Around the Grounds

[SamSepi0l]

Just a threat at all would be a start.

I didn't even make it that far.

Imagine having a halfback.

 

[Old dog]

So based on Crossland form for NZ in the hooking position do we lock him in and now settle for our spine of Ponga, Brown, Sandton and Crosslands and play Sharpe Centre/wing

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Maybe but Id feel more comfortable if we have another genuine NRL hooking option to at least spell Phoenix for 15-20min. Im not convinced Arthur is that player

 

[Woosh]

No rest for the old fella.
Out in the bush working on his goal kicking.
Struck them pretty clean from both sidelines.
With both him and Sandon converting them at 83% this season, Newcastle have some goal kicking depth next year. Something they haven’t had in a long time.

Led his side through undefeated and snatched a famous victory in the final with a goal in the last 6 seconds of the tournament that included familiar faces Ben Barba, Josh Dugan etc

 

[Old dog]

Maybe Gamble 5-10 either side of half time might work, think Arthur should develop a bit more before being thrown in.
Biggest worry is injury to Crossy

 

[Dr Dr Gimedanews]

Maybe Gamble 5-10 either side of half time might work, think Arthur should develop a bit more before being thrown in.
Biggest worry is injury to Crossy

the club will be doing well when players the skill level of Gamble are in cup.

So based on Crossland form for NZ in the hooking position do we lock him in and now settle for our spine of Ponga, Brown, Sandton and Crosslands and play Sharpe Centre/wing

Crossland is a genuine top line 14 ( could throw him into 13 if we dont have anyone else )

Sharpe is a weapon, 1 of our best in fact, he has to be near the ball somewhere. Is he a top line 6 right now? no, but the Knights need to learn the patience to develop players.

Ponga - Sharpe - Brown - Smith - Crossland 14

are stronger than

Ponga - Brown - Smith - Crossland - ??? Sharpe ? 14

 

[Knight Tales]

Sharpe playing in the halves should only be during an injury crisis with KP fit. He can move there in the latter part of his career after another few full time seasons in the backs. Smith and Brown is a strong halves combo. Sandon has the smarts to be a quality 7.

 

[SamSepi0l]

Until I see something that changes my mind I still think the plan is Sharpe/Brown as halves, Sandon/Phoenix as 9s.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

My main problem with Sharpe being in the halves is that he’s the logical successor to KP at fullback, and I think the chances of KP staying after his contract is finished (or even beyond 2026) are very slim unless we somehow turn ourselves into a top 4 team very quickly. So do we play Sharpe at 5/8 for the next 2 seasons then just move him back to FB? Seems like a waste imo when we could have a much more settled halves combo, which we desperately need.

If I were the coach I’d be leaning towards a Smith/Brown halves combo with Phoenix at 9 and KP at the back. Sharpe can play left wing at the expense of Marzhew and then take over from KP eventually. This also has the added bonus of not changing the team dynamic much when KP is inevitably injured or if he lands the no.14 role for QLD. So Sharpe can move from wing to FB to cover with minimal disruptions.

Don’t get me wrong I saw some things I liked when he played 5/8 this year but I just get the impression that Sharpe in the halves is still an experiment that may not be seen through and it will frustrate me a lot if he ends up learning 5/8 for another year or two only to be moved again later when we probably need a FB again. Further to that he’d be keeping Sandon out of the halves who I think on balance is a better option.

In fairness there’s pros and cons to both ways of doing it so I don’t think either option is a slam dunk but whatever option Holbrook chooses to go with I think that needs to be the long term plan. Keep the same spine together for as long as it takes (barring injury) to get them firing. Not chopping and changing every few weeks.

 

[Yosh]

My main problem with Sharpe being in the halves is that he’s the logical successor to KP at fullback, and I think the chances of KP staying after his contract is finished (or even beyond 2026) are very slim unless we somehow turn ourselves into a top 4 team very quickly. So do we play Sharpe at 5/8 for the next 2 seasons then just move him back to FB? Seems like a waste imo when we could have a much more settled halves combo, which we desperately need.

If I were the coach I’d be leaning towards a Smith/Brown halves combo with Phoenix at 9 and KP at the back. Sharpe can play left wing at the expense of Marzhew and then take over from KP eventually. This also has the added bonus of not changing the team dynamic much when KP is inevitably injured or if he lands the no.14 role for QLD. So Sharpe can move from wing to FB to cover with minimal disruptions.

Don’t get me wrong I saw some things I liked when he played 5/8 this year but I just get the impression that Sharpe in the halves is still an experiment that may not be seen through and it will frustrate me a lot if he ends up learning 5/8 for another year or two only to be moved again later when we probably need a FB again. Further to that he’d be keeping Sandon out of the halves who I think on balance is a better option.

In fairness there’s pros and cons to both ways of doing it so I don’t think either option is a slam dunk but whatever option Holbrook chooses to go with I think that needs to be the long term plan. Keep the same spine together for as long as it takes (barring injury) to get them firing. Not chopping and changing every few weeks.

Sounds very logical. Sharpe is going to be Sharpe regardless of the number on his back.

 

[SamSepi0l]

If you stick with Sharpe, maybe the long term idea is Votano, Sharpe, Brown, 9.

 

[Knight Tales]

Dom has a fracture in his foot and won’t be playing the third test.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Likley 6-8 weeks recovery time

Probably not too bad considering

 

[ryan.a87]

Imagine if it was his lisfranc

we would have to be the most unlucky club with those injuries

 

[Tom155]

Brown continues looking spectacular all pacific champs exciting

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

If DylBro doesn't get the golden boot, deadset...

 

[AusKnightRKO]

If he comes up here and plays like this, legitimately could go from spoon to Semi’s in a season, let alone the fact it will help attract talent.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Crossland has shown he's not only a genuine 9 but a rep quality one. He has been fantastic

 

[Yosh]

Do we suddenly have a Premiership winnable spine?

 

[ryan.a87]

Based on this weekend, you would think nz would probably beat Australia

so in theory we have a pretty handy spine

just need the fowards to lay the platform