Round 4: Newcastle Knights vs St George Illawarra Dragons

What is your prediction for this game ??

  • Knights 13+

    Votes: 4 25.0%

  • Knights 1-12

    Votes: 3 18.8%

  • Draw

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Dragons 1-12

    Votes: 5 31.3%

  • Dragons 13+

    Votes: 4 25.0%
  • Total voters
    16
  • Poll closed .
Glad to see Dufty back in the team. Means there's a chance for the "Ponga blows Dufty for speed" commentary to be heard again.
 
I said all along it will take half of this season or longer for them to gel and play as a team and it will take almost all this season before they are at there best , but the talents all there for when they do gel ..
 
I’ve been to the first 3 games but I can’t bring myself to head to this one from Sydney. I won’t be able to stomach another loss from the stands if it’s 3 in a row.
 
It worries me that we have Sione and Barnett in starting side, both good players, keen, go hard but susceptible to missing tackles, can’t afford both possibly even one despite my liking Sione who gives his all. Play Guerra for Sione to bench, play Ese’ese or Dan for Glasby who goes back to 13. King and Ese’ese or Dan on bench with Sione and Mann, sorry but Barnett to reserves or 18th man. Pack needs to be tight and strong to allow attach to function. Selection shows weakening one spot to strengthen another, not on.
 
Must admit some people on here put up a better defence for Sione then what he produces on the weekend.

The guy does nothing but plod around on the field. He has no first grade qualities yet gets a free pass every year by coaching staff and some blind loyalty from a few on here.
 
Billy said:
That article is all hard statistics - not the rubbish stats put up for fans every week.
What's in front on me is I see Sione hunting for the strongest attacking runners on his side of the field and knocking their socks off every week. I also see Watson getting knocked down by a stiff breeze going past him, and read your posts where you say Watson has the job of covering for Sione, and I have to wonder what drugs you are on.
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Not on any drugs at all Billy and don't worry after that comment I'll just be scrolling past your posts in future, good day.
 
cowboyman said:
Must admit some people on here put up a better defence for Sione then what he produces on the weekend.

The guy does nothing but plod around on the field. He has no first grade qualities yet gets a free pass every year by coaching staff and some blind loyalty from a few on here.
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Cowboy , I find it difficult to disagree , but I think calling Sione a “plod “ is incorrect.

It is his propensity for shooting up out of the defensive line and coming up empty which costs us.

A reason that he appears to be a “protected speices “ could be, shooting up is part of the defensive plan, but when he misses it sends the rest of the line into disarray.

I was looking at last years stats and can only assume that these were based on when he was at Centre, it maybe no coincidence that Guerra had the highest tackle count if he was sweeping up behind Sione.
 
Simon Templar said:
Cowboy , I find it difficult to disagree , but I think calling Sione a “plod “ is incorrect.

It is his propensity for shooting up out of the defensive line and coming up empty which costs us.

A reason that he appears to be a “protected speices “ could be, shooting up is part of the defensive plan, but when he misses it sends the rest of the line into disarray.

I was looking at last years stats and can only assume that these were based on when he was at Centre, it maybe no coincidence that Guerra had the highest tackle count if he was sweeping up behind Sione.
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I doubt the defensive plan is for any players to rush out of the line. Moreover, not sure Sione is the best person for that tactic anyway with his missed tackles. Not having a crack at Sione but just thinking it’s more likely Sione is trying to create impact with those types of tackles and can come up short.
 
In good sides, everyone moves up fast and puts pressure on the opposition.
The problem isn't guys moving up quick and trying to do strong defence.
The problem is people moving up slow and doing soft defence.
 
Billy said:
In good sides, everyone moves up fast and puts pressure on the opposition.
The problem isn't guys moving up quick and trying to do strong defence.
The problem is people moving up slow and doing soft defence.
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You really are clueless. There is line speed and sprinting out of a defensive line. Get a team to sprint their line speed for a match and see how it works out.

For as long as I can remember you train to move up as a line together. Can’t remember having a race every tackle.
 
packo said:
You really are clueless. There is line speed and sprinting out of a defensive line. Get a team to sprint their line speed for a match and see how it works out.

For as long as I can remember you train to move up as a line together. Can’t remember having a race every tackle.
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If Sione can "sprint" as you put it every tackle, so can the others. A lot of our defenders last year in particular were in no hurry.

Of course, Sione didn't "sprint" up - he moved up about the pace you would see the whole Melbourne side moving up.
 
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Billy said:
If Sione can "sprint" as you put it every tackle, so can the others. A lot of our defenders last year in particular were in no hurry.

Of course, Sione didn't "sprint" up - he moved up about the pace you would see the whole Melbourne side moving up.
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I'd prefer a team of slow players holding the line rather than 1-2 players rushing out of it and creating holes for tries to be scored through.
 
knightime said:
I'd prefer a team of slow players holding the line rather than 1-2 players rushing out of it and creating holes for tries to be scored through.
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I'd prefer a team where everyone is having a go - not just one or two guys.

We were the worst defensive side over the last few years, and you guys are saying the problem was the people who were keen and having a crack.
 
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Simon Templar said:
Cowboy , I find it difficult to disagree , but I think calling Sione a “plod “ is incorrect.

It is his propensity for shooting up out of the defensive line and coming up empty which costs us.

A reason that he appears to be a “protected speices “ could be, shooting up is part of the defensive plan, but when he misses it sends the rest of the line into disarray.

I was looking at last years stats and can only assume that these were based on when he was at Centre, it maybe no coincidence that Guerra had the highest tackle count if he was sweeping up behind Sione.
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If leaving gaps in our defence is part of the plan as it works 1/5 times at best I'd suggest our entire coaching staff needs to go.
 
Jaybro said:
Has there been a more polarising player to ever play for the Knights than Sione Mata'utia???
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It used to be Uate.

Same thing happens in both cases - people obsess over every mistake they make and can't see anything else. After a while a try will be scored 15 metres away from them and the people obsessed with them will find a way to convince themselves it wasn't the 4 guys in range that were the problem it was bloody Sione/Uate out of position again.

Tyrone Roberts found a way around it - he just did nothing for 5 years - and everyone loved him because he never made a mistake.
 
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When the Panthers scored that try where they got it back from over the dead ball line the ball after it was kicked rolled past Pearce who stood there and watched it. Imagine if that was Josh King or the like. Whilst were focusing on blokes that are trying hard our Captain has been in cruise mode so far trials included. He was better on the drink.
 
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