Newcastle's chances in the finals are at risk as their key player, Jackson Hastings, might be leaving due to an ankle injury. This injury happened during their big 42-6 victory against Canterbury.
Hastings got hurt during the first half of the game when he was tackled in a way that caused him a lot of pain. He managed to leave the field without help but was visibly limping. He had ice and a special boot on his right foot as he watched the rest of the match.
If Hastings has to be out for a long time, it would be really bad for the Knights. He's the one who helps organize their team's plays. The Knights have been doing really well lately, winning six games in a row. But to make sure they get a spot in the finals – which seemed impossible when they were 14th in the rankings in June – they probably need to win two out of their last three games. Their upcoming matches against strong teams like South Sydney and Cronulla could make a big difference.
The Bulldogs, on the other hand, had a tough time. By half-time, they were already losing 30-0, which reminded everyone of the beating they took from Newcastle earlier. However, the game turned out differently this time. Even though the Knights were making mistakes after the break, the Bulldogs couldn't fully take advantage.
At one point, the Bulldogs had two players sent off temporarily, leaving them with only 11 players on the field. This made it even harder for them to catch up since they were already trailing 12-0. The Bulldogs' defense was not great, allowing the Knights to establish their lead in the first half.
The Bulldogs' only try of the game came later, when Reed Mahoney managed to score close to the end. They had a chance to score in the first half, but they missed it just before the break.
It wasn't a great day for the Bulldogs, especially because their opponents took advantage of their mistakes and managed to score even when the odds seemed against them.
