Newcastle Knights charge into third week of Tarsha Gale Cup finals with 50-12 drubbing of Penrith Panthers

Now, off the back of a 50-12 drubbing of the Penrith Panthers, they’re in touching distance of a title in their first year.

“Early on in the season I said this team had a lot of question marks, and the girls have squared up and showed they have the quality to win in their first season,” coach Josh Potapczyk said.

A hat-trick for Caitlin Johnston was the key haul of the ten try to two victory for the Knights.

Emily Harman and Tia Cook both added doubles at Leichardt Oval, with Cook’s four-pointers bookending the match in the fifth and fifty-seventh minutes of the contest.

After Cook’s first, and Harman’s double, Sophie Buller heaped on another try in the second half, while Jasmin Strange and Tazmyne Luschwitz scored amidst Johnston’s hat-trick.

Skye Pullman also kicked five goals.

The Panthers scored both their four-pointers in the first fifteen minutes of the game, with Teagan Toa Toa bagging the first before Jaysharna-Kean Houia claimed the second.

They were held scoreless in the second half of the match.

“We have an understanding of how we want to play now, and we can execute our game plans,” Potapczyk said. “We’re looking forward to the final matches.”