgan in the opening event of the day, the County Boosted Maiden Handicap (1280m). He has a number of other leading contenders at the meeting, led by Salvato for Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich in the Muswellbrook Motors 2YO Maiden Handicap (1000m). Cavorting is the ride in the third event for Bullock for trainer Michael Lunn. The former Victorian is set to run well at his first start since joining a new stable. Bullock will be aboard Tough Guy for trainer Melissa Dennett in the Acorp Country Boosted Class 1 Handicap (1000m). The Lyndall Olson-trained Zaru is Bullock's mount in race five at Muswellbrook, on the back of a last start solid placing at Grafton. Bullock will finish off the day with two gun run rides for Messara and Gavranich when Dale and Peninsula contest the last two events of the day. Dale, part owned by Hollywood actor Matt Damon, will line up in the Scone Rural Supplies Benchmark 66 Handicap (1500m).
