NSW Cup 2026

Stats are in for the game.
Kyle McCarthy topped the fantasy points with 72. Topped runs with 19 - 3rd for run metres behind Manu and Votano with 162, second for post contact metres, made 20 tackles with 0 missed, 1 line break, 1 try assist, 1 try.

Francis looked to be having a quiet game till the last 15 minutes - ended up running 175 metes with 72 post contact.

Graham made 52 tackles.

Brodie Jones played 73 minutes at prop and looked strong all game.

Hunt made 9 errors - next highest was Gamble with 4.
 
6 man bench issue. Needing him on the bench to cover backline injuries. Doesn’t play as much. Becomes a little rusty.

I don’t mind that he’s a bit rocks and diamonds in NRL. He’s learning. He’s developing.

But, you kind of hope he’d go back to NSW Cup and play really well. 9 errors is horrible for anybody at any level.

Perhaps not quite dropping worthy, but it’s definitely a mark against him. Time tells if it’s a blip, or a habit.
 
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bremsstrahlung said:
6 man bench issue. Needing him on the bench to cover backline injuries. Doesn’t play as much. Becomes a little rusty.

I don’t mind that he’s a bit rocks and diamonds in NRL. He’s learning. He’s developing.

But, you kind of hope he’d go back to NSW Cup and play really well. 9 errors is horrible for anybody at any level.

Perhaps not quite dropping worthy, but it’s definitely a mark against him. Time tells if it’s a blip, or a habit.
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I reckon the nrl will fix the schedule eventually to make sure guys are getting game time. To make the most of the six man bench you really need a guy who can cover the outside backs. The Knights might have to be a bit proactive with this and rotate the outside back bench player week to week.
 
Owey said:
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I reckon the nrl will fix the schedule eventually to make sure guys are getting game time. To make the most of the six man bench you really need a guy who can cover the outside backs. The Knights might have to be a bit proactive with this and rotate the outside back bench player week to week.
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With Gagai absolutely confirmed to be gone (I know the knights said there was no offer for a while…) it 100% makes sense to rotate a few candidates through.

I’d like to see McCarthy, Winter, Votano and Hunt rotated through.

Helps to integrate them into the team, helps them identify areas to work on, helps avoid going weeks without game time.

Obviously this is only if we deem them “ready”. Last thing we need is chucking somebody in, hooking them and ruining their confidence forever. But on the other hand, if we are hoping one of them plays a full season of NRL next year, I’d like to see what they can offer now.
 
bremsstrahlung said:
With Gagai absolutely confirmed to be gone (I know the knights said there was no offer for a while…) it 100% makes sense to rotate a few candidates through.

I’d like to see McCarthy, Winter, Votano and Hunt rotated through.

Helps to integrate them into the team, helps them identify areas to work on, helps avoid going weeks without game time.

Obviously this is only if we deem them “ready”. Last thing we need is chucking somebody in, hooking them and ruining their confidence forever. But on the other hand, if we are hoping one of them plays a full season of NRL next year, I’d like to see what they can offer now.
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This makes complete sense, but people in high places may not want to give a debut just for the purpose of rotating players??
But how can they know otherwise?
 
Defence wins games said:
This makes complete sense, but people in high places may not want to give a debut just for the purpose of rotating players??
But how can they know otherwise?
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Winter is the only one not to debut yet amongst those four. And realistically your outside back is only there as injury cover, doesn't play otherwise. I think it is much better then having a guy not playing for months on end.
 
Yesterday they started Hunt in the second row and moved him to centre after halftime.
They started McCarthy at centre and moved him to second row after halftime.
Both played 80 minutes.

Hunt - 9 runs - McCarthy 19 runs

Hunt - 47 run metres - McCarthy 162 run metres

Hunt - 21 post contact metres - McCarthy 63 post contact metres

Hunt - 0 line breaks - McCarthy 1 line break

Hunt - 0 try assists - McCarthy 1 try assist

Hunt - 0 trys - McCarthy 1 try

Hunt - 22 tackles 2 missed - McCarthy 26 tackles 0 missed.

Hunt - 9 errors - McCarthy 0 errors

Hunt - 28 fantasy points - McCarthy 72 fantasy points.

I don't know if they deliberately matched them up against each other in the week McCarthy confirmed he is staying for next year, but if they did, I know who won.
 
1st placed Penrith have lost to Saint George.
They are now only 3 points ahead of us.
We have 4 loses and they have 2 loses and a draw.
In short, if we can keep winning, we just need Penrith to stumble to a few more loses to pull off a minor premiership.
 
jamesgould said:
Can rotate a few options in first grade next year if we’re still not sure. Would be pointless to do it this year while we have Gagai.
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Yeh think Gagai is by far the best option there now for this season.
I meant rotate that backline coverage spot on the bench.
And if there’s an injury share it around. But I do agree, I dont wanna hand out FG jerseys like participation awards.
 
Personally I’d keep Winter always in cup as I want him to get as much reps as possible before the pre season next year and I’d just rotate McCarthy/Schiller and Votano to cover Hunts bench spot
 
Billy said:
Yesterday they started Hunt in the second row and moved him to centre after halftime.
They started McCarthy at centre and moved him to second row after halftime.
Both played 80 minutes.

Hunt - 9 runs - McCarthy 19 runs

Hunt - 47 run metres - McCarthy 162 run metres

Hunt - 21 post contact metres - McCarthy 63 post contact metres

Hunt - 0 line breaks - McCarthy 1 line break

Hunt - 0 try assists - McCarthy 1 try assist

Hunt - 0 trys - McCarthy 1 try

Hunt - 22 tackles 2 missed - McCarthy 26 tackles 0 missed.

Hunt - 9 errors - McCarthy 0 errors

Hunt - 28 fantasy points - McCarthy 72 fantasy points.

I don't know if they deliberately matched them up against each other in the week McCarthy confirmed he is staying for next year, but if they did, I know who won.
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Well, that just about says it all, doesn’t it?
 
Maybe I went off of McCarthy too early cause he got thrown to the wolves in a couple of poor seasons for the club. He’s been one of our standout backs so far this season in Cup and putting up fairly consistent numbers week to week. If Best or Gagai miss any further games this year I’d be giving McCarthy some more game time and see if it transitions to NRL. He’s obviously backed himself by taking up his player option too.
 
MattyM said:
Maybe I went off of McCarthy too early cause he got thrown to the wolves in a couple of poor seasons for the club. He’s been one of our standout backs so far this season in Cup and putting up fairly consistent numbers week to week. If Best or Gagai miss any further games this year I’d be giving McCarthy some more game time and see if it transitions to NRL. He’s obviously backed himself by taking up his player option too.
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Must be happy to play a bit of back row
 
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