Live NRL 2017: Parramatta Eels vs Newcastle Knights

Look out for the Knights next season. Whilst Parramatta didn't put up the biggest of fights, they were being shopped about as outside contenders earlier in the week.

Shut out by Newcastle, days later.

In the shorter term, look out for Michael Chammas' match report which is on it's way.

We've also got Brisbane Broncos taking on the Cronulla Sharks to cap off tonight's NRL action.

You don't often see this. Newcastle cruising to victory.

Brock Lamb has dropped the field goal! Cheeky!

This has been a comprehensive victory from the away side that have gone something like 24 losses running on the road.

They're in absolute control.

Or will I eat my words? Parramatta could be in!

They've taken it a long way back to an earlier kick that started it all, and it looks like it's been touched by Mitch Moses before the ball was spread across for the beginning of a potential comeback? Maybe not...

There were questions over grounding too - the NO TRY coming at the end of a bit of a scramble on the left-edge - but they needn't go that far down the track.

Newcastle cruising now. Not too concerned as Lamb is pulled over the sideline in the final 10 metres.

Parramatta are just as cruisy themselves, going through the motions as the clock runs down. 

Brad Arthur is going to absolutely give it to them here, post-match.

They're going upstairs but I think Newcastle are in again.

Ken Sio with an absolutely magical finish. Floating over the sideline. 

Spread right, out the back to Gagai who finds Sio, who does the rest.

Your classic rugby league poster try - full body over the line, reaching back inside the corner post. Have that, Parra.

Hodkinson can't do it from the sideline - he strikes the upright!

Newcastle have had more than 70 per cent of the ball in the second half so far. We're talking 10/11 completion to 3 from 7 for Parramatta.

There's 15 on the clock and Parramatta will need three tries to take this one.

We've seen Newcastle capitulate from these sorts of positions before, but based on the way the Eels are looking, I don't think tonight will be added to the list.

Meantime, Tepai Moeroa has gone in for an HIA after a bit of ahead clash.

Moses tries something a bit different, dismissing the kick option on offer - but he's thrown the intercept instead in an attempt to find Auva'a on the right wing!

Luckily there was coverage. Things going bad to worse for Parramatta out there.

That call might go down as controversial and it's come with the added cost of a try.

Lamb looked like he was going to kick there - that might just be what worked in his favour as he finds his way through a crowd of Parramatta defenders in a quality solo effort.

Almost under the posts!

It's an easy nudge off the tee to push the lead out to 14.

The crowd not happy as Takairangi appears to pull of the one-on-one strip on the big screen, seconds after the ref calls a rake.

Parramatta concede another costly penalty.

Overlaps on tap here for the Knights.

The Eels blowing up again! Sio was tackled, held on the ground when he popped the pass out. It's play-on out there and the Knights earn a repeat set to boot.

Kirisome Auva'a has spilled his lollies as he goes to recover the kick. Newcastle have six again!

Will Smith is in the bin. He's saved a try as a quick play-the-ball would have almost certainly resulted in a four-pointer. A professional foul called as he dives over the mark to disrupt things.

It's not worth it in the end, Newcastle scoring a play later. Easily done, spread to the right side and in the end Lachlan Fitzgibbon is given the space to rush into the in-goal, near the posts.

Hodkinson is given an easy one as a result.

Jennings feels a bit hard done by here. He's been held up by the referee as he was looking to take a 20m tap (Kenny-Dowall kicked dead on the wing under pressure).

Then he's been pinged for an incorrect play-the-ball. He'll say he was pulled off the mark, most would agree he was probably in a bit of a hurry to play it.

It puts Newcastle in a great position, ten minutes in. And they might be in!

The little grubber comes in from Hodkinson on the left side - so much room out there! Terrible position from Parra, but Peter Mata'utia was a step offside and the Knights might just pay the price.

Brad Arthur is down on the sideline in the second half. He's opted to inject himself this second half.

Maybe he's brought the boots?

Apparently he's not happy with his side's energy levels and believes they have to lift all aspects of their game this second half.

Moses with a bit of desperation knocks a loose football back and then dives onto it - he's been ruled to knock it on for his trouble.

Still, that's the sort of extra effort his coach wants to see. Do Newcastle have a response?

Minutes away from a return to action.

Parramatta trail by two, after a first half that saw them down by 12 in the first 10 minutes, to a converted try with the last play of the half.

They've dragged themselves back into contention here. 

Newcastle looked promising after a great start and to their credit, kept up their levels of aggression and hunger throughout the half.

Perhaps unlucky to concede in the way they did at the death - they've got it all to do now.

A bit of excitement to finish, the loose try (Will Smith was the man) followed by a bit of a blue.

There's a bit of want about this one! Should make for some exciting football in the second half.

In the meantime, here's a big shot from Suaia Matagi a little earlier.

Parramatta attempt a few entries by force, running some hit ups close to the line. 

I think they're in! It's messy but Parra will take this, just prior to half time. The cross field kick is batted back by Takairangi - then it's picked up by a loose Will Smith and walked in.

Try or not, they're all in, here! Both sides come together for a bit of push and shove.

We're upstairs looking at things, I think they'll award the try - they've moved on and looking at the brawl. Not much doing there, though.

Moses will have it easy off the tee, as the try was worked a little infield while everyone was distracted.

Brock Lamb loses the football within the final 10 metres, trying to force an offload that wasn't really there. He's knocked on.

These are the sorts of things that could lose the Knights the game, despite leading by eight.

Auva'a bursts through a gap (or makes one through two players - big contact!) and eats up the metres, before a pop to Michael Jennings downfield. 

A sloppy play-the-ball finishes an exciting set, but Norman is able to put the kick away - Moses is the man to chase and forces Gagai back in-goal.

Wouldn't expect it to be him, even a few weeks ago!

NO TRY: Parramatta spread the ball from right-to-left in an effort to give Semi Radradra a one-on-one at the line.

He wanted it, but he's had a foot slip into touch. Wouldn't be sure if he'd have been right anyway - looks like he might have lost the football anyway.

Good news for Newcastle. What isn't good news is giving the ball away seconds later, just 20 metres out from their own line.

Could be worse! You could be Parramatta, losing the football on the first hit-up that follows...

Kenny Edwards comes up with the possession after the ball floats around in the air after being batted back and forth by the Knights.

He steps in and out and eats up a few metres, before earning a penalty. He hits the deck hard after a push.

Let's just say he must have a been a little off-balance...

The Knights haven't let the Eels' try dampen their spirit. They've got a tenacity about them, the visitors.

Parramatta will need to do something about it; break their spirit. A bit of a cliche, but it looks like it's going to be down to who wants this thing more.

Jennings gives away a penalty around halfway with a second effort to pull a man over the touchline, after held was called.