ROUND 3: Knights v Titans @ CBUS Super Stadium

Junior11

Junior11

Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus



​
[TABLE="width: 500, align: center"]
[TR]
[TD="align: right"]Newcastle
KNIGHTS
POSITION: 4th
FORM: W W[/TD]
[TD="align: center"]V[/TD]
[TD]Gold Coast
TITANS
POSITION: 16th
FORM: L L[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
KICK OFF: 5:30 PM
LIVE ON FOX SPORTS 1

Referees: Adam Devcich & Gavin Reynolds
Sideline Referees: Michael Wise & Brett Suttor
Video Referees: Gavin Badger & Ben Galea

TICKET PURCHASE & GAME DAY INFORMATION HERE

LOWER GRADE KNIGHTS GAMES
HOLDEN CUP: Knights v Titans @ 3:15 PM
NSW CUP: Knights v Roos @ Wyong, SAT 3:00 PM



1. Kurt GIDLEY (c)
2. James MCMANUS
3. Dane GAGAI
4. Joseph LEILUA
5. Akuila UATE
6. Jarrod MULLEN
7. Tyrone ROBERTS
8. Kade SNOWDEN
9. Adam CLYDSDALE
10. Korbin SIMS
11. Beau SCOTT
12. Robbie ROCHOW
13. Jeremy SMITH

14. Tyler RANDELL
15. Chris HOUSTON
16. David FA'ALOGO
17. Jack STOCKWELL
18. Sione MATA'UTIA


Titans Line Up:

1. Josh Hoffman
2. Anthony Don
3. James Roberts
4. William Zillman
5. David Mead
6. Aidan Sezer
7. Daniel Mortimer
8. Luke Douglas
9. Beau Falloon
10. Nate Myles (c)
11. Ryan James
12. Dave Taylor
13. Greg Bird

14. Eddy Pettybourne
15. Matt White
16. Ryan Simpkins
17. Kieran Moseley


KEY KNIGHTS MILESTONES

- Jarrod Mullen will become the Knights equal 8th highest capped player

- Akuila Uate requires 2 tries to reach 100 tries for the Knights



All discussion on the game in this thread. Pre-match talk and predictions, live score updates & post-match thoughts
​
 
HEAD TO HEAD - OVERALL

Played - 12

Knights - 7

Titans - 5

HEAD TO HEAD - CBUS SUPER STADIUM

Played - 4

Knights - 3

Titans - 1

NRL RECORD (1998-PRESENT)

Played - 12

Knights - 7

Titans - 5

HEAD TO HEAD - THE COACHES

Games - 5

Rick Stone - 3

Neil Henry - 2

FACTS AND FIGURES
​

* The Knights have won 4 out of their last 6 games against the Titans​

​
* The Knights have won their last 2 games against the Titans at CBUS Super Stadium

​
* The Knights have only lost 1 game to the Titans at CBUS Super Stadium and that was in 2009

​
* In 2014 these teams met twice with both side winning 1 game each

* 4 of the last 5 games between these teams have been decided by 14 points or more

* 3 of those games have been decided by 24 points or more

​
* The average amount of points scored in games between these 2 teams is 47 points per game (High Scoring)​

​
* The average Margin of victory in games between these 2 teams is 13.66 points per game (One Sided)
​

PLAYER STATS

Adam Clydsdale

* Adam Clydsdale has made 56m in his 2 games this year at an average of 28m per game

* Adam Clydsdale has made 1 tackle break in his 2 games this year

* Adam Clydsdale is yet to make a line break in his 2 games this year

* Adam Clydsdale is yet to create a try assist in his 2 games this year

* Adam Clydsdale has created 1 line break assist assist in his 2 games this year

* Adam Clydsdale is yet to concede a penalty in his 2 games this year

* Adam Clydsdale has made 72 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 36 tackles per game

* Adam Clydsdale has missed 6 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 3 missed tackles per game

* Adam Clydsdale is yet to score a try in 2015

David Fa'alogo

* David Fa'alogo has made 104m in his 2 games this year at an average of 52m per game

* David Fa'alogo is yet to make a tackle break in his 2 games this year

* David Fa'alogo is yet to make a line break in his 2 games this year

* David Fa'alogo has conceded 2 penalties in his 2 games this year

* David Fa'alogo has made 47 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 33.5 tackles per game

* David Fa'alogo has missed 2 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 1 missed tackle per game

Dane Gagai

* Dane Gagai is yet to score a try in his 3 games against the Titans

* Dane Gagai has made 378m in his 2 games this year at an average of 189m per game

* Dane Gagai has made 8 tackle breaks in his 2 games this year

* Dane Gagai has made 2 line breaks in his 2 games this year

* Dane Gagai is yet to create a try assist in his 2 games this year

* Dane Gagai is yet to create a line break assist assist in his 2 games this year

* Dane Gagai has conceded 2 penalties in his 2 games this year

* Dane Gagai has made 28 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 14 tackles per game

* Dane Gagai has missed 5 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 2.5 missed tackles per game

* Dane Gagai has scored 2 tries in his 2 games this year

Kurt Gidley

* Kurt Gidley has scored 2 tries in his 10 games against the Titans

* Kurt Gidley has kicked 35 goals in his 10 games against the Titans

* Kurt Gidley has amassed 78 points in his 10 games against the Titans (7.8 points per game)

* Kurt Gidley has made 100m in his 1 game this year at an average of 100m per game

* Kurt Gidley has made 1 tackle break in his game this year

* Kurt Gidley has made 1 line break in his 1 game this year

* Kurt Gidley is yet to create a try assist in his 1 game this year

* Kurt Gidley is yet to create a line break assist in his 1 game this year

* Kurt Gidley has conceded 1 penalty in his 1 game this year

* Kurt Gidley has made 29 tackles in his 1 game this year at an average of 29 tackles per game

* Kurt Gidley has missed 1 tackle in his 1 game this year at an average of 1 missed tackle per game

* Kurt Gidley is yet to score a try in 2015

Chris Houston

* Chris Houston has made 134m in his 2 games this year at an average of 67m per game

* Chris Houston is yet to make a tackle break in his 2 games this year

* Chris Houston is yet to make a line break in his 2 games this year

* Chris Houston has conceded 4 penalties in his 2 games this year

* Chris Houston has made 64 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 32 tackles per game

* Chris Houston has missed 5 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 2.5 missed tackles per game

Joseph Leilua

* Joseph Leilua has scored 3 tries in his 8 games against the Titans

* Joseph Leilua has made 311m in his 2 games this year at an average of 155.5m per game

* Joseph Leilua has made 13 tackle breaks in his 2 games this year

* Joseph Leilua has made 2 line breaks in his 2 games this year

* Joseph Leilua has created 1 try assist in his 2 games this year

* Joseph Leilua has created 1 line break assist in his 2 games this year

* Joseph Leilua has conceded 1 penalty in his 2 games this year

* Joseph Leilua has made 10 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 5 tackles per game

* Joseph Leilua has missed 2 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 1 missed tackle per game

* Joseph Leilua has scored 2 tries in his 2 games this year

Sione Mata'utia

* Sione Mata'utia is yet to play against the Titans

* Sione Mata'utia has made 310m in his 2 games this year at an average of 155m per game

* Sione Mata'utia has made 2 tackle breaks in his 2 games this year

* Sione Mata'utia is yet to make a line break in his 2 games this year

* Sione Mata'utia is yet to create a try assist in his 2 games this year

* Sione Mata'utia is yet to create a line break assist assist in his 2 games this year

* Sione Mata'utia has conceded 2 penalties in his 2 games this year

* Sione Mata'utia has made 9 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 4.5 tackles per game

* Sione Mata'utia has missed 5 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 2.5 missed tackles per game

* Sione Mata'utia is yet to score a try in his 2 games this year

James McManus

* James McManus has scored 11 tries in his 10 games against the Titans

* James McManus has made 159m in his 2 games this year at an average of 79.5m per game

* James McManus has made 1 tackle break in his 2 games this year

* James McManus is yet to make a line break in his 2 games this year

* James McManus is yet to create a try assist in his 2 games this year

* James McManus is yet to create a line break assist assist in 2015

* James McManus is yet to concede a penalty in his 2 games this year

* James McManus has made 6 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 3 tackles per game

* James McManus has missed 3 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 1.5 missed tackles per game

* James McManus is yet to score a try in 2015

Jarrod Mullen

* Jarrod Mullen has made 154m in his 2 games this year at an average of 77m per game

* Jarrod Mullen has made 2 tackle breaks in his 2 games this year

* Jarrod Mullen has made 1 line break in his 2 games this year

* Jarrod Mullen has created 1 try assist in his 2 games this year

* Jarrod Mullen has created 1 line break assist in his 2 games this year

* Jarrod Mullen has made 25 kicks in his 2 games this year at an average of 12.5 kicks per game

* Jarrod Mullen has made 762 kick metres in his 2 games this year at an average of 381 kick metres per game

* Jarrod Mullen has conceded 1 penalty in his 2 games this year

* Jarrod Mullen has made 46 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 23 tackles per game

* Jarrod Mullen has missed 4 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 2 missed tackles per game

* Jarrod Mullen is yet to score a try in his 2 games this year

Tyler Randell

* Tyler Randell has made 19m in his 1 game this year at an average of 19m per game

* Tyler Randell has made 2 tackle breaks in his 1 game this year

* Tyler Randell made 1 line break in his 1 game this year

* Tyler Randell is yet to create a try assist in 2015

* Tyler Randell is yet to create a line break assist assist in 2015

* Tyler Randell has conceded 2 penalties in his 1 game this year

* Tyler Randell has made 16 tackles in his 1 game this year at an average of 16 tackles per game

* Tyler Randell is yet to miss a tackle his 1 game this year

* Tyler Randell has scored a try in his 1 game this year

Tyrone Roberts

* Tyrone Roberts has made 71m in his 2 games this year at an average of 35.5m per game

* Tyrone Roberts has made 3 tackle breaks in his 2 games this year

* Tyrone Roberts is yet to make a line break in his 2 games this year

* Tyrone Roberts is yet to create a try assist in his 2 games this year

* Tyrone Roberts has created 1 line break assist in his 2 games this year

* Tyrone Roberts has conceded 1 penalty in his 2 games this year

* Tyrone Roberts has made 9 kicks in his 2 games this year at an average of 4.5 kicks per game

* Tyrone Roberts has made 279 kick metres in his 2 games this year at an average of 139.5 kick metres per game

* Tyrone Roberts has made 30 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 15 tackles per game

* Tyrone Roberts has missed 6 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 3 missed tackles per game

* Tyrone Roberts is yet to score a try in his 2 games this year

* Tyrone Roberts has kicked 5 goals in in his 2 games this year

Robbie Rochow

* Robbie Rochow has made 255m in his 2 games this year at an average of 127.5m per game

* Robbie Rochow has made 2 tackle breaks in his 2 games this year

* Robbie Rochow has made 1 line break in his 2 games this year

* Robbie Rochow is yet to concede a penalty in his 2 games this year

* Robbie Rochow has made 49 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 24.5 tackles per game

* Robbie Rochow has missed 3 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 1.5 missed tackle per game

* Robbie Rochow has scored 1 try in his 2 games this year

Beau Scott

* Beau Scott has made 112m in his 2 games this year at an average of 56m per game

* Beau Scott has made 1 tackle break his 2 games this year

* Beau Scott is yet to make a line break in his 2 games this year

* Beau Scott has conceded 1 penalty in his 2 game this year

* Beau Scott has made 73 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 36.5 tackles per game

* Beau Scott has missed 7 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 3.5 missed tackles per game

* Beau Scott is yet to score a try in his 2 games this year

Korbin Sims

* Korbin Sims has made 177m in his 2 games this year at an average of 88.5m per game

* Korbin Sims has made 1 tackle break in his 2 games this year

* Korbin Sims is yet to make a line break in his 2 games this year

* Korbin Sims is yet to concede a penalty in his 2 games this year

* Korbin Sims has made 54 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 27 tackles per game

* Korbin Sims has missed 6 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 3 missed tackles per game

* Korbin Sims is yet to score a try in his 2 games this year

Jeremy Smith

* Jeremy Smith has made 160m in his 2 games this year at an average of 80m per game

* Jeremy Smith has made 2 tackle breaks in his 2 games this year

* Jeremy Smith is yet to make a line break in his 2 games this year

* Jeremy Smith has conceded 1 penalty in his in his 2 games this year

* Jeremy Smith has made 53 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 26.5 tackles per game

* Jeremy Smith has missed 1 tackle in his 2 games this year at an average of 0.5 missed tackle per game

* Jeremy Smith is yet to score a try in his 2 games this year

Kade Snowden

* Kade Snowden has made 283m in his 2 games this year at an average of 141.5m per game

* Kade Snowden has made 3 tackle breaks in his 2 games this year

* Kade Snowden has made 1 line break in his 2 games this year

* Kade Snowden has conceded 1 penalty in his 2 games this year

* Kade Snowden has made 67 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 33.5 tackles per game

* Kade Snowden has missed 7 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 3.5 missed tackles per game

* Kade Snowden is yet to score a try in his 2 games this year

Jack Stockwell

* Jack Stockwell has made 145m in his 2 games this year at an average of 72.5m per game

* Jack Stockwell has made 2 tackle breaks in his 2 games this year

* Jack Stockwell is yet to make a line break in his 2 games this year

* Jack Stockwell is yet to concede a penalty in his 2 games this year

* Jack Stockwell has made 55 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 27.5 tackles per game

* Jack Stockwell has missed 2 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 1 missed tackle per game

* Jack Stockwell is yet to score a try in in his 2 games this year

Akuila Uate

* Akuila Uate has scored 8 tries in his 9 games against the Titans

* Akuila Uate has made 260m in his 2 games this year at an average of 130m per game

* Akuila Uate has made 8 tackle breaks in his 2 games this year

* Akuila Uate has made 2 line breaks in his 2 games this year

* Akuila Uate has created 1 try assist in his 2 games this year

* Akuila Uate has created 1 line break assist in his 2 games this year

* Akuila Uate is yet to concede a penalty in his 2 games this year

* Akuila Uate has made 7 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 3.5 tackles per game

* Akuila Uate has missed 3 tackles in his 2 games this year at an average of 1.5 missed tackles per game

* Akuila Uate has scored 1 try in his 2 games this year


2015 SEASON STATS

Position

Knights - 4th

Titans - 16th

Points Scored

Knights - 40

Titans - 18

Points Conceded

Knights - 28

Titans - 59

Tries Scored

Knights - 7

Titans - 3

Tries Conceded

Knights - 4

Titans - 11

Metres Gained

Knights - 3,200

Titans - 2,477

Linebreaks

Knights - 11

Titans - 4

Tackle Breaks

Knights - 63

Titans - 43

Errors

Knights - 25

Titans - 29

Kick Metres

Knights - 1,112

Titans- 528

40/20's

Knights - 0

Titans- 0

Offloads

Knights - 27

Titans - 20

Tackles

Knights - 714

Titans - 694

Missed Tackles

Knights - 62

Titans - 62

PREDICTIONS AND PENDING MILESTONES

Prediction

Knights - 38
Titans - 6
FTS - Akuila Uate
LTS - James McManus
MOTM - Jarrod Mullen

Pending Milestones

- Chris Houston requires 4 more points to reach 100 career points

- Kurt Gidley requires 22 points to reach 1,200 career points

- Akuila Uate requires 2 more tries to reach 100 career tries and 100 tries for the Knights

- Akuila Uate requires 8 more points to reach 400 career points and 400 points for the Knights

- Jarrod Mullen (189 games) requires 1 more game to equal Bill Peden (190 games) as our 8th highest capped player​
 
Our attack & defence have both been pretty decent so far, we should win this, keyword being should. The boys can't be too cocky after the last 2 wins, we need to be on, the Titans won't just fall over, especially not if they get their suspended players back, they'll be trying hard to get their first win against the odds.
 
Last edited:
Feel like our attack needs to fire, it's been rather sloppy and we're not making the most of our back line in structured sets. Not sure if that's something that's going to develop over time or a confidence thing from Mullen and Roberts but if anything is going to stop us from competing with the top sides in 2015 it's that. Titans shouldn't really pose much of a threat; the first half against the Panthers was good but neither side had solid defense. However, they'll snag a win eventually and if their suspended players return, then it would be about right that it's against us.
 
Do you think the boys will fire up after loosing the rise for Alex round to the Titans last year?

A lot of them have said that was the worst moment for them last year.
 
Has anyone on here been up to Cbus for a game? Was heading up there and would love to go to an away game. I've heard you need to catch public transport to the stadium, but is there any tips or anything where I can park near the stadium? Thankyou
 
They ran circles around us last year and we were heavy favourites, if they get their suspended players back I can see that happening again. We need to fire and shut down Hoffman and Roberts IMO
 
I love how we are still all so negative :lol:.

And I am part of that club too I have to say. It's just easier to expect a loss and be surprised, than expect a win and be disappointed...thats my theory anyway.

This is a game we could win and should win, and the team of old would have been beaten here, but I love the feeling around the boys this year...it's different.

I just hope that Will is man of the match again, and that skill pops his head in more than he has been.
 
Craig said:
Has anyone on here been up to Cbus for a game? Was heading up there and would love to go to an away game. I've heard you need to catch public transport to the stadium, but is there any tips or anything where I can park near the stadium? Thankyou
Click to expand...

They block off every street in every direction and have people all over the place making sure noone parks near the stadium so no parking mate unless you go a fair bit away. It's honestly easier to catch a 5-10 minute train from Helensvale or Nerang station and it's free. It's still a bit of a walk from the Robina station to the stadium but beats stuffing around with the parking from a mile away.
 
NRL Round Three early mail


  • STAFF WRITERS
  • THE DAILY TELEGRAPH
  • MARCH 17, 2015 12:28PM

We preview Tuesday’s round three team announcements with our early mail.

TITANS V KNIGHTS - Sunday, 6.30pm AEDT at Cbus Stadium

Titans:

Titans coach Neil Henry could have his five suspended players, including key men David Taylor and Greg Bird, back training with the squad early this week — but it remains to be seen if they will be rushed straight back into the team.

Winger Kevin Gordon missed the Panthers game after breaking nose at training and looks set to be sidelined for another week.

Unavailable:

Kevin Gordon (nose, TBC) Ben Ridge (pectoral, indefinite), Matthew White (hamstring, Round 3), David Hala (knee, Round 3-4), Greg Bird (Stood down, Indefinite), Beau Falloon (Stood down, Indefinite), Dave Taylor (Stood down, Indefinite), Jamie Dowling (Stood down, Indefinite), Kalifa Faifai Loa (Stood down, Indefinite).

Knights:

Somehow, all of Rick Stone’s Knights got away with their heavy-handed tactics on Johnathan Thurston, with forward Beau Scott taking an early plea to his grade one dangerous contact charge.

Depending how adventurous Stone is feeling, Sione Mata’utia could get a start against the struggling Titans after coming off the bench against the Cowboys.

Unavailable:

Jaelen Feeney (arm, indefinite), Pat Mata’utia (leg, indefinite)


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sp...th-an-arm-injury/story-fnp0lyn3-1227265837565
 
I think I heard that if they were to play this weekend they would have had to of been cleared by today so we'll see how that works out. Even if those players do come back, they'll be behind the 8 ball a bit fitness wise so hopefully either way we can take advantage.

I'm too used to the boys dropping games that they should win so I can't be confident with this although a win really should be on the cards if we're serious. We have to start a hell of a lot better and continue our second half shutouts. Hopefully we'll get to display some crisper attack and don't give the Titans a sniff with all the penalties and turn overs we gave the Cowboys because it's eventually going to cost us. Titans will be due for a win soon I just hope it's not against us.
 
Great that Beau Scott has been cleared to play, but Tyrone Fan some of us old timers here for years have seen repeatedly games we should win go down the gurgler. Every year it is a story "if we had only beaten so and so and such and such when we should have".

BUT I am confident we will beat the Titans by a reasonable margin such as 26-12.
 
Will the Titans that are currently suspended be lifted onto the field by helicopter if they are cleared to play ? I'm thinking they might have trouble going past the white line if they run out with the rest of the team.
 
member 2299 said:
Great that Beau Scott has been cleared to play, but Tyrone Fan some of us old timers here for years have seen repeatedly games we should win go down the gurgler. Every year it is a story "if we had only beaten so and so and such and such when we should have".

BUT I am confident we will beat the Titans by a reasonable margin such as 26-12.
Click to expand...


Oh I hear ya!

I was at that finals game against the Roosters years ago...you know...THAT game. Hubby and I are still scarred to this day.
 
Titans brace for physical Knights

Tue 17 Mar, 2015, 12:58pm

By Tony Webeck, Chief Queensland Correspondent, NRL.com

Titans captain Nate Myles has warned his young forwards to expect a physical battering when the Knights land on the Gold Coast on Sunday but doesn't believe Newcastle enforcer Beau Scott goes beyond the laws of the game.

Scott was cited by the match review committee for a dangerous throw on Cowboys playmaker Johnathan Thurston last weekend but is free to play the Titans with an early guilty plea that will leave him with 90 carry-over points.

With a physical forward confrontation awaiting them at Cbus Super Stadium on Sunday evening there could be no better time for suspended stars Greg Bird, Dave Taylor and Beau Falloon to be cleared to resume playing for Gold Coast.

The Titans board was on Tuesday considering the advice handed down by Sydney barrister Tony Bannon SC with a decision expected to be made in the next 24-48 hours.

Although they were victorious against the Knights in Newcastle in Rise For Alex Round last year, the Titans suffered serious injuries to Ashley Harrison, Matt Srama, Luke O'Dwyer and Jamal Idris in two heavy defeats to the Knights in 2013 and Myles is expecting another bruising encounter on Sunday.

"It was pretty visible that they wanted to be physical with a key player so no doubt they'll be doing the same thing against us," Myles said.

"It's not against the rule book to target some people and the way they go about it, I suppose it can be in the wrong way.

"For us we know they're a physical side and they've been physical with us the last couple of years so we need to make sure that our training's s good and we take it out there [onto the field]."

Fierce opponents at both club and Origin level, rather than criticise Scott for his aggressive, in-your-face style, Myles instead praised the Knights back-rower but conceded that the 'no punching' edict has led to more niggling tactics.

"I was probably the best example of mouthing off and not putting your chin away but being cut from the old cloth, if you're willing to mouth off and willing to get dirty you have got to be prepared for what comes with it," Myles said.

"That's the reason Beau Scott is so good.

"He's a very physical player and they've already ruled on that and they didn't think he was too far out of line.

"He's a great player and our boys have to be ready for the physicality that they bring.

"There's a reason why there are those players in the game and why they're so good is because they are physical and they are tough."

After a one-point first-up loss at home to the Wests Tigers the Titans were forced to endure a torturous video review session on Tuesday morning in the wake of their 40-0 thrashing by the Panthers in Bathurst in Round 2.

With 19 errors and a completion rate of just 15 from 33 the Titans were in many ways the architects of their own demise but Myles remains confident they can rectify their poor execution in the coming days.

"Like always with us, it's a bit of a Groundhog Day saying that effort-wise was really good but lack of execution is not the right thing for us," he said.

"I didn't feel that there was any one point that I was getting worried, it was just one of those things where the harder we tried the worse it got.

"The silly thing is that we should be more aware of what we have to do on the field.

"Watching us on the weekend and feeling the way the game was going it didn't look like we were familiar at all with what we were doing but we are familiar with it and we need to transfer that from the training field to the game."


http://www.nrl.com/titans-brace-for-physical-knights/tabid/10874/newsid/84583/default.aspx
 
Advice from Senior Counsel

Tue 17th March, 01:24PM

The Gold Coast Titans Board has today received legal advice from Senior Counsel in relation to the five (5) Titans players currently stood down from playing and training duties (i.e. Greg Bird, Dave Taylor, Beau Falloon, Kalifa Faifai Loa & Jamie Dowling).

The Board decided last week to seek the highest level independent legal advice available to ensure all possible options were properly considered before making a decision on the immediate playing future of the charged players.

To this end, the Board engaged the services of eminent Sydney silk, Tony Bannon SC, who has now confirmed he has considered all relevant information available including police reports, individual player contracts, the NRL Rules and code of conduct.

Mr Bannon has also ensured all relevant legal obligations binding the club and its employees (i.e. the players) have been properly and legally evaluated.

In his comprehensive formal advice Mr Bannon concludes that given the circumstances and alternatives the better course is for the club to “stay its hand on disciplinary action until the criminal proceedings have been determined”.

On the basis of this advice the Board has resolved to allow the charged players to return to playing and training duties pending the outcome of the legal process.

In accepting the legal advice in relation to the specific circumstances of these charges, the Board reaffirms its determination to continue to take strong action as and when required to protect and enhance the reputation of the Gold Coast Titans in the eyes of the community and the sporting world generally.

Should any of the current allegations ultimately be proven in the courts, in assessing any subsequent disciplinary action the Board will be mindful of the serious reputational and financial damage the club has already suffered.


http://www.titans.com.au/news/2015/03/17/advice_from_senior_c.html



 
Knights to build on resilience

Tue 17th March, 01:48PM

Although the traits of resilience and desire have delivered the Newcastle Knights back-to-back wins, coach Rick Stone says the Knights remain focused on making improvements.

The last two rounds have relied on gutsy second-half comebacks from the Knights, so the emphasis for Stone is delivering consistency from the kick off when the team faces the Gold Coast Titans on Sunday.

“I think our resilience and toughness has kept us in the first couple of games,” Stone told the media on Tuesday.

“We haven’t put good passages of play or good blocks of minutes together in the first half. They’ve been error ridden and a few penalties.

“We have to improve on that if we want to compete each week.

"There’s going to be a time when a good team does a job on us if we can’t do that a bit better.

“That’s the focus this week.”

Stone believes the Knights’ robust defensive efforts have been the key to minimising the effectiveness of both the New Zealand Warriors and North Queensland Cowboys in the opening two rounds.

“There were some improving parts in our game, defensively we were a little bit better again,” he said about Saturday’s Cowboys win.

“We only let in 14 points which gives you a chance to win the game.

“Attack wise we still have a lot to go and we realise that.

“We are getting to the stage that after four to six weeks we’ll be getting into some type of groove.”

It seems the playing squad has reaped the benefits from more a solid pre-season training schedule, performing strongly in warm early March playing conditions.

“I’m pretty confident in our own fitness levels. We have shown we can play right out to the whistle and to the 80th minute and can keep competing,” he said.

“We’ve come home strong in both our games so far, hopefully that’s a component against the Gold Coast again."


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2015/03/17/knights_to_build_on_.html






- - - Updated - - -

Knights focus on Titans clash

Tue 17th March, 03:30PM

After laying the season’s platform with two hard fought wins, coach Rick Stone assures the Newcastle Knights are anything but complacent coming into the round three clash against the Gold Coast Titans.

“We understand the enormity of going up there and getting the job done,” Stone told the media on Tuesday.

“Every week you have to prepare to win an NRL game, particularly an away NRL game and a lot of effort, execution and effort goes into getting the job done.

“We are pretty focused about where we are up to and take every game as it comes, respect every opposition that we’ve got and train accordingly to prepare for the particular weekend."

Stone put the squad through a challenging training session on Tuesday, their first return to Knights HQ after returning from Townsville.

“Sometimes the boys need a bit of a sharpen up, it’s the boys first session and are a little bit rusty today,” he said.

“At times I challenged them a little bit on their execution, their focus and concentration.

“Every time you win a game you get a little bit softer in the head.

“I’ll keep doing that as we go along because they all need to be reminded at some stage.

“We’ve put two wins behind us, if we can execute and keep competing as hard as we can, and be a bit better with our discipline, we are going to give ourselves a chance on Sunday.”

Meanwhile, Beau Scott was cleared to play in this Sunday’s match after he entered an early plea to a Grade 1 dangerous contact charge for a tackle on Johnathan Thurston in the round two win.

Stone assured the team has moved past the incident and has shifted their full attention onto preparing for Sunday’s game.

“We’ve moved on and are getting ready for the Gold Coast," he added.

"We’re happy to have our NSW and Australian back rower playing every week if we can.

“I don’t think Beau would be too stressed about it.

“He plays hard and competes hard every week and I don’t think you’re going to get too much different this week.

“We competed hard in the game and got the two points, which was our goal and now we are getting over that and are moving on to Gold Coast.

“I know we didn’t set out to intentionally do a job on JT (Thurston), we know you have to minimize JT every time you play against them and if you give him enough time and space, he’ll pick you off and he’s done that to us plenty of times when we’ve gone up there
before.

“He plays it tough and he plays it fair and the last thing he’d want to do is actually hurt anyone.

“We have an in house idea of what we want to stand for and how we want to play every game and how hard we want to compete.

“We have shown a little bit of that in the first two weeks and I’d like to think it’s not going to change."


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2015/03/17/knights_focus_on_tit.html




 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top