Story on tonight's game: bring it on!! Come on Newcastle - one more big effort before the bye - you can do it!!!
Also some news on the whole Fairleigh thing ...
Also some news on the whole Fairleigh thing ...
Tough nut a marked man
Steve Jancetic
June 03, 2006
BULLDOGS prop Mark O'Meley reckons he's starting to find out what it's like to stand in the shoes of Brisbane veteran Shane Webcke.
But don't think for a moment that O'Meley is comparing himself to the Broncos warhorse, who will go down as one of the greatest props of all time when he finally hangs up the boots at the end of the season.
It's just that as an incumbent NSW and Australian front-rower, O'Meley says he is learning to deal with being the man rival props want to get over the top of if they are to show their worth as an NRL forward.
Tonight at Telstra Stadium will be no different, with Newcastle's foursome of Craig Smith, Adam Woolnough, Josh Perry and Luke Davico all looking to cut O'Meley and representative teammate Willie Mason down to size.
When the two sides met in Newcastle earlier this year, Perry was outstanding as the Knights dished out a 46-22 flogging in round 3. He admitted afterwards the thought of getting the jump on his rivals for a NSW jumper had been a large motivation going into the contest.
"It's a challenge, guys always wanting to show what they can do against you, but it seems to be happening on a weekly basis," O'Meley said.
"We sort of know what it's been like for Webcke. Over the last five to eight years, he's always had everyone coming at him.
"The Newcastle forwards have been going pretty well. Josh is on the bench this week and Steve Simpson's been in great form.
"We know we've got to be on our game to match it with them."
The Knights are nowhere near the form they were in when they gave the Dogs a hiding earlier this year, with several players, most notably star playmaker Andrew Johns, complaining of feeling tired after last week's loss to St George Illawarra which saw Newcastle slip to fourth on the ladder.
Next week's bye can't come soon enough for coach Michael Hagan and his squad, but he is hoping the return from injury of second-rower Clint Newton (eye socket) and winger Anthony Quinn (back) provides enough of a spur for one last push before the break.
"It's good to have some fresh faces back on deck," Hagan said.
"At this time of year injuries start to creep in. We've had to reshuffle in recent weeks so Anthony will bring some stability back into the side."
The Bulldogs too will be looking to shake off a lethargic performance against Brisbane last Saturday, in which O'Meley, Mason, skipper Andrew Ryan and Nate Myles backed up three days after Origin I.
"We were a bit flat. We travelled up the day of the game, something we haven't done before," O'Meley said.
"But credit to the Broncos, they played us pretty smart, targeted our edges, and the forwards didn't really get into the game."
From: http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/story/0,20797,19347294-5003409,00.html
Knights deny Smith Jr link
By Barry Toohey
June 3, 2006
NEWCASTLE Knights chief executive Ken Conway yesterday dismissed suggestions the son of incoming coach Brian Smith will be recruited to the club as an assistant next season.
Smith's son Rohan, who is an assistant coach under Tony Rea at London Harlequins, has been linked with the Knights following the club's decision not to re-sign Premier League coach David Fairleigh.
But Conway said that he had no knowledge of the move.
"I'm absolutely astounded where people get these things from," he said.
"It's not true."
Asked whether there was a chance of it happening after the club handed Smith the right to select his own support staff, Conway replied: "He [Smith] has got the right to say who he works with but any staff he wants to bring on board would be subject to ratification by our board.
"I don't know his son. I've had discussions with Brian as recently as two days ago and he has no one in mind for the role at this point in time."
Fairleigh, who was a final contender for the first grade job before Smith was given the appointment, said he was stunned when told he was not wanted during a phone conversation with the incoming coach a week ago.
He believed the club had given assurances to all existing football staff their positions would be safe under Smith.
"The fact that I'm not wanted by Brian Smith - that's not an issue to me," Fairleigh said.
"Nobody is entitled to a position. That's his prerogative, he is the head coach and he's entitled to have the people he wants to have.
"What I am disappointed about is that the guarantees and assurances that were given, to not only me but to a number of staff across the board - I'm disappointed they weren't acted on."
Conway denies any assurances were given to Fairleigh or anyone else following Smith's appointment.
Fairleigh has already been linked to a possible move to Parramatta with current Knights coach Michael Hagan next season.
Smith, who quit the Eels dramatically after round 10, is currently in England on a short-term voluntary stint with his old club Bradford.
From: http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,19342314-23214,00.html
Dumped Fairleigh says Knights broke their word
Greg Prichard
June 3, 2006
NEWCASTLE's premier league coach, David Fairleigh, and the club's management have become involved in a war of words after next year's Knights coach, Brian Smith, decided not to include Fairleigh on his support staff.
The Newcastle board met on Wednesday night and issued a media release on Thursday, saying it was Smith's responsibility to appoint his staff and as a result of discussions between Smith and Fairleigh there would not be an offer to Fairleigh for next year.
Fairleigh had been a candidate for the first-grade job that will be vacated by Michael Hagan at the end of this season, but the Knights board chose Smith over him.
Speaking yesterday morning, Fairleigh said he was upset the Newcastle management had not honoured what he described as guarantees regarding employment for next year.
"What I am disappointed about is that the guarantees and assurances that were given, to not only me but to a number of staff across the board, I'm disappointed that they weren't acted upon," Fairleigh said. "Sooner or later, your word has got to count for something.
"The fact that I'm not here and not wanted [next year], that's fine. That's not an issue for me. I'll move on and get a job somewhere else. But you can't look people in the eye and give people assurances and not act upon that.
"It wasn't only me, but there were certain things, without going into too much detail, that we were guaranteed, that were strict guidelines upon the appointment of Brian. Whatever that deal was, that's their business, but what was relayed to us is contrary to what's happened and that's disappointing."
Fairleigh, who will continue as premier league coach until the end of the season and try to line up a future coaching job elsewhere in the meantime, said it was Smith's prerogative to choose his own staff. But, he added: "Brian has spoken to me directly and [we] had a short conversation and [he] knew firmly where I stood."
Newcastle chief executive Ken Conway issued a media release yesterday afternoon, addressing Fairleigh's comments.
"No contract negotiations had commenced between David and myself," Conway said. "No director made a promise to David regarding his future at the Knights.
"I explained to all support staff that Brian said he was not bringing an entourage from Parramatta and he was happy to work with the existing team subject to meeting with them. David had that meeting and it clearly did not go well. Subsequent discussions have led to the decision not to offer David a contract for 2007.
"All other senior support staff recently met with Brian and will be retained. I am in the process of negotiating with those staff currently off contract."
It is possible Fairleigh may end up on Hagan's staff at Parramatta next year.
Meanwhile, the NRL has struck a deal with the NSW Government for the grand final to continue being played at Telstra Stadium until at least 2012.
From: http://www.smh.com.au/news/league/d...roke-their-word/2006/06/02/1148956542528.html