2008 - Your Thoughts?

[Bicey_18]

Sorry if this thread has been done but what are your thoughts of the 2008 season?

I personally think we will either finish just in the 8 or just outside it. The news of Simpson and Buderus possibly not taking part in next year's SOO would do wonders for our season. I think our new purchases will be great for us and replacing the deadwood that we had this year, I can see us having a pretty good year.

The competition for positions will be fierce and something we havent had at the club for many years. Guys like Vuna, Uate, Lulia, Johnson all vying for positions in the backline and Ciraldo, Houston, Royal, Wicks, Fa'aso, Finefuiaki competing for the forwards, who ever starts the year will have to fight tooth and nail to keep their spots.

Our backline looks pretty good this year with the combination of speed, power and reliability. I will look forward to seeing how the MacDougalls line up, if the combination clicks and becomes a danger for the opposition. We have a pretty good selection of backs this season:

Gidley, L MacDougall, A MacDougall, McManus, Naiqama, Lulia, Vuna, Uate, Johnson

Our halves look pretty good as well ... with Mullen and Walsh looking to have a good 2008. Both rarely played together in 07 due to injuries but will look forward to a injury free season in 08 and strike up a deadly combo. Add in Dureau, who is a more than capable replacement.

Forward pack looks awesome... Cross, Buderus, Sargent, Simpson, Paterson, Hilder, Wicks, Fa'aso, Taia, Royal, Ciraldo, Finefuiaki, White. Definently some talent there and some depth as well. I think our forwards will do great things. Look out for Danny Wicks off the bench as well as Richard Fa'aso.. impact players imo.

Over all I am optismistic about 08, we have gotten rid of the players that werent performing and have replaced them with better players. Given a relatively injury free season, a warning for the 15 other sides.. the Knights are coming!

Gains

Danny Wicks(Dragons), Chris Houston(Dragons), Wes Naiqama(Dragons), Keith Lulia(Dragons), Richard Fa'aso(Eels), Matt Hilder(Titans), Cameron Ciraldo(Sharks), Ben Cross(Storm), Sione Finefuiaki(Eagles)

Losses

Paul Franze (France), Adam Woolnough(Panthers), Josh Perry(Eagles), Daniel Abraham(CC Storm), Riley Brown(Released), Reegan Tanner(Released), George Carmont(Wigan), Brad Tighe(Panthers), Kirk Reynoldson(Dragons)


2008 Probable Side:

1. Kurt Gidley
2. Luke MacDougall
3. Adam MacDougall
4. James McManus
5. Wes Naiqama
6. Jarrod Mullen
7. Luke Walsh
8. Ben Cross
9. Danny Buderus
10. Mitchell Sargent
11. Steve Simpson
12. Cory Paterson
13. Matt Hilder

14. Danny Wicks
15. Richard Fa'aso
16. Zeb Taia
17. Chris Houston

 

[NthKnight]

Injuries will be the key for the blue and reds (or lack of) for a top 8 finish IMO. The competition for positions will be fierce and hopefully keep the boys sharp and 100% committed, unlike season 07.

After what ended up as a pretty awful season 07, I cannot wait for season 08 to start.

 

[KniGhTs BaTTLeR]

I think if we can keep the same halves combination for 85% of the year we can make the 8 but alot relies on Mullen, Walsh and Dureau to be consistent each week, the players they have around them will get the job done. A big year from Bedsy and Simmo is needed aswell but they perform every year so i'd say that's a given.

Hopefully Smith can stay away from his mind games with the players and keep them in the same positions and stop chopping and changing each week. I'm a bit worried about all the competition for some spots, maybe some of the guys will try and act a hero to cement a spot and not play a team game. I've haven't been this nervous or excited before a season in a while though, I know we can do good things.

 

[MSKnight]

Ive thought alot about the team we are going to have on the Park for Round 1.

1. Gidley
2. Naiqama
3. McManus
4. Lulia
5. Vuna
6. Mullen
7. DEREAU
8. Cross
9. Buderus
10. Sargent
11. Simpson
12. Paterson
13. HOUSTON

14. Wicks
15. Taia
16. Hilder
17. Royal

 

[perverse]

it all depends on our halves. the rest of the team is just about guaranteed to perform with so much depth and competition for spots. we need mullen and either dureau or walsh to step up to the plate big time. i can see us nested quite comfortably in the 8 if the halves are worked out. i really think we can be the surprise packet of 08 if things go according to plan. anywhere from 4th to 12th is quite feasible imo.

 

[macavity]

Ive thought alot about the team we are going to have on the Park for Round 1.

1. Gidley
2. Naiqama
3. McManus
4. Lulia
5. Vuna
6. Mullen
7. DEREAU
8. Cross
9. Buderus
10. Sargent
11. Simpson
12. Paterson
13. HOUSTON

14. Wicks
15. Taia
16. Hilder
17. Royal

close, but Lulia won't be there (and A Doogs will), and Tolar will be there over Taia. Also would not be surprised to see Bailey in the 17 somewhere.

 

[gorilla with a shotgun]

wooden spoon

 

[Bicey_18]

close, but Lulia won't be there (and A Doogs will), and Tolar will be there over Taia. Also would not be surprised to see Bailey in the 17 somewhere.

I really hope your wrong... Id have Taia over Tolar anyday

 

[Bicey_18]

wooden spoon

You posted this in the wrong thread Gorilla... This is the Newcastle Knights forum, not the Canberra Raiders forum.. a few more up and you should find it easy ;-)

 

[roopy]

We have a very inexperienced side, but we also have the biggest, most athletic and hopefully the fittest side ever.
Our senior guys, Bedsy, Simmo, Kidley and Cross, can lead these young giants to a really strong finish if they can keep on the field.
We also have heaps of players who are basically on the cusp of being good firstgraders - as many as 30 of them - so Smith has the task of putting together a winning team from the heaps of material he has to work with.
I think we will start the season mid field and improve all season till we can really match it with the top four by finals time.
We will be contenders if the four senior guys stay fit.

 

[Spike]

My expectations aren't that high based on our inexperienced halves. It's going to take time for Mullen/Walsh/Dureau/Hilder/Bailey/whoeverelse to form the right combinations. I do like the look of our foward pack and our speedier outside backs. I would consider anything higher than 12th a good year.

 

[darkness]

It's def a strong side, and guys like Tana Wulf might be a suprise signing, he has deceptive speed from what I had seen. I had my doubts at last season's end but watching them over at Dangar park a couple of times, the size skill and strength they have across the park is really of high calibre. I just couldn't get over how tall the forwards were, the average height looked to be about 6'2 and a solid 6'2. Patto, Houston, Ciraldo, Cross, Wulf, Lui all looked towering, and the back line were quite solid as well with the likes of Naiquama, Jnr Sau, Vuna who were all stockier then your average back. If they can click and be injury free I can see a top 6 finish.

 

[perverse]

We have a very inexperienced side, but we also have the biggest, most athletic and hopefully the fittest side ever.
Our senior guys, Bedsy, Simmo, Kidley and Cross, can lead these young giants to a really strong finish if they can keep on the field.
We also have heaps of players who are basically on the cusp of being good firstgraders - as many as 30 of them - so Smith has the task of putting together a winning team from the heaps of material he has to work with.
I think we will start the season mid field and improve all season till we can really match it with the top four by finals time.
We will be contenders if the four senior guys stay fit.

couldn't agree more.

 

[Burwood]

It's going to be a frustrating year. I'm expecting a lot of tightly lost games because of our halves pairing- can't really see them being able to string together solid performances week in week out. I think we'll finish around the top 8.

 

[Jobdog]

2008 is what I am going to refer to as "Heading into the great unknown". We have NFI how the team is going to play courtesy of the large turnover of players this year, albeit about 3 or 4 years overdue. As is the case with every side and has been mentioned here already, the form of our halves will be a contributing factor as to how well we will go throughout the season. If they're consistent for 2/3's of the season, and we have a good run with injuries, we'll finish in the top 6. If they're only consistent for half the season, we'll finish about 10th. A lot of ifs and buts and maybe's, but it is an exciting time to be a Knights fan

 

[Newie is God's Country]

Top eight. I think that should be the aim. I expect a marquee signing in 2009. My tip : Benji Marshall.

 

[gorilla with a shotgun]

You posted this in the wrong thread Gorilla... This is the Newcastle Knights forum, not the Canberra Raiders forum.. a few more up and you should find it easy ;-)

Im not as optimistic as the some of the other Raiders supporters and if we happen to make the 8 i will be over the moon and wouldnt expect much more even though we could surprise some of the major contenders next year if we are playing at canberra. In saying that i will be dissapointed if all of St George, Bulldogs, Titans, Roosters + Newcastle finish in front of us as im sure you would be dissapointed if Canberra and the group finsihed in front of you. Actually imo there are only 2 or 3 teams that are almost certaintys to make the 8 so the top 8 next yr could be entirely different then this yrs. I hope the knights dont get the spoon but thats who i think will.
Anyway im sure none of you give a sh*t about my opinion

 

[darkness]

I am predicting Bailey and Mullen to be the Halves if Walsh doesn't make the pitch come first round. Maybe even if Walsh is fit come first round, Bailey has been training well by the sound of it and has good size and decent speed.

 

[Pika]

I am predicting Bailey and Mullen to be the Halves if Walsh doesn't make the pitch come first round. Maybe even if Walsh is fit come first round, Bailey has been training well by the sound of it and has good size and decent speed.

What about Dureau, any chance?

 

[TooheysNew]

Top eight. I think that should be the aim. I expect a marquee signing in 2009. My tip : Benji Marshall.

No thanks.