Round 1: Newcastle Knights vs Cronulla Sharks

What is your prediction for this game ??

  • Knights 1-12

    Votes: 19 54.3%

  • Knights 13+

    Votes: 11 31.4%

  • Draw

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Sharks 13+

    Votes: 1 2.9%

  • Sharks 1-12

    Votes: 4 11.4%
  • Total voters
    35
  • Poll closed .
I'm actually not too worried about the result. If it is close, our defence shows an improvement, and we show a willingness to pass left to right and get Ramien involved, I'll know all is right in the world and we are going to be there come September...what is everyone else hoping for from game 1?

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With Sharkies tipped for a top four finish, to be competitive will do me as combinations will improve into the season.
 
Game day!

Sharks by 12-18 in a similar vein of game to the one last night, we'll try and show glimpses but won't have the combinations yet to seriously threaten.
 
Refs didn't blow any penalties last night, will be about two minutes before someone is complaining that the sharks are holding us down in the ruck.
 
slotmachine said:
He's in his best position so hopefully I don't have to.
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I still need counselling after watching him rush out of the line 30+ times last year like a dog when you leave the gate open. His brother Pete was just as bad, how is it a good idea to leave a ten metre gap in your defensive line.
 
Went to the captains run yesterday. Boys looked relaxed and ready. Some nerves there but that's expected. Show time!

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Lord of the Skraelings said:
Barnett can provide spark via a big hit, runs a great line, and can provide a cheeky kick or pass as well.

Guerra is a tacklebot and doesn't have any spark due to age. - Hence the bench.
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Lordie, League has always been Defense based, I find it strange that indisputably our Best Defender is Off the Bench - the only rational reason is that Brown is trying to get a specific balance from the Bench rotation.

Last year there was a distinct lull and disjointedness around the team following the implementation of the forward rotation.

Granted this year we have what appears to be a much more formidable forward rotation, it just needs to be proven and hardened through "game time" before we know conclusively.

Brown has made some tough selection choices only time will tell if they are right, I hope they are for us Knights supporters sake nothing better than a first up win.
 
slotmachine said:
Refs didn't blow any penalties last night, will be about two minutes before someone is complaining that the sharks are holding us down in the ruck.
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Slots, it was an interestly ploy by the refs , in stark contrast to last years first round (where the Refs should have been charged with "abusive use of the Pea") maybe they have heard the pleas from the punters for a free flowing game.

There were definitely times in the ruck where "play on" was called last night which would have been a penalty last year.

For once it was more about the game than about "the Refs look at me !!"
 
Billy said:
They are saying it's the 5th metatarsal - basically the little toe - and he's already had a plate put in and they are hopeful of 4 to 5 weeks.
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The Knights website says it’s a hand/finger injury.


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Newcastle bound! Let’s do this Knights, screw them cheats. Wouldn’t be too fussed if we don’t come away with a win, but would like to see some much improved defence and plenty of desire. Hopefully less penalties too and enough ball getting out to our edges.
 
Owey said:
I'm actually not too worried about the result. If it is close, our defence shows an improvement, and we show a willingness to pass left to right and get Ramien involved, I'll know all is right in the world and we are going to be there come September...what is everyone else hoping for from game 1?

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Click to expand...
I was looking at an article on the head to head match ups for this game (https://www.newcastleknights.com.au...ycW5PqwPVhTowoQHLAhEHfo0JONfAJfvbige0YyKLqew0 Head to head: Metre eaters and kicking gun _....

some of those individual stats match ups do re-enforce my confidence that we have the capability within individuals to match it with the best in the comp BUT...where we need to make the difference is in the team stats this year - and more so than ever that is going to come down to coaching, robust defensive structures, discipline, etc.

I'm not expecting miracles in round 1 because much of this will take a while to gel on the field with so many new players and positional changes but I am keen and excited to see (if we can improve and maintain our discipline in completions as a starting point) how well we can compete for the 80 minutes with the top tier teams based on the quality of the squad we now have at our disposal in 2019.

Round 1 should be a good test
 
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