The Halfback Conundrum

[Thieves Like Us]

Gamble can play halfback. He did it in the 2nd half of the semi vs Canberra. I would rather Gamble than Cogger and Hastings as he has a long kicking game

Definitely has a big boot on him but don’t think he has the game management skills to be our 7. I remember a few games when Hastings got injured midway through the game and he had to fill in at 7. We lost pretty much all shape when that happened.

 

[BTP]

reading through last few pages (say hello night shift) and looks like the general consensus is:

6. Pryce
7. Hastings

In full agreeance for 2 reasons.

Hastings ability is completely undeniable. Guy has so a great ability at reading footy games he's just had the mental health and lately the leg injury holding him back.
Kind of reminds me of Jamie Tart from Ted Lasso.

Pretty shocked from his last poddy that he mentioned he's this time on medication. Which is mind boggling he's gone this long and not been prescribed anything. Sure plenty of people object to meds as it can have adverse side effects. But that's a long time.

So if that is the case I am very hopeful this has given him the ability to operate clearly and been given the chance to smooth things over with senior players. He looks incredibly fit, been training basically the whole off season so that part of it wont be a situation.

Pryce i'm conflicted with, even as I write this and my reasons in short form are:
1. Being a half in this team is a simple game plan. Kick long, organise spreads, get good ball to Best, Gags, Lucas and KP. If you're good enough (like hastings and gamble were) than you'll pick the right moments. Is Pryce good enough to stick to a plan and give good early ball to these guys when needed and not go for a miracle play?
2. He seemingly has a great relationship with the players and Ponga especially. So establishing combinations hopefully wont be a problem
3. he likes to have fun, goof off, that's great, but without seeing hm train day in day out, how much does he actually know about the fundamentals of football? There is a reason Crossy got the 7 gig end of year and we made the finals. He get's footy, lived and breathed it since a kid as a country lad. There's a reason every one keep bringing up Sharpe, he just gets football, hnd him the ball, tell him the gameplan and he'll probably get you there.
4. His price tag. Not his fault, but for a guy who may still be learning a lot of the nitty gritty basics, its a bad contract.
5. Personal opinion, He's minding the spot for Linnane or Sharpe. Two country kids who understand football, country strong, country smart as in they are respectful and well educated. I actually could see a futue halves pairing of Sharpe and Linnane. I laughed at the mention of Sharpe as a 6 but i;ve spoken to a few people who have watched him as a young kid and they put the house on him locking down the 7 position within the year. Think Moses/Brown esque.

Either way, I'll back who's there and I'm beyond excited for pre season challenge.

 

[frankLauda]

Undoubtedly the best half back at the club is Hastings. Man of steal award. Took a bottom club in the ESL to a grand final.

I remember watching him at the Tigers and thought how much of a better side they were when he played. Allowed Brooks to play his running game. Was crucial piece in the 10 game run.

Cogger needed confidence, he can do a job. He was definitely improved and the back end of the year. But the two don’t work as a halves a pairing.

We have good options at six now and in the future. Right now it’s between Gamble an Pryce for that six spot. I think Pyrce has more upside and can be another running threat. I hope to see him get an opportunity.

So between Hastings and Cogger, see who impresses the most in training and trials. I’m leaning and hoping Hastings comes good.

Then AOB barring injury should stick with the same halves for at least 6-8 rounds. Having an “easier” start will hopefully benefit us.

 

[Seano]

I think Gamble should be our 14 to come on and do a job in any position except prop, I think would be the role that suits him best.

 

[Grandpa Joe]

I said all along we should sign Volkman as a back-up option, now as of two weeks ago he's on a one year deal with the Eels behind Moses and Brown ... frustrating.

Why we have plenty of fringe halves as is bro.

 

[HarVeeGee13]

I think Volkman has potential, but I don't want to burn a spot on a guy as vulnerable as he appears to be to upper body contact injuries. Maybe uncharitable, but it gives me a vibe that his body isn't up to the rigours of the sport. The shoulder injury that scuppered his Dragons deal isn't his first.

 

[Kurriboy]

We keep talking about needing a halfback that can run the show. Come in and direct the play, get the ball out to Ponga when something is on. Maybe create a thing or 2 themselves.

We had that already with Hastings.

You hear about coaches that can make a players game simple for them, just go out there and concentrate on being the best you, you can be doing these things here. Thats your priority in game.

I don't see this with OB, his game plan for the Knights seems to just be do what Penrith do and if the players can't make that happen then thats on the players. Yet the year before, we set the comp on fire with exciting, ad lib attacking football. That worked and we were exciting to watch. That sort of play attracts players to the club as they want to be part of that.

Next season, that style of play is completely gone replaced by grinding, percentage plays.

We have one of the most exciting and potent attacking players in the comp shackled by a low risk, grinding sets out arm wrestle game plan.

We have a Ferrari, but we force it to run only in 2nd gear.

I don't care who we sign at 7, or bring through, they aren't going to suddenly change the game plan, as they are told to play how the coach wants.

The coach needs to set a game plan that suits our talent and abilities. Not just cookie cut a game plan in and say there, do that!

 

[Heckla]

We keep talking about needing a halfback that can run the show. Come in and direct the play, get the ball out to Ponga when something is on. Maybe create a thing or 2 themselves.

We had that already with Hastings.

You hear about coaches that can make a players game simple for them, just go out there and concentrate on being the best you, you can be doing these things here. Thats your priority in game.

I don't see this with OB, his game plan for the Knights seems to just be do what Penrith do and if the players can't make that happen then thats on the players. Yet the year before, we set the comp on fire with exciting, ad lib attacking football. That worked and we were exciting to watch. That sort of play attracts players to the club as they want to be part of that.

Next season, that style of play is completely gone replaced by grinding, percentage plays.

We have one of the most exciting and potent attacking players in the comp shackled by a low risk, grinding sets out arm wrestle game plan.

We have a Ferrari, but we force it to run only in 2nd gear.

I don't care who we sign at 7, or bring through, they aren't going to suddenly change the game plan, as they are told to play how the coach wants.

The coach needs to set a game plan that suits our talent and abilities. Not just cookie cut a game plan in and say there, do that!

Agreed.i also think this would be taken into consideration by any players we are trying to recruit.

 

[BTP]

Reason Newcastle had such a good season in 2023 is because the team grinded, executed High percentage plays, competed for every 1% moment. They were able to concentrate on their best abilities. That all came from Obi and the coaching staff so I don't think it's fair that he brings player down.

The team started 2024 wanting to throw ball around like 23 when they weren't doing all the hard stuff before it. It's why Obi stripped them back and low and behold we went on a 4 game winning streak mid year and climbed back into 8 and again at tail end of year.

He's not the best coach ever, no, he's still learning, so's Blake Green and now they've got Dobson and Adam Blair on coaching staff too. 25/26 season are pretty important to them and team. They have an incredble bunch of juniors coming through and they need to nail the mix of 2023 preseason and 24 pre season together to get best out of team. Players all look very fit this year, so post xmas nailing the communication with players and locking in positions is going to be the staff's biggest test so they can start year off well.

 

[Brad tighe]

We keep talking about needing a halfback that can run the show. Come in and direct the play, get the ball out to Ponga when something is on. Maybe create a thing or 2 themselves.

We had that already with Hastings.

You hear about coaches that can make a players game simple for them, just go out there and concentrate on being the best you, you can be doing these things here. Thats your priority in game.

I don't see this with OB, his game plan for the Knights seems to just be do what Penrith do and if the players can't make that happen then thats on the players. Yet the year before, we set the comp on fire with exciting, ad lib attacking football. That worked and we were exciting to watch. That sort of play attracts players to the club as they want to be part of that.

Next season, that style of play is completely gone replaced by grinding, percentage plays.

We have one of the most exciting and potent attacking players in the comp shackled by a low risk, grinding sets out arm wrestle game plan.

We have a Ferrari, but we force it to run only in 2nd gear.

I don't care who we sign at 7, or bring through, they aren't going to suddenly change the game plan, as they are told to play how the coach wants.

The coach needs to set a game plan that suits our talent and abilities. Not just cookie cut a game plan in and say there, do that!

If Hastings can get his leg right and his attitude on the field right. Get his relationships right with his teammates his a top 8 half no doubt however the things that counted against him in the past still do, he got dropped for the stupid penalties and his lack of kicking game.

 

[Treadly]

Reason Newcastle had such a good season in 2023 is because the team grinded, executed High percentage plays, competed for every 1% moment. They were able to concentrate on their best abilities. That all came from Obi and the coaching staff so I don't think it's fair that he brings player down.

The team started 2024 wanting to throw ball around like 23 when they weren't doing all the hard stuff before it. It's why Obi stripped them back and low and behold we went on a 4 game winning streak mid year and climbed back into 8 and again at tail end of year.

He's not the best coach ever, no, he's still learning, so's Blake Green and now they've got Dobson and Adam Blair on coaching staff too. 25/26 season are pretty important to them and team. They have an incredble bunch of juniors coming through and they need to nail the mix of 2023 preseason and 24 pre season together to get best out of team. Players all look very fit this year, so post xmas nailing the communication with players and locking in positions is going to be the staff's biggest test so they can start year off well.

That really is my take on the season, along with some poor halves performances, then injuries and Hastings implosion.

I hope the club/team learns from this season, starts out really gritty and then builds the flair from there.

 

[Kurriboy]

Reason Newcastle had such a good season in 2023 is because the team grinded, executed High percentage plays, competed for every 1% moment. They were able to concentrate on their best abilities. That all came from Obi and the coaching staff so I don't think it's fair that he brings player down.

The team started 2024 wanting to throw ball around like 23 when they weren't doing all the hard stuff before it. It's why Obi stripped them back and low and behold we went on a 4 game winning streak mid year and climbed back into 8 and again at tail end of year.

He's not the best coach ever, no, he's still learning, so's Blake Green and now they've got Dobson and Adam Blair on coaching staff too. 25/26 season are pretty important to them and team. They have an incredble bunch of juniors coming through and they need to nail the mix of 2023 preseason and 24 pre season together to get best out of team. Players all look very fit this year, so post xmas nailing the communication with players and locking in positions is going to be the staff's biggest test so they can start year off well.

Thats one perspective.

So you would have me believe, that OB's great coaching effort in 2023 building in to the season by grinding until something clicked, at which point we abandoned the grinding altogether in favor of attacking from anywhere on the field and completely changed the way we play. I dunno it just doesn't seem logical to me.

If this were true why didn't he have the team prepped to start the season correctly in 2024 and build in to the season, grinding until something clicked again. If it were good coaching in 2023 starting the season grinding, then it must be poor coaching in 2024 to start the season with an attacking mindset for the team.

I'm not buying it.

2025, another easy draw, 3rd easiest apparently. We will see what sort of team and mindset he produces.

 

[HarVeeGee13]

I think it’s pretty inarguable the team started 2024 just expecting it to happen like it was in late 2023. I don’t know how you can say that’s a questionable explanation. Cast your mind back to other instances of teams coming home with a wet sail with fantastic attacking form in the back half of seasons eg 2005 Tigers, 2009 Eels, 2017 Raiders. All started the next season off the pace, played clunky ineffective attacking footy, couldn’t figure their **** out, and missed finals altogether. It’s clearly not an easy thing to figure out mentally. It took most of the season but the Knights inarguably did figure it out and finally got the mojo back when it mattered.

Only point of difference for me was I’d say the Knights attacked pretty well all season in 2023, it’s just that the results weren’t quite coming until Kalyn got his mojo back & got fully integrated in the ball movement heavy attack we were playing with. That’s when we started blowing everyone we played away. On the flip side, I’d say defensively we played with plenty of desperation, but really struggled to control the game without the ball. Very much a style where we were almost rope-a-doping and then counter-attacking. This doesn’t work so well if the attack isn’t gelling because it relies pretty heavily on attacking chemistry and consistent execution of structure. Take some key personnel out of the team and, uh-oh. I think there also has to be doubts about how well that style works in finals footy given that’s more or less how I’d describe how Cronulla plays.

 

[jamesgould]

I remember going to the round one game in 2023, we definitely weren’t playing any dazzle dazzle footy. But we did look really sharp, despite the loss, and it did seem like the fitness was there. I walked away thinking both the Knights and the Warriors were in for good seasons, and with a weird feeling we’d meet again in the finals, actually!

But I think @BTP is spot on, it took a while for us to find our attacking mojo, in line with that effort and fitness base.

Last year it seemed like a few players weren’t in the same great condition to start the year, and we just expected it all to click like 2023 straight away. A good lesson for the team and the coach that you do have to start from scratch every year, I do think if you listen to AOB in pre-season interviews he got a bit carried away thinking we were just going to be the same team again from the first minute of 2024, while forgetting a bit how we got there in 2023. I’m sure he’ll have taken that on board for next season.

 

[Owey]

I remember after the raiders game in round 1 last year leaving the ground thinking we'd tried to play like millionaires without setting the platform. It ALWAYS has to start with hard work. Better to have a moment of Ponga magic getting us home in a game rather than needing three to keep us in it

 

[Billy]

Ponga is a slow starter.
His form in the early rounds and when he returns from injuries is always way down on his best form.
The longer he plays the better he gets, but a good part of our slow starts to the year every year is that Ponga isn't going to save us. He's dropping high balls, throwing cut out passes and arriving a few steps late when backing up.
If we are going to start fast in 2025, we need a game plan that doesn't involve Ponga giving a 10/10 performance.

 

[frankLauda]

Who’s is the Crossland at 7 camp? Have Gamble or Matt Arthur at 14. I feel like if he has more time settled in that position the better he will get. Definitely the best defender. Actually hits hard. So what ever side he is defending on the opposition probably won’t target.

 

[KPGreatness]

Ponga is a slow starter.
His form in the early rounds and when he returns from injuries is always way down on his best form.
The longer he plays the better he gets, but a good part of our slow starts to the year every year is that Ponga isn't going to save us. He's dropping high balls, throwing cut out passes and arriving a few steps late when backing up.
If we are going to start fast in 2025, we need a game plan that doesn't involve Ponga giving a 10/10 performance.

Agreed I honestly think we use KP to much, why don’t we use him as a decoy more? When he runs around to the left people instantly know it’s going to him and jam, we should use him more for a decoy as well as an actual threat instead of forcing him the ball for 80 minutes.

 

[Seano]

Ponga is a slow starter.
His form in the early rounds and when he returns from injuries is always way down on his best form.
The longer he plays the better he gets, but a good part of our slow starts to the year every year is that Ponga isn't going to save us. He's dropping high balls, throwing cut out passes and arriving a few steps late when backing up.
If we are going to start fast in 2025, we need a game plan that doesn't involve Ponga giving a 10/10 performance.

A big test of AOB's coaching. The Knights will likely be done for 2025 and potentially in the spoon race if they have a slow start because the run in is very tough.

 

[Owey]

Who’s is the Crossland at 7 camp? Have Gamble or Matt Arthur at 14. I feel like if he has more time settled in that position the better he will get. Definitely the best defender. Actually hits hard. So what ever side he is defending on the opposition probably won’t target.

I'm not against that at all. We gave ourselves the best chance of winning games this year when he was there providing that grittiness. What I will say, and always think, is that we can't see who is killing it in training. We kinda have to trust the first round selections, then we can base our choices on form and who is kicking the door down in reggies.