NRL Round 25 - Knights Vs Sea Eagles - 3:00pm Saturday, 22nd of August - McDonald Jones Stadium

Barry Toohey when asked several days ago why there has been no further news on Frizell resigning stated that it’s “a waiting game”. Could mean either the availability of additional money or a top 30 spot. My understanding from Toohey is that all top 30 spots are currently taken for next season, as he was also asked whether the recent medical retirement of Will Sullivan opened up a spot and he said it’s already been taken.
I think it’s probably both. Need to move someone who’s on a reasonable salary, like Schiller or Matt Arthur or something. There isn’t really a reason for him to keep playing outside of, he’s never even played in a prelim let alone a grand final, and this looks like the best chance he’ll have short of moving the family to Penrith. But still for a player of his stature, asking him to play for minimum wage is an insult.
 
Sad I won’t get to see big Francis play live this weekend, but that’s about as good of a side we’ve had all year minus Gagai, Brown and Lucas.
 
Our marketing/social media work has come along leaps and bounds this year. Finally getting to a point that we deserve. Lets see what the membership packs are like next year though :p
NRL has a lot of control over membership packs, so they are mostly standardised across the league these days.
 
Even just having a bit of a dig through https://www.nrlshop.com/ the Knights seem to have the fewest items listed. Most clubs I looked at had 90+ items; the Knights seem to have only in the 60s.

The variety and wow factor of our merch isn't anything to write home about either.

yeah I've found this down the years, although the 2023 hoodie still had thumb holes which was unreal

then they released the following seasons range and it was gone 🙄
 
The variety and wow factor of our merch isn't anything to write home about either.
Yeah it's super disappointing isn't it. Even a few of the things I got a couple of months ago (mugs, scarf) has been sold out since. The bobbleheads also look pretty great but they've been sold out since.
Still available at JB for those who want one while they have it.
 
Even just having a bit of a dig through https://www.nrlshop.com/ the Knights seem to have the fewest items listed. Most clubs I looked at had 90+ items; the Knights seem to have only in the 60s.

The variety and wow factor of our merch isn't anything to write home about either.
Going of what I can see using the link only around 6 clubs have 90+ the Knights have 70.

The worst few are Warriors (59), Tigers (57), Dolphins (58) and well obviously Bears with high 20s but that’s to be expected

On a phone if you go to the “search by teams” and click on one you can see exactly how many products they have on the store
 
Can understand the Warriors being lower, too, given they're based in another country. Phins are a newer club, so that's understandable as well...the Tigers are a basket case...as a joint venture, they should have heaps of kit on offer.

Still would like to see more and better from the Knights. I'm still wearing my 2025 members cap because it's the last one I really liked (and we've been winning consistently since I started wearing it again so I'm not taking it off until the season ends lol).
 
Fun fact, our three losses at home have been against Warriors, Panthers and Roosters. And well the less said about the Roosters game the better.

Uphill battle but would really love that top 4 spot, would even take 5th
 
Fun fact, our three losses at home have been against Warriors, Panthers and Roosters. And well the less said about the Roosters game the better.

Uphill battle but would really love that top 4 spot, would even take 5th
Im really interested to see how we play against the warriors, i wouldnt be suprised to see us play a real basic game and not really show our hand given theres a chance we may have to play them in the finals. I also think come finals time we may see some shape we havnt seen either. I keep thinking back to the comment (i cant recall who said it) where holbrook instructed the players to show nothing vs the bulldogs in that trial game, i just get the feeling he has some stuff up his sleeve.
 
Yeah it was funny watching the Sydney media react to that Bulldogs trial game *checks Points For

It soured an otherwise positive night for the Bulldogs (injuries), but the same could not be said for the Knights, who completed just 27 of 43 sets in the shut-out.

“It’s a little bit embarrassing for Newcastle and I know it’s just a trial but I think the basic skills have been on show for Newcastle or lack thereof,” Greg Alexander said on Fox League.

Dylan Brown is going to be an easy target for critics after he signed a record-breaking deal to join the Knights, and the early signs are concerning with the Kiwis superstar unable to fix the worst attack from 2025.

The Knights struggled to score points last season and it looks like it’ll take a while for them to sort out some of those issue after they were held scoreless at home

Former Knights coach Adam O’Brien had some tough moments in the Hunter, but he was all smiles in the box in his new role as a Bulldogs assistant. -
LOL

The early signs are not good for Newcastle who have to open the season against the Cowboys who look like they could be one of the best attacking teams in 2026.
Cowboys middle of the pack for points scored...Knights 4th (one point behind dolphins)
 
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That’s a great read and I love the “I know it’s only a trial” tactic right before they act like it’s a actual game.

It’s like people that say “I don’t want to make any excuses” right before making seven.
 
Yeah I stopped commenting and caring too much about trials ages ago. I'd rather guys just get through a game unscathed that's all.

Same goes for pre-seasons in any sports, you watch a bit to scratch the itch after not watched any for months. But with that said I didn't mind the mini competitive nature of the 9s, was an entertaining brand and kept me entertained throughout the whole weekend of the tournament.

And of course in 2001 pretty sure we had 50 put on us by Penrith, and well we all know how that season turned out...

If we have a crap season (been many lol) pre-season form (regardless of those results) is less then 1% of the reason lol
 
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