Round 11: Newcastle Knights vs Canterbury Bulldogs

[Alex]

If they are resting someone to get King a game, I'd imagine they'd rest Guerra and put Sione or Barnett in his spot. That would just about mean that only Klemmer hasn't had any time off.

If King plays it will be at the expense of Saulo.

 

[Billy]

King has always played a very different role in reserve grade to his role under Brown in firstgrade.
I Imagine O'Brien will not have him only doing defence.
Everyone else has improved a lot, so I don't know why King wouldn't have too.

 

[mozza]

Whenever I hear a player described as ‘training the house down’ I automatically expect disappointment.

It’s the Rugby League equivalent of hitting them well in the nets.
When I hear ‘training the house down’ I immediately think of Carl Webb.

 

[Kurriboy]

King deserves a shot under OB to see where he is at and if he has improved before a contract decision.

Looking forward to seeing what he can produce.

 

[R_A]

It’s the Rugby League equivalent of hitting them well in the nets.
When I hear ‘training the house down’ I immediately think of Carl Webb.

Same. It was a career killer for him those words.

 

[Kim1ill]

I’ve got a good feeling about this weekend.
No injuries last week and Watson and Barnett will be better for the run. Ponga with some confidence and a nice narrative around J Saf’s re-signing.

I’ve def been wrong before tho [emoji85]


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[Billy]

It's an important milestone for the team's development that they ice this team.
Everyone knows that we are the far better side, but if you don't show up to play, anyone can beat you.
The team needs to find the motivation to put a poor side to the sword.

 

[JOJO82]

The boys should be made to watch the cowboys game to remind them what happens if we rock up asleep and expect an easy win.

 

[Grandpa Joe]

Terrific call @JOJO82 probably still some bad bloody from us pinching Klemmer from them as well.

 

[Matty James]

Ponga’s 50th in red and blue to so he show be primed for a big one.

 

[Billy]

Interesting take from Timana Tahu on "over the black dot".
He thinks that Tex Hoy was "cramping Ponga's style" by running the lines Ponga should have been running and the reason Ponga came good was Hoy was out.

 

[Grandpa Joe]

I can see Hoy moving on, his to good to be 18th man or a 30 minute bench player and we already have 2 gun playmakers in Ponga and Pearce, a 3rd as we say just mess's with our structure, hence why Mann is the a great fit.

 

[packo]

I can see Hoy moving on, his to good to be 18th man or a 30 minute bench player and we already have 2 gun playmakers in Ponga and Pearce, a 3rd as we say just mess's with our structure, hence why Mann is the a great fit.

Yep, he won’t stick around.

 

[Treadly]

Sad to say but I agree, unless we don't resign Watson.

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[Billy]

Hoy will stick around, but they'll probably find a role for him that fits in with the team better.

 

[Ak-47]

Top 4 teams win back to back, simple need to get some winning streaks going
Dont see the fuss in Hoy to be honest, the kid stepped up when needed which is good, but nothing special or worth getting into a bidding war if another club throws overs for him.

 

[Kurriboy]

We don't have two gun playmakers, our halfback is a sometimes on fire, more often regular playmaker and sometimes very average playmaker.

Sure, we have a brilliant fullback but can't put it all on Ponga.

Mann is a good player but it's still my opinion we need a proper 3rd playmaker in a traditional 5/8 role to attack left and right effectively, with Ponga chiming in when he sees an opportunity, or free him up to be the support player. A few times last game Fitz got hit the line and if a support player was streaming through with him, he could have got a ball away for a try. He was looking for someone, nobody there.

Ponga was I assume in field waiting to be the playmaker.

OB came from Roosters to us and they had Cronk and Keary there, and then Flannigan and Keary, with teddy doing what he does.

I'm surprised OB isn't keen to replicate the two genuine playmakers here!

 

[knightime]

Hoy will stay IMO. Guessing that he’ll move to wing outside Best once Lee’s contract is up, or he’ll move to 14 if Watson goes. I’m a fan of Watson, but Hoy is more of a ball player who can kick and goal-kick as well. Long-term, I think we’ll see him replace Mann at 6.

 

[Billy]

Interesting clash in the Presidents cup game Maitland V Dubbo
7 for Maitland Brock Lamb
7 for Dubbo Bayden Searle
Very different style players - Lamb is all about classy touches, and Searle is all about 100% effort and high workrate.

 

[Kurriboy]

Have a look back at our highlights, Ponga in most cases is getting the ball in an 5/8 or halfback position and running laterally looking for options, like a half.

Whilst we are playing mann Ponga is suffering for mine, not developing as he needs to in the fullback position, accelerating his move to the halves. Which is fine if that is the plan, to move Ponga to the halves next season. Hoy to fullback. I'm all for that.

But if not, we are wasting our time with Mann at 5/8.

With a creative 5/8, he and Pearce could share the playmaking, kicking role, and Ponga could inject himself where he needs to. And that would be a potent attacking team, premiership contenders.

Now, If we aren't contenders with our current structure, it's because we aren't creative enough. We have the forwards, we have strike, we lack creativity to make it happen.