Match Discussion: Round 5 vs Broncos @ McDonald Jones Stadium

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2018 - Round 5
Newcastle Knights v Brisbane Broncos
McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton (TICKETS)
Saturday 7 April 2018

Gates 3:15pm / Flegg 3:30pm / ISP 5:35pm / NRL 7:35pm

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Shaun Kenny-dowall 3. Sione Mata'utia 4. Nathan Ross 5. Ken Sio 6. Brock Lamb 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Herman Ese'ese 9. Slade Griffin 10. Jacob Lillyman 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Mitchell Barnett
Interchange: 14. Jamie Buhrer 15. Chris Heighington 16. Jacob Saifiti 17. Daniel Saifiti 18. Luke Yates 19. Jack Cogger 20. Danny Levi 21. Cory Denniss

1. Darius Boyd 2. Corey Oates 3. James Roberts 4. Jack Bird 5. Jamayne Isaako 6. Anthony Milford 7. Kodi Nikorima 8. Matthew Lodge 9. Andrew McCullough 10. Korbin Sims 11. Alex Glenn 12. Matt Gillett 13. Josh Mcguire
Interchange: 14. Sam Thaiday 15. Joe Ofahengaue 16. Tom Opacic 17. Jaydn Su'a 18. Jonus Pearson 19. Tevita Pangai Junior 20. Gehamat Shibasaki 21. Payne Haas

Referees: Chris Sutton, Chris Butler
Sideline Officials: Ricky MacFarlane, Nick Morel
Video Referees: Jared Maxwell, Ben Galea

Feeder team matches
KNIGHTS (NSWRL)
SAT
Newcastle v Norths (SOU) @ McDonald Jones Stadium, Flegg 3:30pm / ISP 5:35pm

BRONCOS (QRL - Norths, Redcliffe, Souths Logan, Ipswich, Wynnum)
SAT
Ipswich v Pride (NQL) @ North Ipswich, ISC 3pm
Norths v Thunderbolts (MEL) @ Bishop Park, Colts 3:50pm
Capras v Ipswich @ Maurie Webb Park Yeppoon, Colts 4:30pm
Norths v PNG Hunters @ Bishop Park, ISC 5:30pm
SUN
Easts (MEL) v Redcliffe @ Suzuki Stadium, Colts 11:30am / ISC 3pm
Souths Logan v Wynnum @ Davies Park, Colts 11:50am / ISC 3pm​

 

[mozza91]

Please pretty f**king please beat these assholes. Bennett, Boyd, Sims and Bird surely there’s enough motivation there.

 

[Knightmare]

Of course we're the first team they play after getting rolled by the f**king Titans. Bet you Thaiday and Daaaaarius come out and play their best games of the season, too.

If Knights place more importance on completing sets, keeping the penalty count low and don't throw away the ball through lack of respect for possession, they should win. Emphasis on the word 'should'. Ever since Uncle Wayne left and took his pet with him, we've either been woefully uncompetitive or dug a hole for ourselves through dumb football whenever he's returned to face us.

It'd sure be nice to beat those pricks for the first time in 5 years instead of being the side who plays them back into form and makes them look good- they're ripe for the picking at this moment...

 

[Spot On]

Please pretty f**king please beat these assholes. Bennett, Boyd, Sims and Bird surely there’s enough motivation there.

There' seeme to be enough motivation for the fans.

For the players...... well....... we are still waiting unfortunately.

 

[Haffa]

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

SQUAD

1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
3. Sione Mata’utia
4. Nathan Ross
5. Ken Sio
6. Brock Lamb
7. Mitchell Pearce (c)
8. Herman Ese’ese
9. Slade Griffin
10. Jacob Lillyman
11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
12. Aidan Guerra
13. Mitch Barnett

14. Jamie Buhrer
15. Chris Heighington
16. Jacob Saifiti
17. Daniel Saifiti

18. Luke Yates
19. Jack Cogger
20. Danny Levi
21. Cory Denniss

 

[Hardcore_Fan]

Probably what was expected. Hopefully a few of the guys look to aim up a bit better this week.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

As expected. I thought Denniss would be next in line in the backs. Brown talked him up a bit pre-season.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

SQUAD

1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
3. Sione Mata’utia
4. Nathan Ross
5. Ken Sio
6. Brock Lamb
7. Mitchell Pearce (c)
8. Herman Ese’ese
9. Slade Griffin
10. Jacob Lillyman
11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
12. Aidan Guerra
13. Mitch Barnett

14. Jamie Buhrer
15. Chris Heighington
16. Jacob Saifiti
17. Daniel Saifiti

18. Luke Yates
19. Jack Cogger
20. Danny Levi
21. Cory Denniss

This is pretty much the team most of us would have expected. That being said I hope that Brown has had a chat to a few guys to let them know they're on their last chance before having a stint in NSW Cup. The guys that spring to mind are Barnett and the Saifitis, all three have been pretty disappointing so far.

Also I don't mind Ross in the centres, he's a decent one on one defender and hopefully it stops him being out of position on the wing all the time, Sio on the other hand isn't flashy but is a pretty solid defensive winger so hopefully this will tighten up that edge a bit.

 

[NK Arsenal]

Glad they have done the smart thing and kept SKD on wing on the same side instead of moving him to the other side to fill the void left by Moga
I really hope Levi can get himself in to the 17, got to wonder if there is an internal issue with him

 

[Jono078]

Happy to see Ross get the centre gig. Hopefully this brings back some of his enthusiasm and high energy.

 

[Spot On]

If the pack actually has a go and runs hard and tackles hard we might be a chance. If they don't then questions need to be asked about when they might start doing their job. Watching blokes get absolutely belted when carrying the ball and then being run over when defending or unable to put a player on the ground or stop offloads with three defenders in a tackle has to embarrass someone at the club sooner rather than later doesn't it?
Or is that the standard of players we have atm?

 

[Hardcore_Fan]

Apparently Levi has been told by Brown that he will be playing.

Not sure who’s going to make way for him tho.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

Apparently Levi has been told by Brown that he will be playing.

Not sure who’s going to make way for him tho.

Article by Toohey
http://www.theherald.com.au/story/5...end-his-exile-against-broncos/?cs=306#slide=2

 

[Old dog]

If Levi is in the 17 then you would assume Buhrer goes.
Can't believe we have retained the same squad, minus Moga replaced by Sio. Surely some, especially DSaf, JSaf and Barnett have been put on warning, perform show aggression or meet the reserve coach. 2/4 is ok result but those three have not performed like last year, others are not going well but it's a case of weakest link and they are. Am happy with Esee, Lillyman, Griffin, Fitz and Guerra but they must feel let down by teammates when things go flat. Still can make positional changes like Heighinton to 13, Barnett to bench if something happens during warmup to a middle forward then it's Yates, why Cogger, Levi and Dennis 18-21?

 

[Glendale]

If Levi is in the 17 then you would assume Buhrer goes.

I don't think so. With Watson out, Buhrer is our utility as he's the only guy who you could move out to the backs if there's an injury, we need him in the side. I reckon its gonna be Barnett or Jacob who drops off.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

I say J Saf will drop off if Levi comes up to firsts..

 

[Mr_Knightside]

I just want to see Barnett fire up and show some mongrel like he used to. Maybe he's been a bit gun shy this year after being run over a couple of times in defence in the first two rounds including that concussion he had in round 2. On his day he's our best forward imo but has looked pretty docile so far.

Dan and Jacob also need a wake up call. When you're 8 foot tall and about 130kg (exaggerating obviously) you should be running over people all day not meandering into the defence and being rolled onto your back.

These three have one more week to step up and dominate and if not I'd like to see Brown make an example.

 

[Old dog]

See Gag's on wing for Bunnies.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

See Gag's on wing for Bunnies.

Wasn't he their marquee signing? How much did they pay for him again? About $700K from memory, that's massive overs for a winger hahaha!