2020 team

[perverse]

Fitz turned to garbage the minute every team figured out how to contain him off Ponga's hip. That was literally the only string in his bow. Now he's just a bog average backrower that provides zero.

 

[Knight Vision]

We need leaders at the club.

Pearce isnt one. He also is a second fiddle half not the go to man.

He's Newcastle's Ben Hunt.

Off contract 2020

FIVE-EIGHTH

Alexander Brimson, Jake Clifford, Kane Elgey, Kieran Foran, Blake Green, Adam Keighran, Lachlan Lam, Jeremy Marshall-King, Tyrone May, Nathaniel Roache, Jaeman Salmon, Will Smith, Tommy Talau, Chad Townsend, Cody Walker, Connor Watson

16 players off contract

HALFBACK
Jack Cogger, Dylan Edwards, Cooper Johns, Lachlan Lewis, Mason Lino, Luke Metcalf, Tyrone Roberts, Aidan Sezer, Braydon Trindall, Brandon Wakeham

10 players off contract

 

[Spot On]

The very reason Roosters replaced him.

He is on massive overs and our cap is looking to be a problem again.

Let's hope Brailey is some sort of cure for the side and that O'Brien and his staff can improve what we have on the books.

 

[slotmachine]

How likely do you think it is the club goes out to find another halfback when they're paying Pearce almost a million a year...

Zero chance.

 

[Old dog]

How likely do you think it is the club goes out to find another halfback when they're paying Pearce almost a million a year...

Zero chance.

Don’t need to build the team around him, 3-4 good players, may have to wait until 2021, 5/8, centre, 2nd row would do first off along with some sensible coaching and a couple of juniors coming through.
Not sure if everyone is working together but that is what’s most needed.

 

[Knight Vision]

How likely do you think it is the club goes out to find another halfback when they're paying Pearce almost a million a year...

Zero chance.

for sure they wont be able to afford a high end player. I wouldnt be re-signing Pearce.

I'd look for a quality young player with high end potential as a half and if Pearce isnt performing then drop him. At the moment Pearce seems comfy just phoning it in.

 

[Yosh]

Pearce is a good player. Good halfback. A real competitor.

But what he ain't, he ain't a professional.

Tries hard when he feels like it but isn't your go to man. He should lose his captaincy. Can't believe how crap he plays when he feels like not playing...

 

[perverse]

We need a Chad Townsend or a Blake Green type. Someone who can get in there, get the basics right and steer the ship without costing an arm and a leg.

 

[Knight Vision]

Pearce is a good player. Good halfback. A real competitor.

But what he ain't, he ain't a professional.

Tries hard when he feels like it but isn't your go to man. He should lose his captaincy. Can't believe how crap he plays when he feels like not playing...

The Roosters got rid of him because he wasnt the player to take them to a Premiership and he sure as shit isnt going to take us anywhere near it.

The lone Premiership they won with him in the side Maloney called the shots.

At the Roosters ( where I dont think he was ever the sole Captain ) he played with a dream team, a team chock full of experienced leaders and international quality players and he still couldnt steer them to a Premiership.

Rolling into next year we have hardly any leaders in the squad and with a lack of quality leadership in the halves I fear another season of f**king woe.

 

[newyboy]

Townsend and Foran would be a great combo and only cost Pearce's wage or a tad more. The DOGS have a roster which is below the Knights, but they have so much more potential then we do. I think they will kill it next year with the same roster.

Ponga needs to be content with the money he is on, or let him go.

We need some forwards with Leg Speed.

 

[Old dog]

We were so happy signing Pearce and Ponga, talked of semi’s/finals now we are so down on them, sure results have been poor but the problem is not the problem of ability but team effort, playing for each other and club, the team is individually good enough but team wise are not.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

People definitely need to calm down. Pearce has had a really up and down year as has Ponga. For Ponga I’ll put it down to second year syndrome and also the fact that teams are targeting him a lot more now.

For Pearce I’m not quite sure what the problem is but it’s clear that on his best form he’s one of if not the best half in the comp. His form during that 6 week winning run was magic and his form last year was up there too.

Problem is that he went into a massive slump after that which also coincided with a team form slump. I’m not sure what all that was about but I’ll reserve judgement on Pearce until I’ve seen what O’Brien can get out of him. If O’Brien feels that he can’t get the best out of Pearce I’m sure he’ll look to move him on.

 

[Knight Vision]

We were so happy signing Pearce and Ponga, talked of semi’s/finals now we are so down on them,

I was and still am all for Ponga, the kid could be anything. Just needs a good leader and strong culture in which to flourish.

Ponga as with many of the youngsters will follow their leaders. They react accordingly to the climate that is set for them by leaders within the team

Pearce on the other hand is altogether different. Never liked him as a player and he's done nothing to change my opinion. He's the million dollar baby, the so called Captain of the side, the man responsible for setting standards and discipline within the team. The man responsible for creating the climate and leading the youngsters.

 

[Old dog]

People definitely need to calm down. Pearce has had a really up and down year as has Ponga. For Ponga I’ll put it down to second year syndrome and also the fact that teams are targeting him a lot more now.

For Pearce I’m not quite sure what the problem is but it’s clear that on his best form he’s one of if not the best half in the comp. His form during that 6 week winning run was magic and his form last year was up there too.

Problem is that he went into a massive slump after that which also coincided with a team form slump. I’m not sure what all that was about but I’ll reserve judgement on Pearce until I’ve seen what O’Brien can get out of him. If O’Brien feels that he can’t get the best out of Pearce I’m sure he’ll look to move him on.

The problem is just not Pearce but team harmony, they are not playing for each other.
Moving Pearce on, if want to or not, will be difficult due to salary and age, who will want him and how much will they contribute towards it all. No we have him until he decides he is done or his contract is done. We need to build around our better players, improve the weaker areas and develop our younger players.

 

[Knight Vision]

For Pearce I’m not quite sure what the problem is

Just being the same Pearce he has always been.

His form during that 6 week winning run was magic and his form last year was up there too.

Unfortunately the season is 25 games and not 6

 

[Knight Vision]

The problem is just not Pearce but team harmony, they are not playing for each other.
Moving Pearce on, if want to or not, will be difficult due to salary and age, who will want him and how much will they contribute towards it all. No we have him until he decides he is done or his contract is done. We need to build around our better players, improve the weaker areas and develop our younger players.

Putting aside that team harmony and playing for each other is part of his responsibility- Yep we are pretty much stuck with him. We need to find some quality to put around him and hopefully jag a Premiership like the Roosters did.

 

[Spot On]

Geez KV

You've gone hard on Pearce.

Surprising his supporters haven't jumped out to attack you yet.

What's holding them back???

 

[macavity]

Pearce and Ponga can be part of the solution.

We need significant roster churn though.

 

[TooheysNew]

Geez KV

You've gone hard on Pearce.

Surprising his supporters haven't jumped out to attack you yet.

What's holding them back???

Compassion. He had to sit through the same 80 minutes I did. He can be forgiven for wanting a scapegoat.

 

[Silent Knight]

Geez KV

You've gone hard on Pearce.

Surprising his supporters haven't jumped out to attack you yet.

What's holding them back???

I don’t agree with KV on his Pearce stance but in saying that I value KV’s input on most Knights related matters.