Second pre-season trial - Knights Vs Bulldogs - 6:00pm Saturday, 14th February - McDonald Jones Stadium

Lefty

Lefty

Danny 'Bedsy' Buderus
After several of our players put in promising performances in the first trial, our second trial will be against a stronger opponent in the Bulldogs.

We are expected to name a full strength side except for Ponga and Gags. It be will be the first time that dylbaags plays in our colours and how Holbrook uses Smith and Sharpe in this game will be very interesting. It will also be very interesting to see who plays hooker when Crossland needs a rest.
 
Be interesting to see most of those that sat out except Ponga and Gags, will strengthen the team over all with some players such as Smith and Sharpe benefiting.
With Ponga out assume Sharpe at f/b meaning Brown 6 and Smith 7 but could see Sharpe at centre and Hunt or Votano f/b
 
Frank McWilliams said:
Be interesting to see most of those that sat out except Ponga and Gags, will strengthen the team over all with some players such as Smith and Sharpe benefiting.
With Ponga out assume Sharpe at f/b meaning Brown 6 and Smith 7 but could see Sharpe at centre and Hunt or Votano f/b
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Yes I say Sharpe will be FB. DB and Smith in the halves. Smith has been training most of the season in 7 from all accounts so I will be surprised if it’s DB and Sharpe the halves in round one.
 
If we assume Ponga will be fit for Rd1 then Sharpe will likely be best placed in centres and should start with next trial and when Gags is ready he should play left wing taking Marzhew out. Play Votano or Hunt at f/b for this trial getting Sharpe ready to play centre.
Rd1:- 1 Ponga, 2 Young, 3 Sharpe, 4 Best, 5 Gags, 6 Brown, 7 Smith, 8 JSaf, 9 Crossland, 10 Mooney, 11 Lucas,
12 Jones/McEwen, 13 Frizell, 14 Graham/Arthur, 15 Saulo, 16 Crouch, 17 McEwen/Jones.
Ext bench:- Croker/Manuleleau
Subject to fitness.
Like to see our younger fwds such as McEwen, Manuleleau, ESL, Hopwood play Cup for early part of season
 
Backpage headline of the Herald today is "Sandon v Fletcher" and there are two articles over a page and a half largely talking about who will partner Brown in the halves.
Holbrook is quoted as saying Sharpe will not be on the bench - he will start.
Smith is quoted as saying he thinks they can both work together.
It's pointed out that the knights attack fell off a cliff last year when Sharpe was injured.
It's pointed out that Sharpe played some fullback and Smith played some hooker in the trial.

Quotes from Smith "We want all three, four of us on the field at the same time however we can" and "There's definitely a world where we can work it out"
 
Billy said:
Backpage headline of the Herald today is "Sandon v Fletcher" and there are two articles over a page and a half largely talking about who will partner Brown in the halves.
Holbrook is quoted as saying Sharpe will not be on the bench - he will start.
Smith is quoted as saying he thinks they can both work together.
It's pointed out that the knights attack fell off a cliff last year when Sharpe was injured.
It's pointed out that Sharpe played some fullback and Smith played some hooker in the trial.

Quotes from Smith "We want all three, four of us on the field at the same time however we can" and "There's definitely a world where we can work it out"
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14.6 points per game with him in the lineup, 13.2 without him. Wasn't much cliff left to go off.
 
We seem so caught up with trying to work out the decision Coach will make in positions 1-7 that we forget about the practical side of what is best for the team so if we break each position down to who is best and what best suits the team we should be placing the emphasis on what “all round best suits”.
1 Ponga/Sharpe, 2 Young/Gagai/Sharpe, 3 Gaga/Sharpe, 4 Best, 5 Gags/Sharpe/Marzhew, 6 Brown/Sharpe, 7 Smith/Brown/Sharpe.
Yes Sharpe is named a lot but I believe we all want him in the starting side.
My breakdown is 1 Ponga, can’t see him playing anywhere else. 2 Young, to good on r/wing to consider change.
3 most contentious selection but doubts about Gags, fitness/age and the need to fit Sharpe into starting side, too good to leave out so Sharpe to 3 with Gags moving. Hopefully it doesn’t effect Young too much missing Gags. 4 Best no selection debate. 5 Gags meaning Sharpe is 3 and Marzhew is out, we will miss his strong runs but little else. 6 Brown, he is a better 6 than Sharpe at this time. 7 Smith, best we have at 7 especially with Brown 6 and Sharpe 3
If Ponga unfit 1 Sharpe, 3 Gags, 5 Marzhew.
Can’t see the likes of Schiller, McCarthy or DeCourcey being in contention unless serious injury crisis so it’s NSW Cup for them along with Marzhew, Cups 2-5 me thinks
 
www.newcastleherald.com.au

Knights name Dylan Brown's first halves partner, several stars to return in home trial

Newcastle face the Bulldogs at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday.
www.newcastleherald.com.au www.newcastleherald.com.au

Article that says Hopwood and Gagai are "racing the clock" to play against the bulldogs. Hopwood has a calf injury and Gagai has hamstring tightness. Also says McEwen should play - ankle injury was minor.
The rest of the article is yet more speculation about the halves, with no new insights.
Dom Young is expected to play.
 
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Would be stupid to risk Gags at his advanced age. We know how good he is and has a spot if fit.
 
JOJO82 said:
Injuries before the season has started, will we ever have an injury free season
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I sincerely hope guys aren't rushed back especially for Gags with a Hammy injury, he looked half a yard off the pace last year I sincerely hope he is not a case of a year to long.
 
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