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Around the Grounds

Woosh

Head Moderator
Messages
1,088
We're 10 rounds in and the Knights are precariously placed, having just three wins and a draw in the bank with plenty left to do to seriously challenge for an NRL finals berth. So who is flying and who needs to lift their game?

OUR RATINGS
Lachie Miller: Was sensational early and is averaging 190 metres a game but some recent errors and costly missed goals have lowered his boom a little. Love his enthusiasm. 8

Dom Young: Has scored nine tries in eight games and can't question his strike and finishing ability. But he's had issues in defence and under the high ball and can be lazy. 7

Dane Gagai: Relishing his leadership role and is playing as good as ever. His defence has improved, has 52 tackle breaks in eight games and is averaging 173 metres a game. Origin certainty. 8.5

Enari Tuala: His only game was in round one with Gagai sidelined and he was hardly sighted. 2

Bradman Best: Injury-free and has been playing some consistent footy with a try and six try-assists to his credit. Has had some issues in defence. 6.5

Greg Marzhew: Has been a revelation. In six games, the former Titan has scored six tries, busted 46 tackles and is averaging a team high 197 metres. Great pick-up. 8

Hymel Hunt: Was solid in his four games in the top grade but may need an injury to get back in. 5

Tyson Gamble: A real competitor and there is a lot to like about his in-your-face approach. His form at five-eighth has put some real heat on Ponga to aim up. 7

Kalyn Ponga: Played well in round one against the Warriors but his concussion dramas have clouded his season. A horror performance against the Eels has him under enormous pressure to perform. 5

Jackson Hastings: Has been battling ankle and hamstring issues but has been the steadying influence the side has needed. 7.5

Daniel Saifiti: Has bravely played all nine games despite suffering a partial shoulder dislocation against the Dolphins in round three. Hasn't been as dominant since and will relish the bye. 6.5

Leo Thompson: Started in eight of his nine games in the front row and continues to develop. Averaging 36 tackles a game and nothing wrong with his work ethic. 6.5

Jacob Saifiti: Has played just four games due to suspension and three of those were off the bench. Needs a big back half of the season. 4.5

Jack Hetherington: Hardly trained in the pre-season after surgery and has been used sparingly off the bench. Should be fresh for what's to come. 5

Jayden Brailey: Had his season cruelly cut to just five games because of a knee injury. Had been averaging 40 tackles a game and performing strongly. 7

Phoenix Crossland: Has played all nine games and made a pretty fair fist of filling in at hooker and five-eighth. Scored two tries and is averaging 30 tackles a game. 6.5

Kurt Mann: Has played six games at lock or hooker and was one of his side's best against Penrith. Form only so-so in other games and poor when injured early against the Eels. 6

Tyson Frizell: Has been inspirational in both attack and defence in the eight games he's played and has surely done enough to earn himself another contract. 8

Lachlan Fitzgibbon: An uninterrupted pre-season has rejuvenated Fitzy and his stats in nine games are impressive. Three tries, five line breaks and an average of 37 tackles a game. 7.5

Mat Croker: Has a touch of class and is a point of difference in the forwards. Needs more time on the field. 6.5

Jack Johns: Has had just two starts and two games off the bench so his opportunities have been limited but he's had some good moments including a try against Manly. 4.5

Brodie Jones: Has battled to make an impression in the limited time he has been given before injury. 4

Ellliott ready to hook in
Versatile Adam Elliott's return from injury can't come quick enough for Knights coach Adam O'Brien given the side's hooking dramas.

Barring a setback at training, Elliott should return off the bench against the Titans on Sunday week and, after Kurt Mann's injury, seems certain to spend time deputising at dummy-half for Phoenix Crossland. Elliott played occasionally at hooker for Canberra.

O'Brien will also be hoping a cortisone injection and some time off the training paddock this week thanks to the bye will reinvigorate prop Daniel Saifiti, who has been carrying a shoulder injury.

 

Apey

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
28,263
Plus Mann too high, one good game isn't worth a 6, and Miller probably a 7, would be 8 or 8.5 without the errors. Gagai definitely our best.
 

Jono078

Referee
Messages
21,201
I know there has been some close seasons in recent history but I seriously think this might be the closest ever.

After today we could be 3 points outside of the 8 or 3 points from being bottom of the ladder. Absolutely wild.
 

Apey

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
28,263
We have a lot of tough games left in our draw. In particular a Broncos, Roosters, Panthers run, albeit during Origin. Roosters are awful right now but what's the bet we reignite their season?
 

Jono078

Referee
Messages
21,201
If we're fair dinkum we'll put the Roosters to the sword and get our revenge on Penrith.

Knights to lose all 3.
 
Messages
11,663
I know there has been some close seasons in recent history but I seriously think this might be the closest ever.

After today we could be 3 points outside of the 8 or 3 points from being bottom of the ladder. Absolutely wild.
If we somehow win today, we'll be in the 8.. Until Warriors get their bye points that is.
 

Jono078

Referee
Messages
21,201
If we somehow win today, we'll be in the 8.. Until Warriors get their bye points that is.
I don't know when the NRL changed the BYE points, but it was always previously given after the first game of the round had been played, so I still calculate it like that.

Either way I'd very much like a win today to keep on pace with the top 8!
 

Nuke

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
5,363
I don't know when they changed it either, but this year they seemingly don't give them out until after the last game's complete sometime. Maybe the next day?
 

Jono078

Referee
Messages
21,201
I don't know when they changed it either, but this year they seemingly don't give them out until after the last game's complete sometime. Maybe the next day?
It's really weird. Why even bother giving out the points at all? I thought it used to add excitement to the struggling teams and push them up the ladder after the first game and give their fans a moment of happiness.
 

Nuke

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
5,363
It's really weird. Why even bother giving out the points at all? I thought it used to add excitement to the struggling teams and push them up the ladder after the first game and give their fans a moment of happiness.
Exactly right.
 

aqua_duck

Coach
Messages
18,629
Good to see Klem & Toa doing well for the Tigers
I said it years ago, Toa never got a fair crack under AOB. Toa was a schoolboys star as a fullback or centre where he had space to use his footwork, he literally never played wing until first grade. AOB never gave him an opportunity in his preferred positions and instead chose to use Mann and Hoy. I just don’t understand how AOB can have so much faith in continual under performers like Crossland, Miller, and Mann but close to zero faith in Toa despite his junior pedigree
 

Tom155

Coach
Messages
16,190
I said it years ago, Toa never got a fair crack under AOB. Toa was a schoolboys star as a fullback or centre where he had space to use his footwork, he literally never played wing until first grade. AOB never gave him an opportunity in his preferred positions and instead chose to use Mann and Hoy. I just don’t understand how AOB can have so much faith in continual under performers like Crossland, Miller, and Mann but close to zero faith in Toa despite his junior pedigree
I'm with you, we don't understand a lot of things AOB does/has done sadly

Remember he just needs more time, he's won 4 grand finals! :rolleyes::stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes:
 

Jono078

Referee
Messages
21,201
I actually don't think there is a player that has moved on from us and to another NRL club and actually looked worse, under the AOB era. Anyone?

I guess Connor Watson would be the only one.

I really enjoy watching To'a play in the centres he does a really solid job. Not sure I'd have him over Gagai or Best but still glad to see him do well.
 

Jono078

Referee
Messages
21,201
Add Tigers to the teams that will overtake us soon enough.
We've literally only won 1 more game than them this year. How's that for context.

Like I said earlier though, we're 3 points away from last and 3 points away from 8th. Wild season. We're definitely trending downward though.
 

Tom155

Coach
Messages
16,190
Said it before that young Tigers FB is really impressive, great composure as well nothing seems too big for him

Still 12 to go could be 50+
 
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