2025 pre season thread

[Thieves Like Us]

Playing Ponga at 6 is lunacy on full moon proportions.

In economics there’s a concept called ‘comparative advantage’. I would love the coaching staff to assess the comparative advantage of playing Sharpe at 6 and Schiller on the wing versus Pryce at 6 and Sharpe on the wing (my money would be on the Sharpe/Shiller combo) but we all know that AOB will play it safe with Gamble at 6.

 

[Williams92]

7.Sharpe 6.Pryce 1. Ponga all fullbacks but seems to be working alright for the storm 7 Hughes 6 Munster 1 Pap
Only because they seem to have put a line through Hastings he’s best option in the team we need points our attack last year was horrible

 

[Krambach]

7.Sharpe 6.Pryce 1. Ponga all fullbacks but seems to be working alright for the storm 7 Hughes 6 Munster 1 Pap
Only because they seem to have put a line through Hastings he’s best option in the team we need points our attack last year was horrible

I think that’s one too many fullbacks.

1. Ponga
6. Sharpe/Pryce
7. A halfback.

 

[Brad tighe]

What’s interesting is the titans they have attacking weapons all over the park but it seems they have too many. Jackson Hastings would be perfect for them.

 

[Owey]

What’s interesting is the titans they have attacking weapons all over the park but it seems they have too many. Jackson Hastings would be perfect for them.

Except Foran is better

 

[frankLauda]

We think Brad Arthur might be a slight improvement on AOB. The talk of him possibly as an assistant I like.

 

[OnTilt]

We think Brad Arthur might be a slight improvement on AOB. The talk of him possibly as an assistant I like.

Brad Arthur couldn't get that Eels side to take the next step, I think he might be sideways at best.

 

[Frank McWilliams]

If Brad Arthur returns to Aust then under present circumstances I hope he has nothing to do with the Knights. Not questioning his coaching ability or lack of more to do with Father and Son at same Club.
If young Arthur makes it to first grade let it be on his hard work and ability and let’s not have the old “wouldn’t have made it if his Dad wasn’t Coach.
Not wishing to draw comparisons with the Clearys.

 

[frankLauda]

If Brad Arthur returns to Aust then under present circumstances I hope he has nothing to do with the Knights. Not questioning his coaching ability or lack of more to do with Father and Son at same Club.
If young Arthur makes it to first grade let it be on his hard work and ability and let’s not have the old “wouldn’t have made it if his Dad wasn’t Coach.
Not wishing to draw comparisons with the Clearys.

I don’t think FG nrl is the same as under 14/16 junior rugby league. You would think everyone is more professional than that. I would not be dismissing Brad Arthur based on this theory.

 

[listo]

I don’t think FG nrl is the same as under 14/16 junior rugby league. You would think everyone is more professional than that. I would not be dismissing Brad Arthur based on this theory.

I’m not so sure about that. I wasn’t thinking of Cleary’s when I started reading Frank McWilliams’ post, I was thinking of the Flanagan’s

 

[Seano]

I can't agree with the argument that a coach has failed or is a bush league coach if he hasn't won a GF. It's very hard to win a GF by design. The fact that Arthur had teams in the top 8 and more often than not the top 4 for most of his time at the Eels and he did it with a basketcase of a board (probably only eclipsed by the West Tigers for infighting and bad administration) should be enough proof that he coach. *

* I'm not suggesting AOB is going anywhere or that Arthur will be the next Knights coach just that if the position does become vacant they'd be mad not to at least interview Arthur.

 

[HarVeeGee13]

I don’t think it can be said that he ever had a roster which obviously should have won a premiership. Some good forwards, an elite halfback and a very good fullback obviously, but Dylan Brown was very young, his pack was ageing, and they’ve always had big weak links defensively on their edges and in the backline. It’s not a Kevin Walters situation where blowing it was basically malpractice. Maybe they should have won a few more finals games, but they did make that grand final and you can’t take that away from them, and they lost to maybe the best club team ever.

 

[Grandpa Joe]

That’s a poor comment, DB is still heavily involved

Nah I don't think so.

 

[Grandpa Joe]

As Lord said a puppet

Wasn't he there as a similar role under Tinkler and Tinklers money man(Troy someone?) was pulling his strings.

Danny's a great guy but in no way a business guy. Let him mingle with the sponsors and pose for photos good for everyone.

 

[Sarge]

Matt Gidley had the role under Tinkler. Troy Palmer was pulling the strings

 

[Albus Miles]

Danny's a great guy but in no way a business guy. Let him mingle with the sponsors and pose for photos good for everyone.

Bedsy would be perfect to head up the Elite Spine Academy in the Pathways. Johns brothers on the regular. Robbie O.

Great players and all bleed red and blue. Imagine young pathways kids in the spine coming through being taught by Knights legends.

Should have happened a decade ago.

 

[Grandpa Joe]

Bedsy would be perfect to head up the Elite Spine Academy in the Pathways.

Why, what coaching or sports science backgrounds does he have?

He couldn't be less qualified.

We moved on from jobs for the boys in the zero's, professionals only please.

 

[Grandpa Joe]

Matt Gidley had the role under Tinkler. Troy Palmer was pulling the strings

That's the one.

 

[Kurriboy]

I'm hopeful we get BA for 2026 year.

OB hasn't been able to coach us to a top 4, though we have had the team to achieve it.

BA has the runs on the board that he can coach, can make top 4 placings.

Logical next step in development of the club is to upgrade the coach.

 

[Seano]

"Bedsy would be perfect to head up the Elite Spine Academy in the Pathways. Johns brothers on the regular. Robbie O."

Elite Spine Academy ...I mean seriously? Why not call it the "Super Special Number One Best Elite Spine Force Academy" if we're making stuff up....

There's already specialist coaching for specialist positions at the Knights, Joey Johns AFAIK is still a consultant, and Matty doesn't coach. There's no insight here, they're already doing this stuff.

I agree with Gandpa, coaching is a skill that requires training and practice to develop.

BTW. Matty chose the media over coaching for peace of mind.

Matty Johns reveals why he hasn’t moved into an NRL coaching role

"I saw that trait come back in.”

archive.sen.com.au

PS. I'm all for bringing in club/NRL legends to motivate, inspire and develop club culture but every great former player isn't automatically a great coach and every great coach doesn't have to have been a great player AND the Knights already do this stuff (like every other team) on the regular anyway.

PPS. How many examples do we need that TV commentators, no matter how good they were as players typically don't make good coaches (Slater isn't an exception here either as he's an assistant at the Storm and may be the heir apparent if Bellyache ever does retire).