NRL Round 23 - Knights Vs Panthers - 6:00pm Friday 8th August - McDonald Jones Stadium

A bye, extra weeks break, overcome injuries, fresh focus, fit and refreshed, spoon to be avoided and time to align some incoming players to the system.
Should be right fitness wise excluding Ponga, Sharpe Lucas with hopefully Best ok.
Serious time to consider team looking to 2026 but keeping a strong effort that fans expect.
Some changes need to be made with others anticipated due to bringing on younger inexperienced players for 2026.
Think we need to keep playing Leo, prop is a week spot, KPP has played well and might hold his spot due to Lucas injury but we have a few knocking at the door such as McEwen who has impressed.
Brailey could play less minutes with Arthur being given a spot.
Centre is a worry with Best out and Gags filling in at f/b, we got Schiller thinking centre in future so give him a go, McCarthy looks good but needs more time. If Best is,ok then Hunt for Marzhew, give him a break in Cuo.
Gamble copped a bit from comments on here but Hastings is gone so he deserves to be 6 and the other Arthur could be considered for 7 if signed for 2026, Cogger to Cup.
Would consider playing Croker and Jones in Cup to allow Arthur, Frizell on bench along with the likes of Crouch and ESL.
Players that should be in Cup as leaving are Hetherington, Hastings we have suitable and at least equal in up and coming players and others such as KPP could play reduced time.

Gagai, our centres v Raiders had ordinary games making Gagai resigning a must and our lack of experienced Props/middles makes Frizell the same
 
1. D Gagai
2. G Marzhew
3. K Pearce-Paul
4. F Hunt
5. D Young
6. T Gamble
7. J Cogger
8. J Saifiti
9. M Arthur
10. B Jones
11. J McEwen
12. ESL
13. P Crossland

14. J Brailey
15. L Thompson
16. T Frizell
17. M Croker

I think it's time to start preparing for next year, ESL & McEwen are going to be fighting out KPP's vacant back row spot. So let's see them do it while Best is out and KPP can fill that gap. M Arthur is gonna be playing a lot next year so lets get him in there with some big minutes but still getting use out of Brailey while he's here. Leo is gone next year too so lets look at who our other starter will be, still utilise him with good minutes off the bench plus with him and Friz coming on as impact, might help us from having a mid game purple patch as we do.
 
Junior said:
1. D Gagai
2. G Marzhew
3. K Pearce-Paul
4. F Hunt
5. D Young
6. T Gamble
7. J Cogger
8. J Saifiti
9. M Arthur
10. B Jones
11. J McEwen
12. ESL
13. P Crossland

14. J Brailey
15. L Thompson
16. T Frizell
17. M Croker

I think it's time to start preparing for next year, ESL & McEwen are going to be fighting out KPP's vacant back row spot. So let's see them do it while Best is out and KPP can fill that gap. M Arthur is gonna be playing a lot next year so lets get him in there with some big minutes but still getting use out of Brailey while he's here. Leo is gone next year too so lets look at who our other starter will be, still utilise him with good minutes off the bench plus with him and Friz coming on as impact, might help us from having a mid game purple patch as we do.
Click to expand...
ESL has made the move to front row and it’s permanently I heard
 
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Seems like AOB can't win, his halves are awful. Neither Hastings nor Cogger would be playing first grade anywhere else. And Gamble, whilst he has been limited by injuries, has also been awful. And I know Gamble gets a lot of love from Knights fans, especially for his competitiveness, but I'd happily see him and Marz shopped next season to the ESL

I'm happy to see Arthur get a run, who knows, we may have the bargain 7 we need for next season.
 
Seano said:
Seems like AOB can't win, his halves are awful. Neither Hastings nor Cogger would be playing first grade anywhere else. And Gamble, whilst he has been limited by injuries, has also been awful. And I know Gamble gets a lot of love from Knights fans, especially for his competitiveness, but I'd happily see him and Marz shopped next season to the ESL

I'm happy to see Arthur get a run, who knows, we may have the bargain 7 we need for next season.
Click to expand...
I dont disagree with the idea that if OB had first class halves he may be considered a first class coach. I respect that consideration.

However absolutist, after 6 years, if the coach is unable to produce or procure the key ingredients to their broader strategy, perhaps they arent fit to command the faith that success will eventuate, given enough time or fortuity.
 
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