2019 Pre Season and Trials

Watson looks much more dangerous as a running back, the only thing he needs to work on is controlling the ball. He looks certain to score half the time only he comes up with an error nearly every opportunity he gets. Glasby looks like he solidify our middle, getting guys on their backs and slowing down the play the ball is a strength of his. I like Gavet so far, just has a few niggling penalties. Levi is going to be our biggest improver this season I think. Mann looked decent on the wing, just need better communication on our edges and more early ball and we’ll be real exciting to watch.
 
I hope that arse kicking is the bitter pill our team needs right before the season kicks off.

The sign of a champion team is how they bounce back from disappointment, so I hope the boys all rip in @ training . Because we’ve got redemption in less than 2 weeks time.
 
On first viewing I had that bust up the middle on Guerra and Fitz, but sounds like they were just doing their best to plug the gap left by Herman.
He was super good last year but definitely had a lazy effort in him at times. Not sure a bench of mann, guerra, dan and barnett/sione excites me too much though.
 
Joel said:
https://www.newcastleknights.com.au...-for-a-fair-period--browns-good-with-the-bad/

“Daniel Safiti, Danny Levi, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Mitch Barnett, Sione Mata’utia, they looked like they belonged in first grade,” credited Brown. “They were physically and mentally ready to play.”

As I said before the Sharks trial, I'm backing myself on Barnett. *sips tea*
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Barnett is fine. He’s just an easy target because he makes the odd error and has been here for a while.
 
Star To'a is being described as a winger in every article I read.
Not sure how he'd feel about that.
He has been at fullback or centre in every game I've seen till 2 weeks ago.
Only a few months ago he was playing fullback for Australia in the schoolboys test.
At 18, they should let him try out all the positions he is capable of before sticking him on a wing.
 
Joel said:
“Daniel Safiti, Danny Levi, Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Mitch Barnett, Sione Mata’utia, they looked like they belonged in first grade,” credited Brown. “They were physically and mentally ready to play.”
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Do not disagree with the coach in his assessment. Notice he doesn't mention Watson there, fullback position very concerning imo.
 
Can’t see Ese’ese missing out on top 17 went too well all of last season to not be considered, like to see Klemmer and Dan start with Gavet and Ese’ese on bench, Glasby at 13
Am more worried about our backs with some doubts about SKD, Moga & Hunt due to injuries and if they play will they last.
 
If the Knights are serious about challenging for a Premiership they can't do it with Watson at fullback the way he is currently playing. You can't win anything these days with a fullback who can't/won't pass.

Cronulla have had this discussion. Dugan was signed as a fullback on big money but can't pass so is now exclusively a centre. Might be part of the reason Saints let him go and have subsequently gone with Widdop/Norman at fullback.

In the last 10 grand finals the winning fullbacks have been Tedesco, Slater x 3, Barba, Coote, Inglis, Minichello/Tuivasa-Sheck, Stewart and Boyd. The losing fullbacks have been Hayne, Minichello, Locke, Barba, Stewart, Perrett, Boyd, Munster, Coote and Slater. I realise Watson is only young but excluding Locke and Perrett he is not in the same ballpark of these as a fullback and until he adds a decent pass to his game he will never get near them.

The beauty of Ponga last year was that he is a brilliant broken field runner and kick returner but also chimed in and was a danger with his passing game on the edge. Watson has not shown any ability or desire to do the same. Until he becomes a threat with a passing option in his game I don't think the Knights can be considered a serious contender.

Despite having a horrible first touch where he dropped a bomb and gifted Newtown a try otherwise I thought Hoy was pretty good at fullback and may be a better long term option with Watson going back with Mann as an option at 14.
 
Tedesco didn't have much of a passing game till about 2 seasons ago. He is a much better player now he has one though.
 
mozza said:
Barnett is fine. He’s just an easy target because he makes the odd error and has been here for a while.
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Barnett's very close to smashing someone. He looks bigger and stronger and when he gets his timing right and/or hits with his shoulder he's going to hurt someone. Brown said the team has to forget about the hype around the team I think it was too many trying too hard too impress.
 
Billy said:
Tedesco didn't have much of a passing game till about 2 seasons ago. He is a much better player now he has one though.
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Agreed. The Roosters have taken him to another level and it provides another threat in his/their game.

That's kind of my point. Do the Knights weaken their side (in my opinion) by moving Ponga from fullback (where he is close to a superstar already) and experiment while trying to turn Watson into a top class fullback, which they need to win the comp. Or do you leave Ponga at the back and have a no frills "catch and pass" five eight like say a Blake Green or Mason Lino maybe, and have the options of Ponga still returning kicks and running in broken play but also popping up either side of the ruck and having back rowers run into the holes he creates?
 
Speedymetric said:
Agreed. The Roosters have taken him to another level and it provides another threat in his/their game.

That's kind of my point. Do the Knights weaken their side (in my opinion) by moving Ponga from fullback (where he is close to a superstar already) and experiment while trying to turn Watson into a top class fullback, which they need to win the comp. Or do you leave Ponga at the back and have a no frills "catch and pass" five eight like say a Blake Green or Mason Lino maybe, and have the options of Ponga still returning kicks and running in broken play but also popping up either side of the ruck and having back rowers run into the holes he creates?
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I'd like to see Watson get a bit more time at fullback first. He's had limited time playing there for us, in trials no less. I agree with you regarding Ponga though. I think he's best at fullback. However, again, I'd like to see him play a bit more at 5/8 before that call is made. Ultimately, I think Ponga will go back to 1 and then Watson will be competing for the 6 or 14 jumpers.
 
I like Hoy, but only last year he was our second best under 20s fullback behind Matt Cooper, or our 4th best in reserve grade behind Nick Meaney, Matt Cooper and Brent Naden.
 
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