Round 1 team lists

[Spot On]

Ah Skeepe, beautiful stuff. That will be a good bump in six months time.

 

[innsaneink]

This is one of three games Im having trouble tipping in rd one.
Penrith Dogs and Souths roosters the other
Probably go with the Knights...

 

[eozsmiles]

Mullen never deserved the hype in the first place.

Joey was pinging off his melon when Mullen came through, so everything looked f**king AWESOME to him.

Mullen has never done anything, apart from kick a FG in a semi instead of Joey 6 years ago.

WOW!! Give him a rep jumper!

Mullen should play better now that he's a bit more settled off the park.

 

[anjado]

Tuimavave was a solid contributor but nothing special, he was made to look better by the fact that Antonio Kaufusi was an oxygen thief. I think by mid year quite a few people will be talking about Zane Tetevano.
In 2010 the dragons won it with a prop rotation of Weyman (playing on one leg), Costigan, Saffy, and Merrin. I'd definitely put Snowden in the same class as Weyman and I'd consider Fa'aoso and Cuthbertson to be atleast the equal of Saffy and Merrin.

Dragons also had Jeremy Smith who provided enough grunt to help the front rowers. Knights front row isn't horrible it's just average remember Cuthbertson before last season was considered one of the worst signings ever for the Sharks if he slips in form again the Knights could be in trouble.

Knights don't have bad front rowers but comparing them to other teams they are one of the worst.

 

[jonno_knights]

Front rowers are overrated in this day and age. The majority of players have the size and strength to make metres out of danger. Look at Aku and McManus, both make great metres working it out of their own half. Our centres are both strong ball runners too, both who have played backrow in their careers. And our backrow features two players who played front row in 2009, and then Taia who gets over 100m most weeks he starts.

And across the park the knights have numerous textbook tacklers, who might not be the biggest in size, but know how to hit hard.

Personally I cannot see a major disadvantage is in having a smaller forward back in the modern game. Cronulla and Canberra have had monster packs the last few years, but both were dissappointing in 2011.

 

[Allstar Knights]

Dragons also had Jeremy Smith who provided enough grunt to help the front rowers. Knights front row isn't horrible it's just average remember Cuthbertson before last season was considered one of the worst signings ever for the Sharks if he slips in form again the Knights could be in trouble.

Knights don't have bad front rowers but comparing them to other teams they are one of the worst.

The Knights prop rotation doesn't look the best on paper, but it will surprise a few imo. Snowden is obviously our #1 prop on paper. Don't be surprised to see Richie Fa'aoso have a big year off the bench though. When in form, he provides great impact off the bench with his kamikaze runs.

Cuthbertson has been in and out of FG for a while now, but after watching him in the Dragons v Broncos final last year, he's a much better player then I thought. Apparently he's earned the starting spot by playing well in the trials.

The Knights also have Neville Costigan at lock. He will probably be used as a 3rd prop, as well as providing us with some grunt.

 

[anjado]

Front rowers are overrated in this day and age. The majority of players have the size and strength to make metres out of danger. Look at Aku and McManus, both make great metres working it out of their own half. Our centres are both strong ball runners too, both who have played backrow in their careers. And our backrow features two players who played front row in 2009, and then Taia who gets over 100m most weeks he starts.

And across the park the knights have numerous textbook tacklers, who might not be the biggest in size, but know how to hit hard.

Personally I cannot see a major disadvantage is in having a smaller forward back in the modern game. Cronulla and Canberra have had monster packs the last few years, but both were dissappointing in 2011.

Front rowers aren't overrated have you not watched the state of origin for the past 5 years ? Queensland's entire success has been off the work of Petero Civoniceva,Steve Price,Ben Hannant and Matt Scott. The only game NSW have dominated in this time period was when Gallen played the best game of his career and was able to match there props.

Canberra had loads of injuries last season but 2 seasons ago were a Terry Campese injury away from making the Grand Final. Cronulla have had the worst backline in the competition for about 5 years, so they haven't been good enough to capitalize on their forwards dominance.

I agree with the Uate thing he is a massive help bringing the ball back and helping out the forwards. I think with the Knights they should make the top 4 but i think they might struggle to win a premiership with that forward pack.

 

[jonno_knights]

Front rowers aren't overrated have you not watched the state of origin for the past 5 years ? Queensland's entire success has been off the work of Petero Civoniceva,Steve Price,Ben Hannant and Matt Scott. The only game NSW have dominated in this time period was when Gallen played the best game of his career and was able to match there props.

Canberra had loads of injuries last season but 2 seasons ago were a Terry Campese injury away from making the Grand Final. Cronulla have had the worst backline in the competition for about 5 years, so they haven't been good enough to capitalize on their forwards dominance.

I agree with the Uate thing he is a massive help bringing the ball back and helping out the forwards. I think with the Knights they should make the top 4 but i think they might struggle to win a premiership with that forward pack.

They NRL and SOO are two completely different forms of the game in my eyes, it is unofficially played by a different set of rules, which make it resemble a forward battle of the 80's. NRL is a different kettle of fish.

Newcastle has never had much trouble in making metres and getting to the other end of the field, what they have had trouble with is finishing off attacking sets with poor 5th tackle options, aswell as going missing for periods of games.

 

[anjado]

They NRL and SOO are two completely different forms of the game in my eyes, it is unofficially played by a different set of rules, which make it resemble a forward battle of the 80's. NRL is a different kettle of fish.

Newcastle has never had much trouble in making metres and getting to the other end of the field, what they have had trouble with is finishing off attacking sets with poor 5th tackle options, aswell as going missing for periods of games.

Fine then, Manly have a big forward pack they are currently premiers. Warriors have one of the best front row rotations in the competition they are runners up. Penrith came 2nd in the minor premiership 2 years ago on the back of a big forward pack. So it still obviously matters its not the most important thing but it still matters.

Newcastle probably did have other problems previously but there is far more pressure on Newcastle to perform this year then there has been in any season since Johns retired.

 

[Spot On]

The Knights prop rotation doesn't look the best on paper, but it will surprise a few imo. Snowden is obviously our #1 prop on paper. Don't be surprised to see Richie Fa'aoso have a big year off the bench though. When in form, he provides great impact off the bench with his kamikaze runs.

Cuthbertson has been in and out of FG for a while now, but after watching him in the Dragons v Broncos final last year, he's a much better player then I thought. Apparently he's earned the starting spot by playing well in the trials.

The Knights also have Neville Costigan at lock. He will probably be used as a 3rd prop, as well as providing us with some grunt.

He was an absolute standout that night. Made the rest look as they were - ordinary.

 

[proto]

I thought when Cuthbertson has played well it's in more of an impact back rower way rather than meters up the middle. I think he's wasted that way if that's how they're gonna play him.

 

[hellteam]

That Knights team, even with Bennett, are surely no chance at the premiership. For some reason I had it in my head at the end of last year that their line up would be way better, but looking at that, just no.

Halves are terrible, hooker is past it, centres average too. no real good wide running attacking back rowers (Cuthbertson is quite good but he's at prop for some reason)

They will be good defensively (like the dragons were), and will probably make the eight, but I don't think they'll have as many points in them as dragons 2009-2010 did.

However one person I am expecting to have a massive year is Boyd.

 

[Fingerbang]

However one person I am expecting to have a massive year is Boyd.

....as long as his teammates keep him away from their wives or girlfriends. The guy is a dog.

 

[hardbaby]

I will say, all that considered i am itching for the knigths v dragons game though, almost shate my pants when i saw it was being played live on Channel Nein.

"Channel Nein". Is that the new German sports channel hosted by Laurie Daleyberg and Paul Vautinmann?

Almost "shate" your pants? Do you hate your pants, ate your pants and did you shit in your pants?

 

[Fingerbang]

Probably just sharted.

 

[Raider_69]

definitely sharted.

 

[Chip Bayless]

The Newcastle Knights are impressive on paper, I think they contend this season though it will be years two or three when Wayne Bennett gets his Premiership for Nathan Tinkler. There is a total upheaval in Newcastle in terms of how they do things on and off the field. Whilst this was translate to success (a definite top eight team, potentially a top four side), I'd be a little surprised if they took out the title in year one of the Bennett reign (it would be a first for Bennett too).

Jarrod Mullen is the key. If he stays healthy, he is a top echelon half back with a passing and kicking game on par with the best in the game. If Mullen plays to his potential this season combined with a clean bill of health, the Knights may just have the team to beat in 2012.

 

[bluey]

That Knights team, even with Bennett, are surely no chance at the premiership. For some reason I had it in my head at the end of last year that their line up would be way better, but looking at that, just no.

Halves are terrible, hooker is past it, centres average too. no real good wide running attacking back rowers (Cuthbertson is quite good but he's at prop for some reason)

They will be good defensively (like the dragons were), and will probably make the eight, but I don't think they'll have as many points in them as dragons 2009-2010 did.

However one person I am expecting to have a massive year is Boyd.

That is the worst post FFS i am not a knights fan but they have a lot of talent in this team, How they go well its the same question for most clubs.

 

[aqua_duck]

People forget we made the 8 last year and would've finished alot higher if not for a horrific injury toll (pretty sure we used the most players in the NRL last season) and our inability to play 80 minutes. Many matches we had teams on the ropes at halftime only for them take take advantage of our lack of fitness. Apparently Hickman's has been smashing them in the offseason and Bennett has instilled a whole new intensity at training. Add to that we've cut the deadwood (Kaufusi, Tolar, Ciraldo, McDonell, Taufua, Rogers, etc) and replaced them with Boyd, Snowden, Tahu, Buderus, Cuthbertson, and Alex McKinnon

 

[Dazraider]

Knights have a great pack.
Buderus back in the side will help them plenty with his experience and you don't lose the class he was in or may still be.
Snowden,Cuthbertson(is ok) Taia(great attacking forward)Costigan,Houstan are all no slouches.
They got no problems with the forwards they just have to get the defence back in the backline happening as they have had weak defence out there for a couple of years