Round 14
Newcastle Knights 22 d. Canberra Raiders 18

2007 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Buderus shines in 200th match
Mon June 18, 2007
Newcastle captain Danny Buderus was the inspiration in his 200th NRL match as the Knights overcame Canberra 22-18 at EnergyAustralia Stadium tonight.

Buderus became the 5th Newcastle player to pass the 200 milestone after Tony Butterfield, Robbie O'Davis, Andrew Johns and Matthew Gidley and produced one of his finest performances of the season just as pressure for his position in the New South Wales side was under serious threat. Buderus had been completely out gunned by Cameron Smith in the opening two matches and the form of Wests Tigers hooker Robbie Farah has been too good to ignore. Buderus responded in the best way possible and also help the Knights gain two crucial premiership points.

Newcastle were well served by three of their veteran players tonight with NSW forward Steve Simpson and former International Adam MacDougall also having impressive games. Simpson did a lot of work in defence and came up with some handy plays in attack when it was required. Whether or not Simpson keeps his spot in the NSW side is another matter with his game being too similar to that of Nathan Hindmarsh who is one of the finest forwards of the modern era and Andrew Ryan who was the Blues best with 53 tackles and 13 hit ups last week.

MacDougall scored two tries including the only try of the first half, which happened in the 11th minute. Canberra scored five minutes into the second half through Lincoln Withers to lead 6-4 and MacDougall's second try in the 51st minute regained Newcastle the lead and they were never headed from that moment.

Talented young centre Brad Tighe extended Newcastle's lead from four to ten in the 57th minute with a try and he'll be a big loss to the Knights next year when he takes up a three-year contract with Penrith.

Chris Bailey crossed over in the 68th minute to put the Raiders out of reach.

Canberra to their credit never gave up and scored two tries in the final four minutes through Colin Best and Brad Cross to reduce the margin.

Once again the Raiders couldn't find the formula to win away from home and once they can snare the odd win on the road than their record in the Nations Capital will ensure that this young side will continue to be regulars in the top eight. Withers was sharp around the dummy half area and tried to spark their attack, but the Raiders on the whole were off their game except for the final minutes when the Knights put the cue in the rack.

Newcastle move into the top eight following their victory and the return from injury of Kurt Gidley and Jarrod Mullen was an extra bonus.


Buderus hits the double ton
Sun June 17, 2007
Source: www.newcastleknights.com.au

Knights captain, Danny Buderus will join the Newcastle 200 club this Monday night when he reaches his double century against the Raiders.

The New South Wales captain will achieve the milestone at his home ground, becoming just the 5th player in the club's 20 year history to play 200 First Grade games.

"200 games is an important achievement for me but as a local junior it means so much more to have played them for the Knights," Buderus said.

"You put your head down and grind it out each week but it's not until you reach these milestones you realise what a ride it's been.

"It's taken a long time to get there but I'll look back with great memories of the good times and the friendships football has given me."

Buderus debuted in the blue and red against South Queensland in Round 3, 1995, going on to transform the modern hooking role.

In 10 years at the elite level he's represented Australia on 24 occasions including two Kangaroo Tours and played 17 matches for New South Wales from 2002 to 2007.

"I've been a member of the Danny Buderus fan club for a number of years," said Knights Coach, Brian Smith.

"Danny played his 199th game as though it was his first. His performance and leadership against the Roosters a fortnight ago was inspirational.

"His consistency over 10 years of First Grade football suggests he'll keep doing this for some time yet."

A presentation to celebrate the milestone will be made on Friday 29 June when the Knights return to EnergyAustralia Stadium to host the Rabbitohs in Round 16.

News sent by: www.newcastleknights.com.au

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