Round 22: Knights v Titans @ Skilled Stadium

ROOMMATES TO BATTLE IT OUT FOR TOP 8
Andrew Bryan

2008-08-11

They were roommates in State of Origin, but now Steve Simpson and Anthony Laffranchi are set to battle it out with the winner to propel his team into the top eight.

The Knights and Titans are locked on 22 competition points – a win outside the eight and their clash at Skilled Park tonight is crucial to both team’s finals aspirations.

Laffranchi has been a try scoring machine for the Titans this year, crossing the white strip 10 times, and Simpson knows stopping his Origin roommate will be key if the Knights are to move into finals contention.

“Stopping him will definitely go a long way to winning us the match,” Simpson said.

“He is a good bloke, a great player and it was nice to meet him at that level and obviously it is going to be tough coming up against him tonight.

“He is such a great player and he has been playing really well all year. He has probably been their best player week in, week out, so getting on top of him is probably all part of beating the Titans.

“He is such a dominant player for them and he gets through a lot of work. He is a player we are going to have to watch pretty closely.

“He is so dangerous close to the line, so we have done a bit of work on him this week at training.”

The Knights go into the clash chasing their third victory in a row, which would be the first time this season they have achieved the feat.

“We still have a lot of improvement in our side,” Simpson said.

“I think we have been a little rusty in some areas and we have been working pretty hard this week at training, so we are looking forward to playing well.

“We are not getting ahead of ourselves by any means, we are just looking to improve with each performance. I suppose there is a bit of confidence there, but we know we have to keep winning.

“We have worked pretty hard on our defence over the year, we want to pride ourselves in that area just like the leading teams in the competition, the Manlys and the Melbournes.

“We still have a little way to go, but we have definitely improved a lot in that area.”

Every game leading into the finals is crucial with only four rounds to go and just two points separating sixth from 13th.

“It is a really important game and I think it will be pretty tough,” he said.

“It is obviously a very important game to try and cement ourselves in the eight, it is such a tight competition this year and we really need to win this game.

“They have a lot of great players with (Nathan) Friend and (Mark) Minichiello coming back this week and I think that will be a real bonus for them.

“I’m expecting a really tough game up there and I am looking forward to playing at that new stadium as well.”
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Newcastle Knights
 
QldKnight said:
Does anyone think we can win by 36+ to get ahead of the Raiders and into 6th place? I know I'd rather the Knights be facing Roosters or Cronulla in the 1st week of finals rather than Melbourne or Manly
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I was thinking about that - it is possible, because Gold Coast have been getting lapped a few times recently. But given it's at Skilled, it's unlikely.
 
woah im so excited. i have a really good feeling newcastle will win. if they win i will be over the moon. if they dont win ill be a tad disappointed but i will still love them.
 
I hope the boys just focus on the win first ans foremost get the 2 points then worry about for and against
 
QldKnight said:
Does anyone think we can win by 36+ to get ahead of the Raiders and into 6th place? I know I'd rather the Knights be facing Roosters or Cronulla in the 1st week of finals rather than Melbourne or Manly
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Yeah but we don't need to get it done this week. Let's just make sure we win, and there are still 4 more games after tonight. Still plenty of time to get 6th if we're up to it - keep in mind that the Raiders for and against might drop also.
 
Same studio and commentary team as last week, they know our team a little more this time. Hopefully no mistakes!
 
Denno said:
Yeah but we don't need to get it done this week. Let's just make sure we win, and there are still 4 more games after tonight. Still plenty of time to get 6th if we're up to it - keep in mind that the Raiders for and against might drop also.
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we have canberra next week and that may prove a major factor...i wouldn't be surprised if it is a massive scoreline. raiders vs knights at canberra stadium always gets a pretty big scoreline.
here is what i mean:
2005- Raiders 39-14
2006- Knights 70-32
2007- Raiders 48-18

it is out turn
 
I think this time we will get the bikkies in Canberra, but a closer scoreline than usual, less than 20 between us at the most.
 
A huge chance that Luke Bailey will return tonight, but Scott Prince may not (Jordan Rankin wil if missing Prince).
With the Knights there is a big chance that Dan Tolar is out (neck) replaced with Danny Wicks and Aku Uate may also be out for personal reasons, with Cooper Vuna in his place!!!!

Next week is a huge game because in Canberra we've only won twice there
in 2001 (22-20) & 2006 (70-32)!!! (plus a draw in "99").

Not our fav place to pick up two points!!!!

 
newy6matho said:
A huge chance that Luke Bailey will return tonight, but Scott Prince may not (Jordan Rankin wil if missing Prince).
With the Knights there is a big chance that Dan Tolar is out (neck) replaced with Danny Wicks and Aku Uate may also be out for personal reasons, with Cooper Vuna in his place!!!!

Next week is a huge game because in Canberra we've only won twice there
in 2001 (22-20) & 2006 (70-32)!!! (plus a draw in "99").

Not our fav place to pick up two points!!!!
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i think Aku was gonna attend a funeral
 
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