2025 Witzer Pre-Season Challenge - Round 2 - Knights V Eels - McDonald Jones Stadium - 6:00pm Friday 14 February

Will throw out some thoughts about new signings & prospects in our system about whom there’s been some chat/hype:

- In an all time overreaction to a trial, I am going to predict that Matt Arthur will play 10+ games of State of Origin in his career. I’d leave him in NSW Cup this year to keep building the fitness base (I think he hasn’t been an 80 minute 9 at that level), but he’s insanely advanced for his age at most key aspects of dummy half play. I think there is a real chance he’ll be neck and neck with Blake Mozer for the title of Second Best Hooker (Harry Grant a bridge too far for anyone else due to that extra physicality & running threat he has over everyone).

- McEwen might need a bit more time in Cup too looking at some of his defensive work, but geez, what a weapon. ESL looked a strong prospect too and apparently Manulelua looked good in the earlier game. It’s going to be hard to justify re-signing KPP with prospects like these.

- Said it earlier but I really think Sharpe is going to work at 6. He’s just such a natural, instinctive footy player, and we’re well set up to fit things around him.

- Didn’t see a lot of Hopwood and Votano but Cody looked a little like he was blowing pretty quickly so likely needs a decent run in reggies. Votano didn’t leap off the screen but it seemed like he understood his role. Both firmly “check back in after next pre-season” tier.

- Even factoring in that he was deputising in a role which looked designed for Ponga, I wasn’t very impressed by Pryce. It genuinely surprises me that he’s a “grew up with a footy in my hand” kid because he has issues with some pretty basic decision-making stuff.

- I think McCarthy and Taukamo will both be playable back-ups, so our outside back depth isn’t as dire as I thought.

- Schiller was pretty bleh. Saving himself for real games hopefully.

- Tyrone Thompson looked a lot like his brother, shockingly. May need a bit more time to mould his body shape a bit more into that of an NRL prop but yeah he’ll go good I reckon.
 
Newygirl said:
Not really. That was Sharpe’s first game and he was defending between Cant and McCarthy. I’ll reserve judgement on his defence when gets to play a few games between Lucas and Best.

Crossland could be the best defender in the world but he offers nothing with the ball in hand which is why the team finished last in attack. They couldn’t score points.
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To be fair to Crossland he was our main hooker in 2023 when we had the best attack in the comp after the regular season.

Saying that though I’d take a fit Brailey over Crossland any day, and I like Crossland. I say Crossland will get the 14, but Arthur definitely close.

Edit - apologies just realised you were referring to Crossland at 7 not 9.
 
Finally watched the first half (few thoughts on the whole game)

Gamble definitely outplayed Cogger. Gamblor for Round 1 Halfback.

Don't think Pryce will be at the Knights next year probably back to Super League unless a another club offers him a train and trial.

Hopwood will be a very good player long term but don't expect him to play first grade until next year.

Defence was poor but missing key first grade players that will make a difference.

Sharpe was decent I thought. We have to keep him at 6 now. Will be better for the run.

McEwen will get a taste of first grade this year, was impressed with him when he came on.

Votano is not ready for NRL. Also probably a year away from FG. Got potential though.

Hopefully Arthur long term ends up being the best number 9 the club has seen since Buderus.

Obviously not ideal losing by as much as we did tonight. But I'd rather lose tonight than in Round 1. If we're 0-3 for example then it's alarm bells and time to panic. Also I hope we can sign a decent halfback or two long term under O'Sullivan who I think is the signing we've needed for several years needing a recruitment manager who can actually identify talent.

Get a bit jealous seeing other teams with good halfbacks while we have struggled with this position for a long time.
 
Things I want to see next week:
- Gamble start 7 but with Cogger also getting time with main run on side
- B Jones starting prop with either Leo or J Saf, thinking if this looks good its best for our forward rotation balance.
- Taukamo to get some wing time on right side outside Gags, give him, Schiller & even McCarthy a chance to fight it out.
- Brailey, Arthur & Crossland all to get minutes at 9 with first grade props and halves.
- ESL or McEwen to get some minutes at right second row when the first grade side is playing. See who stands out more between them and KPP.

Locks from the first trial IMO:
- Brailey starts 9.
- Croker finds himself a jersey in the 17.
- Marzhew locked in and look primed.
- McCarthy first choice backup centre and Taukamo for backup wing.
- Friz a lock for 13 or a starting middle role.
 
Sua is not getting much love.
I was very surprised when he got a run in firstgrade last year because he was a long way from ready, but it was a great boost for him and he threw himself into his work in reserve grade. Hastings was using Sua as his go to prop in the last month of reserves and Sua was busting through defences.
He looked physically dominant yesterday.
He is just 20, but he looked like he could give us the same impact as Dsaf was giving us last year already with a lot of upside still.
I don't think he'd make our top 17 yet, but I'd have him just behind Croker and Jones and ahead of Hetherington and Ty Thompson right now.
I'm not surprised recruiters from other clubs are looking at Sua.
 
Billy said:
Sua is not getting much love.
I was very surprised when he got a run in firstgrade last year because he was a long way from ready, but it was a great boost for him and he threw himself into his work in reserve grade. Hastings was using Sua as his go to prop in the last month of reserves and Sua was busting through defences.
He looked physically dominant yesterday.
He is just 20, but he looked like he could give us the same impact as Dsaf was giving us last year already with a lot of upside still.
I don't think he'd make our top 17 yet, but I'd have him just behind Croker and Jones and ahead of Hetherington and Ty Thompson right now.
I'm not surprised recruiters from other clubs are looking at Sua.
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Unfortunately daily telegraph have reported his off to the dolphins on a three year deal.
 
I read tyrone played 40 minutes in the nsw cup trial , makes a little more sense that he looked gassed and off the pace. im assuming the guys who had really limited first grade minutes would of been the same ie hopwood.
 
EASBay17 said:
I read tyrone played 40 minutes in the nsw cup trial , makes a little more sense that he looked gassed and off the pace. im assuming the guys who had really limited first grade minutes would of been the same ie hopwood.
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Both Tyrone and Hopwood were starting props in reserve grade and only had one stint, so both were off before about 4.30 PM and didn't get on the field in firsts till about 7pm (reserve game started at 3.45).
Tyrone looked very good in reserves and Cody looked good enough to play reserve grade this year.
Both probably need to get up to firstgrade speed still.
 
Billy said:
Both Tyrone and Hopwood were starting props in reserve grade and only had one stint, so both were off before about 4.30 PM and didn't get on the field in firsts till about 7pm (reserve game started at 3.45).
Tyrone looked very good in reserves and Cody looked good enough to play reserve grade this year.
Both probably need to get up to firstgrade speed still.
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Any stream available for the cup game?
 
EASBay17 said:
Any stream available for the cup game?
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There is on barTV - they want $20 a month for all the juniors, reserve grade and i think Flegg - or I think it's $9 for 48 hours access - which means you could watch reserve grade trial, all the junior games today and replays of all our junior games so far if you wanted to binge on our season so far.

I just watched the first quarter of the reserve grade trial again and both Thompson and Hopwood must have been told to g as hard as they could for as long as they could because they worked their bums off. Tyrone did the first run of the game and Cody did the 3rd and 5th runs of the first set and we rolled about 60 metres downfield on 5 one out hitups - Thompson, Greacen, Hopwood, Burgess, Hopwood, kick
 
Billy said:
Sua is not getting much love.
I was very surprised when he got a run in firstgrade last year because he was a long way from ready, but it was a great boost for him and he threw himself into his work in reserve grade. Hastings was using Sua as his go to prop in the last month of reserves and Sua was busting through defences.
He looked physically dominant yesterday.
He is just 20, but he looked like he could give us the same impact as Dsaf was giving us last year already with a lot of upside still.
I don't think he'd make our top 17 yet, but I'd have him just behind Croker and Jones and ahead of Hetherington and Ty Thompson right now.
I'm not surprised recruiters from other clubs are looking at Sua.
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i didnt realise he was so young Billy. ill definitely reserve judgement on him for now see what hes like in 2 years time.
 
My takes
Gamble out did Cogger for 7 easily

Hetherington was aggressive but way to many errors/pens

Sharpe looked really good at 6

Frizell really showed he should be out first choice 13 with his hard running and quick legs

Schiller was alright for a guy who had Jones inside him but nothing special we all know he is a lot better than that as we have seen him play very well in the NRL

Jones needs a year in reserve at centre he did not impress at all and even bottomed a chance at a try by juggling the ball during a move.

Pryce was extremely underwhelming at the end of this year move him on I’m sure he will never be a dominant nrl 6 or 1, seems like England/NSW Cup is hos ceiling.

Hopwood came on in a very unfortunate time as when he came in I think we had to defend 4 sets without a attack

Arthur easily shut up people who thinks he is where he is because of his name, he played extremely well, read the game and toke his run when he saw them.

Croker really ripped in and I was surprised to see him bend the line.
 
My thoughts on the trial;
- Gamble and Sharpe obvious picks for our halves
- Marzhew in for a big year
- Schiller already giving me Jenkins vibes
- McEwen close to our best
- Jones and Croker showed they deserve to be in our 17
- Both english boys disappointing, KPP looks like he should be a threat in attack but rarely bends the line or looks threatening
- Friz is one of my fav knights players of all time. Truly proud watching him represent the jersey every time he takes the field
- both hookers looked great


1. Kalyn Ponga
2. James Schiller (only because there's literally no other option)
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Greg Marzhew
6. Fletcher Sharpe
7. Tyson Gamble
8. Brodie Jones
9. Jayden Brailey
10. Jacob Saifiti
11. Dylan Lucas
12. Jermaine McEwen
13. Tyson Frizell

14. Phoenix Crossland
15. Leo Thompson
16. Matt Croker
17. Kai Pearce Paul

Moving forward, I'd be looking at Phoenix as a ball-playing lock. I think it's obvious that its his best position. He already is our best defensive player, he has great ball skills for a forward, he'd be one of our fittest players and has decent speed for a middle. If he put on 2-5kgs over the next 12-18 months I think he could be great there.
 
Schiller will kill it besides Gags. As long as you have pace (ie. Young, Sharpe), Gags will feed you. Only worry is his defence.
 
There was another trial between Knights and Eels played at the centre of excellence today.
It was on barTV.
It was billed as a reserve grade trial but I watched 10 minutes and couldn't pick a single player on either side.
They were ripping in though - trying to impress.
I'd say it was all the guys who trained with reserve grade staff.
 
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