NRL fans slammed the Knights as “dumb” and “pretenders” after they were humbled 42-22 by the Wests Tigers.
Newcastle came into Sunday’s clash knowing a win would take them level on points with league leaders Penrith.
But things did not go to plan for Justin Holbrook’s side as the Tigers raced into a 16-0 lead inside 20 minutes.
Leading 28-4 at halftime, the hosts added another two tries in the second half as the Knights were cut open time and time again.
And footy fans on social media were quick to tear into them as they suffered their second defeat of the season.
Beaney said: “Knights success early in on the year has been a huge fluke. Pretenders.”
Hawk Report added: “This is peak 2025 Knights playing… The injuries are big but some of these plays are just dumb.”
The Unsportsman reacted: “Knights wanted the Panthers after going 4-1… well they got the team who is currently the second best team in the comp and got flogged. Big reality check!”
And Sierra simply said: “The Knights fans are quiet now.”
Backed by a crowd of 15,221, the Tigers pounced early, with tries from Sunia Turvua and Api Koroisau.
In-form winger Dom Young pulled one back for the Knights when he contorted his gangly frame to score in the corner, but the Tigers swiftly retaliated with Patrick Herbert and Jahream Bula giving them a 24-point lead at the break.
Despite running into a howling gale, the Tigers continued on their merry way during the second stanza.
Turuva completed his treble in the 54th minute after receiving another classic Adam Doueihi pass, and while Jeral Skelton’s in-goal error gifted Dane Gagai a try, Wests were far from done.
Bula was bobbed up once again to make it 36-10 after 61 minutes, before Koroisau’s dummy-half trickery helped Terrell May grab a rare try.
Trailing by 32 points, the Knights managed a couple of consolation tries thanks to Fletcher Hunt and Trey Mooney, but this did nothing to curb the enthusiasm of the Campbelltown faithful, who stood as one to applaud the Tigers, who registered their first win at the venue since August 2024.
