Smith gives Simpson a roving commission
Greg Prichard
March 1, 2007
THE accent, as always, when it comes to Newcastle, is on halfback Andrew Johns and how he performs, but there are sub plots that will also be important elements of the team's story this season and one of those involves Steve Simpson.
The second-rower has headed more and more in the direction of prop in the past couple of seasons, but the plan now is for him to take a step back towards the style that won him his considerable reputation. Simpson is one of those unselfish players who probably works too hard for his own good. He is a terrific runner out wide, but the huge amount of work he does in defence sometimes blunts the attacking side of his game as the match wears on.
The representative star thought it was time to make an adjustment, and, to his delight, so, too, did new Knights coach Brian Smith. The result is that Simpson will now temper his work rate, with the aim of livening up his attack all over again.
"There were times in the last couple of years when we had a lot of injuries and I filled in a fair bit at prop," Simpson said. "So I was doing a lot more work in close in defence.
"The result was that I was running out of energy in attack and didn't have much left at the back end of games. I spoke to Brian about possibly playing a bit wider and as it turned out he was thinking along the same lines."
Johns was known for often taking charge when things broke down during ballwork at Knights training sessions and pointing out how and why the malfunction occurred.
But the hands-on coaching approach from Smith has taken that responsibility out of the veteran playmaker's hands and the Herald understands Johns has appreciated that development.
Simpson said Smith had challenged the team, as individuals, to improve their reading of the play and not depend totally on the decision-making of Johns and young five-eighth Jarrod Mullen.
"Brian has given us a lot to think about," Simpson said. "In the past, we left it to the halves to decide which way we went in attack, but Brian wants the rest of us to think more about where we should be positioning ourselves. That way, whether it's Joey or Jarrod with the ball in his hands, their options should be better."
Simpson said Johns was up for a big season.
"I haven't seen him this keen to get out there and play a game for a long time," Simpson said.
Simpson was also excited about Mullen, who is set to become a regular starter this season, and former five-eighth Kurt Gidley in his switch to fullback, after getting a taste there last season.
IN A NUTSHELL
BEST LINE-UP
1 Kurt Gidley
2 James McManus
3 George Carmont
4 Adam MacDougall
5 Akulia Uate
6 Jarrod Mullen
7 Andrew Johns
13 Daniel Abraham
12 Clint Newton
11 Steve Simpson
10 Adam Woolnough
9 Danny Buderus
8 Josh Perry
Interchange
14 Reegan Tanner
15 Cory Patterson
16 Daniel Tolar
17 Mitchell Sargent
PLAYER WHO MUST FIRE
Adam MacDougall: There will be some inexperience among the outside backs, with a couple of rookies set to get the nod on the wings, so the vast experience of former representative star MacDougall in the centres will be critical. He must show the way out wide.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Akulia Uate: They reckon this 19-year-old winger has the flair of Joe Rokocoko, the finishing ability of Darren Albert and the natural talent of Noa Nadruku. If all that is true, he will be a sensation. Hopefully, he won't let other people's expectations throw him off his game.
2006 FINISH
Fourth in the regular season. Eliminated in second week of finals.
BETTING
(TAB Sportsbet)
$17 to win premiership, $1.85 to make top eight.
IF THEY WERE A MOVIE
Apocalypse Now. Journey of discovery with new coach at the helm. Many of the supporting cast are talents in their own right, but, in the end, all the focus is on the star player's performance.
From:
http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/s...ving-commission/2007/02/28/1172338707521.html
