Gidley Back With A Vengeance Against Cowboys

Newcastle Herald

Saturday June 21, 2008

Brett Keeble

KNIGHTS everywhere-man Kurt Gidley saw red when flattened off the ball by Cowboys utility Sione Faumuina in Newcastle's 30-18 victory at Dairy Farmers Stadium on Monday.

Gidley came up swinging after the incident in the 46th minute.

Both players were cautioned by referee Shayne Hayne, but the Knights received the penalty.

"It was just a bit of rage, but I settled down pretty quickly," Gidley said.

In his first game for Newcastle since breaking his cheekbone against Melbourne on May 12, Gidley scored two tries and kicked five goals from six attempts, strengthening his case for a start in the NSW No.7 jersey for the Origin decider in Sydney on July 2.

But he said his priority was the game against the Roosters at EnergyAustralia Stadium tomorrow his first appearance at home since the Knights beat the Titans 13-12 on May 3.

"We beat them last time [34-20 at Gosford on April 20], and I'm sure they'll be pretty filthy about that, but it will be good to play at home," he said.

"I haven't played there for a while.

"It's always good to get back playing with the boys and playing a bit of consistent footy. It's a big game for us and I'm just concentrating on trying to play well for the club again."

? Former Knights back-rower Daniel Abraham's game against his old club was his last with the Cowboys.

After six appearances for North Queensland, all losses, Abraham could not come to terms on a contract for the rest of the season.

The 27-year-old former Country Origin representative is back in Mackay, where he will continue working as a scaffolder and playing "park footy" in the Queensland Cup for the Cutters.

? Skilful second-rower Cory Paterson said the Knights would settle for nothing less than a finals berth in his second NRL season.

Newcastle have crept back into the top eight but, starting with tomorrow's game against the Roosters at EAS, face back-to-back matches against two of the five equal leaders before a string of games against other top-eight contenders.

"We set our goals on making the eight, and anything less than that is not good enough," Paterson said.

COMING UP

KNIGHTS' NEXT FOUR GAMES

Rd 16: 7.30pm; Saturday, June 28

v Sea Eagles (Bluetongue Stadium)

Rd 17: 7.30pm; Saturday, July 5

v Dragons (EAS)

Rd 18: 7.45pm; Friday, July 11 v

Panthers (CUA Stadium)

Rd 19: 7.30pm; Saturday, July 19

v Sharks (Toyota Stadium)

© 2008 Newcastle Herald

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