Round 18: Newcastle Knights vs Sydney Roosters

What is your prediction for this game ??

  • Knights 13+

    Votes: 2 15.4%

  • Knights 1-12

    Votes: 4 30.8%

  • Draw

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Roosters 1-12

    Votes: 2 15.4%

  • Roosters 13+

    Votes: 5 38.5%
  • Total voters
    13
  • Poll closed .
If we can get to the finals with all available players. We will give it a good shake.

I think There is a bit more than meets the eye with OBI. Lee gets a blow out, Lino and Pearce get another week. Ponga doesn’t get destroyed. Barnett cools his heals. I reckon Tuala will get next week off with Best in. Maybe Mann for Randall.

By not forcing your best 17 in the field every week, I think it’s created a great sense of belonging for the players, especially the fringe players, and they’ve all stepped up, this then rubs off on everyone and creates a good mood. Sounds stupid but someone like King scoring a try, is a boost in the arm to others.
 
The way OBi was talking id be suprised if Best plays before the finals OBi hasn't been confident about Best at all .
 
I like this side a lot.

I'm glad we've given Sione another week & Ponga the week off. You just know the Roosters will be headhunting.

Pearce and Lino will finally have to stand up, they don't have Ponga to do all the attacking work for them.

Excited to see Hoy get a full 80 minute game, as long as he does his job I'll be happy.
 
Billy said:
https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2020/09/08/knights-send-support-to-dark-family/

Article about the Knights supporting the appeal for Joel Dark and family.

I suspect something will happen or be said at the game.

Captain of the Roosters Boyd Cordner is a cousin of Dark.

Pheonix Crossland was a team mate in our under 16s and they were also both in the NSW under 16s pathways squad.

Brodie Jones and Pasami Saulo played with his older brother all through the grades up to reserve grade in 2018, and I remember an article years ago where Brodie Jones, Tom Starling and Kurtis Dark described each other as the best of friends, on and off the field.

edit - the article about Jones and Kurtis Dark being mates https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2014/05/15/next-generation-knights-chasing-national-glory/
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So tragic. Especially after Joel’s father presented him with his jersey pre-game. Was having a blinder apparently. I’ve spent time in a coma and ICU this year and know the capability of these guys and surgeons alike can get Joel through. He’s a young, fit and tough kid too. Let’s all pray for him.
 
Ethan said:
With 5 or 6 players that would be playing reserve grade if we had all our players in if were being deadset that team shouldnt get anywhere near the roosters .
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Why shouldn’t we? That’s no excuse.

We had a much worse team in 2018 and we lost by two. We beat them at home in one of the best performances in a while last year, and then in the second game we were down by two at halftime only for the wheels to fall off with poor attitude and defence in the second half and that was when we were near enough to full strength.
 
I don't think any team is unstoppable this year. Panthers/ Roosters/ Melb are obviously the favourites, but you also feel like any of Knights/ Raiders/ Bunnies show up on the day & they can win. It's more a matter of if they bother to show up than who they are playing.
 
Wouldn’t put he Souths in that group, outside of a surprise win against an eels team who were flat and didn’t show up to play, potentially looking ahead they haven’t had any good wins against the teams above them.

They are making up the numbers with the Sharks
 
Rumours floating about Teddy to be rested this week, probs one of the Morris boys will go back there so not that bigger lose.
 
R_A said:
Wouldn’t put he Souths in that group, outside of a surprise win against an eels team who were flat and didn’t show up to play, potentially looking ahead they haven’t had any good wins against the teams above them.

They are making up the numbers with the Sharks
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Panthers/Roosters/Storm big few steps than Eels/Raiders and us a couple of paces behind, sharks lengths off us for mine.
 
Klemmer's article in the Herald today he talks about getting 4 days off training this week and how he prefers that to missing a game.
Guerra's interview on the Knights site he says he had time off training last week and only played 29 minutes this week.
Photos of today's training session look like there's only about 15-20 guys there.
I can't see Pearce, Mann, Klemmer, Fitz, Barnett, Ponga, Crossland.
Tuala and Jake Saifiti are there - maybe they think they have to do a bit more to make sure of a spot for the finals.
 
Bit of a theory of mine is that the coach has been flogging the players at training this year because our young squad needs to build stamina, but the downside of that is the players haven't been fresh for games too often.
I think this is why we don't get up for games we should win.
I think we could surprise a few people this week because we have a mixture of well rested players who have been playing long minutes all year, and a bunch of young guys who want to put their name forward for the rest of the season, including finals.
We haven't got our best team for this game, but everyone who is in should be fit, fresh and motivated to have a big one.
We mightn't win, but I expect a great effort.
 
alexwilliams said:
I'm starting to believe.. Somebody slap me
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Done!
 

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Interesting the 4 days off. Earlier game OB gave them some time off due to longer turn around and they came out flat. Said in presser after it that the time off training may have been the reason. Cant recall which game it was.

Hopefully we dont turn up flat against Roosters or they will put a big score on.
 
Billy said:
The death of Joel Dark will throw a pall over this game, with him having friends and relatives in both sides.
The real NRL have suspended the round of football, and if it wasn't for TV contracts etc, I think this game might be called off.
I won't be surprised if some players drop out.
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Absolute tragedy. Wonder if both clubs (Knights and Roosters) could make our matchup each year a commemorative one, similar to the Sharks/Eels each year with Johnny Mannah.
 
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