2023 Preseason thread.

Good Times said:
So? It's 4 months until first game kicks off. If the boys want to enjoy a night out on some of their time off, then I personally hope the lads rip in.
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Nothing brings blokes together more than adversity. (Army camp). And then afterwards getting stuck into a heap of frothy coffees together. Hopefully the boys bond. Hopefully it helps the. Want to play for each other.
 
Michael Dobson talks about the lower grades.
Nothing in there I didn't know.
He says he has been appointing the coaches, but doesn't give any names.
I notice last year's Flegg coach, Betteridge, was in the Herald the other day saying he will coach Newcastle Rebels this year (the real NRL rep team), so I guess he's out.

www.newcastleknights.com.au

Dobson on pathways update and planning for new season

Meet and get to know our new Head of Pathways, Michael Dobson. The former Newcastle Knight provided an update on the pathways system and defined the current structure at the Club.
www.newcastleknights.com.au www.newcastleknights.com.au
 
Ponga does look like he's bulking up. Hasn't been missing leg day.
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Despite common conceptions Ponga's never had a problem with size. He's played at mid 90kgs since about 20 years old. That's heavier than players like Kurt Mann, and nearly every hooker in the comp.

His problem is something else. Putting 5kgs of weight on might help slightly with whiplash, but it won't stop the pain. The extra weight will slow him down but I guess the coaching staff view it a necessary for him to play in the front line.
 
waynesworld said:
He just gets dogshotted more than any other player I’ve watched play for us. Only a few of his concussions have come from accidental incidents most are from foul play so not sure moving from 1 to 6 will have any difference.
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James McManus was even worse in that department I reckon. That didn't end well ...
 
See Parr has come out saying Ponga needs to own the team more and the team performance.

Plays origin like he wants that victory more than any other game. Stating Tedesco plays every week like that.

Fair throw of the Gauntlet it seems.

Up to Ponga to bring the A game week in week out and earn his pay.

Certainly sounds like Parr agrees with skeletor about Ponga cruising.
 
Kurriboy said:
See Parr has come out saying Ponga needs to own the team more and the team performance.

Plays origin like he wants that victory more than any other game. Stating Tedesco plays every week like that.

Fair throw of the Gauntlet it seems.

Up to Ponga to bring the A game week in week out and earn his pay.

Certainly sounds like Parr agrees with skeletor about Ponga cruising.
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Who is skeletor?
 
Kurriboy said:
See Parr has come out saying Ponga needs to own the team more and the team performance.

Plays origin like he wants that victory more than any other game. Stating Tedesco plays every week like that.

Fair throw of the Gauntlet it seems.

Up to Ponga to bring the A game week in week out and earn his pay.

Certainly sounds like Parr agrees with skeletor about Ponga cruising.
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I’m glad someone’s finally come out and said it to him, didn’t seem like the coach was ever going to do it.
 
When is Ponga signed until?

If he cant become the player we need him to be over the next two years we need to look at cutting our losses I think.
 
Kurriboy said:
When is Ponga signed until?

If he cant become the player we need him to be over the next two years we need to look at cutting our losses I think.
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He signed a five year contract starting next year, so he’s with us until the end of 2027.

Unless we find out in a few months that it’s crammed with 5000 different player options, of course.
 
Kurriboy said:
See Parr has come out saying Ponga needs to own the team more and the team performance.

Plays origin like he wants that victory more than any other game. Stating Tedesco plays every week like that.

Fair throw of the Gauntlet it seems.

Up to Ponga to bring the A game week in week out and earn his pay.

Certainly sounds like Parr agrees with skeletor about Ponga cruising.
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Similar gauntlet to the one he threw down to a young JT during his ratbag days. Good to hear.
 
waynesworld said:
He just gets dogshotted more than any other player I’ve watched play for us. Only a few of his concussions have come from accidental incidents most are from foul play so not sure moving from 1 to 6 will have any difference.
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It's the step he has. Players get beaten by him and they throw their arm out as a reaction. I'm not sure they mean to, it's so quick. But yeah the NRL needs to come down more heavily on that.
 
Kurriboy said:
When is Ponga signed until?

If he cant become the player we need him to be over the next two years we need to look at cutting our losses I think.
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I really hope this is not the case. IMO he definitely has the potential, and the club wouldn't just through a multi-million 5 year deal at him if they didn't think so. He has proven on the big stage he is a superstar.

Getting injured, and having concussions have hampered his progress. You could argue, it's similar to Tommy Turbo now. He was arguably the best F/B in the game, then he got injured again.
That's why Teddy is the actual best in the game because not only is he a super talent, he's consistent and very rarely gets injured. I honestly believe Ponga can be as good if he can stay on the field. I'm pretty sure Teddy had a lot of injuries early on in his career also.
 
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