Round 26: Newcastle Knights vs Cronulla Sharks

What is your prediction for this game ??

  • Knights 13+

    Votes: 1 8.3%

  • Knights 1-12

    Votes: 4 33.3%

  • Draw

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Sharks 1-12

    Votes: 4 33.3%

  • Sharks 13+

    Votes: 3 25.0%
  • Total voters
    12
  • Poll closed .
Trying to think who was the last guy from the part time squad to make firstgrade - Think it was Chad Redman 2 years ago - and before that Marvin Filipo.
 
Billy said:
Trying to think who was the last guy from the part time squad to make firstgrade - Think it was Chad Redman 2 years ago - and before that Marvin Filipo.
Click to expand...

Nah Redman was in the first-grade squad ever since he graduated from NYC. I think Cory Denniss was the most out of nowhere of them all.
 
Joshhh said:
Nah Redman was in the first-grade squad ever since he graduated from NYC. I think Cory Denniss was the most out of nowhere of them all.
Click to expand...

Due to age id say ur right, though Pythian was a nobody 12mths before making his debut.
Corey was in our system for a few yrs already by memory? Matts, sg, 20s.
Pythian was playing park footy in 2015 then go picked up for 20s before going into cup, both grade he only had a handful of games before hitting nrl
 
88Knight4life said:
Due to age id say ur right, though Pythian was a nobody 12mths before making his debut.
Corey was in our system for a few yrs already by memory? Matts, sg, 20s.
Pythian was playing park footy in 2015 then go picked up for 20s before going into cup, both grade he only had a handful of games before hitting nrl
Click to expand...

Phythian was around, plugging away in cup between injuries. His selection was pretty random but when Denniss got his shot, no one had even heard of him. He had only played his second NYC game before getting the call up.
 
Joshhh said:
Phythian was around, plugging away in cup between injuries. His selection was pretty random but when Denniss got his shot, no one had even heard of him. He had only played his second NYC game before getting the call up.
Click to expand...

Debut number: 278
Matches: 2
Positions played: Hooker
Tries: 1
Average metres: 13
Average tackles: 10.5

Another local junior that made his debut in 2016, Dylan Phythian was playing pub football two years ago.

Following some strong showings for the Knights’ Under 20s in 2015, he graduated to the reserve grade side this season but was hampered by injuries.

Phythian got his first grade opportunity in the end though, and earned plenty of praise despite coming into the game as a completely unknown quantity.

A fullback by preference, Phythian has also spent time in the halves and proved in 2016 that he can handle the responsibilities at hooker.

Debut

Heading into Old Boys Day in Round 25, Danny Levi was ruled out through injury to give Phythian his chance in first grade.

With the match also being the retiring Jeremy Smith’s final at Hunter Stadium, Phythian’s impressive debut nicely symbolised the transition that the Club underwent in 2016 with a changing of the guard.

While Phythian admitted that he had rarely played at hooker before, he came off the bench in the 55th minute and scored ninety seconds later.

He also made two runs for 18 metres, one offload and ten tackles in 29 minutes.

Best moment

Considering Phythian spent a total of 50 minutes playing first grade this season, his best moment was undoubtedly his try.

The Knights were struggling against a dominant Rabbitohs pack, but as soon as Phythian came on he stuck it to the opposition.

It culminated in a try from dummy-half, as he scooped the ball up metres away from the line to wrestle his way over.

What makes him special?

Phythian is a natural footballer, and his size coupled with his ball playing abilities means he has great utility value.

Not many fullbacks would be able to cut it at hooker as well, but Phythian excelled there in his debut.

Head coach Nathan Brown also identified his sheer competitiveness as a great attribute, and his natural self confidence allows him to back himself against any opponent, as he demonstrated against the Rabbitohs with his solo try.


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2016/10/04/rookie_review_dylan_.html
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Phyth had a fulltime offseason - and now that I think about it, Redman and Filipo probably did too.
Denniss just had an NYC one I think.
As far as I know, Amey just did a pre season with Woolfords part time squad, and I don't recall ever seeing him in the firstgrade session photos this season.
Even guys like Robson, Braidie Smith and Gagan trained with firstgrade.
Tom Hughes did get a spot in the 21 a month or so ago, and he only trained with the part timers.
 
Knights v Sharks: Schick Preview


Thu 31 Aug, 2017, 10:30am
By Alicia Newton‌, National Correspondent‌‌, ‌‌‌NRL.com


Schick Hydro Preview: Newcastle Knights v Cronulla Sharks
McDonald Jones Stadium
Sunday, 2.00pm

A total mismatch on paper to finish the regular season but the annual Old Boys day in the Hunter is enough to bring the Newcastle Knights right into this clash as they host the Cronulla Sharks at McDonald Jones Stadium.

The past fortnight for Nathan Brown's men has been one to forget after conceding 40+ points back-to-back against Melbourne and Canberra following their impressive three wins on the trot prior to the final run home.

Cronulla need a big win over the Knights and hope other results go their way to lock in a top four spot after their tough two-point loss to the Roosters last weekend.

These sides met back in Round 5 and after the Sharks piled on a combined 98-4 scoreline across two games last year, the defending premiers got out of jail against an improved Knights line-up in April through a James Maloney field goal on the siren at Southern Cross Group Stadium.

Newcastle's injury toll has taken a hit in recent weeks and arguably their most consistent forward in Daniel Saifiti is the latest to miss the clash – and the 2017 Rugby League World Cup – with the club confirming a shoulder reconstruction is required for the young prop.

After a strong season in the Intrust Super Premiership, Knights coach Nathan Brown will blood South Lakes junior Tyrone Amey for his NRL Telstra Premiership debut off the bench in the final round.

The Knights will use their final home game to celebrate the 20-year anniversary of their 1997 premiership and farewell departing players Dane Gagai, Joe Wardle and Mickey Paea.

For the Sharks, Sam Tagataese is out of the 21-man squad with Jeremy Latimore added to the bench. Injured utility Jack Bird has been named on the reserves list and could be a late inclusion.
‌
Why the Knights can win:

Cronulla aren't the same side in 2017, particularly in attack, and Newcastle's Round 5 effort and a stirring Old Boys day should give them enough to believe they can cause an upset on home turf.

The Sharks and Knights are on par in scoring tries - both averaging at least three four-pointers per game. An even weight of possession will help.

Cronulla average 51.3 per cent to rank fourth best in the Telstra Premiership, but in comparison Newcastle are starved with 46.3 per cent each game to rank last.

When the Knights have had at least 50 per cent of the ball in a game this season, they've gone on to taste victory.

Why the Sharks can win:

It is well documented the Sharks are riddled with incompletions and ill discipline in 2017, but their defence is where games have been won.

Cronulla (63) are behind competition leaders Melbourne (56) for tries conceded, while the Knights are ranked at the bottom with Wests Tigers on 109.

Shane Flanagan's men are ranked third in the Telstra Premiership for metres gained and should be too strong up front with big names in the forward pack.

In return they concede the least amount of metres than any other side in the competition and wrap up the ball in a tackle better than any other side with the least offloads given.

The history: Played 49; Knights 27; Sharks 21; Drawn 1.

Newcastle have dominated games between the two clubs in the earlier years, but the Sharks have fought back in recent seasons to string five wins in a row.

Shane Flanagan's side hammered the Knights 62-0 at McDonald Jones Stadium in 2016 but in the seven clashes prior – five were decided by four points or less at the venue.

What are the odds:

Sportsbet has struggled to find anyone willing to back the Knights. 99 per cent of the money invested in the head-to-head market is on Cronulla, and the Sharks have been backed off the map to win 13+ as well as cover the big start they're conceding. Latest odds at sportsbet.com.au

Match officials:

Referee: Henry Perenara; Assistant referee: Jon Stone; Touch judges: Kasey Badger and Tim Roby; Review Officials: Ben Galea and Jared Maxwell.

Televised:

Fox League – Live from 2:00pm.

NRL.com predicts:

All signs point to a comfortable Sharks victory, but not by the huge margin that occurred in 2016.

Newcastle have improved a year on and will be out to ensure they put in a strong performance in front of former players and a loyal supporter base – a club who is averaging over 15,000 fans per game despite being in line to collect their third consecutive wooden spoon.

However, Cronulla's defence and hunger to finish the regular season strong heading into the finals series should be enough to see them secure a much-needed win.

Sharks by 12 points.


http://www.nrl.com/knights-v-sharks-schick-preview/tabid/10874/newsid/111577/default.aspx
 
Henry gave us a leg up in the parra game. Maybe he will get us over the line here too.......... Hahaha who am I kidding.
 
Anyone think Pasami will play?
Id love to see what he can do this year. Then see his improvement after a full off season.
 
Too early for Pasami.
They are giving him long minutes in reserve grade, but I noticed he missed 7 tackles against Wyong, and that's probably down to him not having enough fitness to play 60 minutes yet.
 
Billy said:
Too early for Pasami.
They are giving him long minutes in reserve grade, but I noticed he missed 7 tackles against Wyong, and that's probably down to him not having enough fitness to play 60 minutes yet.
Click to expand...
Stats say he's not making many yards with the ball? How's he looked in Reggies?
 
Pasami does a lot of good things and a few bad things. He can go for a bargeover try and look a handful for 3 or 4 defenders to stop, and a few plays later he'll drop off a tackle and look a bit weak.
They leave him out there for 60 minutes, and sometimes he looks strong, and sometimes he looks like a passenger, but I doubt anyone else from our current under 20s could do half the minutes he is now doing at prop.
He's actually the same age as Jake Saifiti was in 2015 when he played some games of reserve grade, but Jake was doing shortish minutes off the bench in the second row, and filled in at centre in one game, not 60 minutes as a starting prop.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top