First Grade Knights v Bulldogs

[NthKnight]

I really hope those of you going over the top about this team watch NSW Cup closely, because I really don't understand the issue. Better judges than me who do watch reserves don't think that Aku or Sau or whoever it is you're all screaming about not being selected look terribly more likely than Lulia or Vuna. All these guys are young and promising and some inconsistency shouldn't surprise. Vuna has had some outstanding games and some poor ones, Lulia has been very up and down, but a couple of weeks ago everyone was raving about how he handled Hodges and then Folau. If Aku and Sau still get shown up defensively on occasions in reserves do you really think they're certainies to come in and play like seasoned campaigners in week-to-week NRL? I wouldn't have a clue who are going to be the best of the bunch in the long-run. Maybe it will indeed be Aku and Sau, but I just don't see it as a big selection issue all of a sudden. In fact for the expediency of getting a badly needed win on the board, I think chopping and changing when we're dealing with inexperienced players is the worst possible approach. I'd much prefer to see Aku given his first shot in a more stable week, when the team's hopefully got some confidence back, Gids is at fullback, and our leaders are back in the forwards.

As far as the pack goes, who are the truly incredible options being overlooked? I like the little I saw of Taufua last year and White goes OK. Sarge is leaving anyway. Sure Ciraldo hasn't been a standout, Houston's been inconsistent. Wicks has been disappointing but might yet turn his form around. Basically the team looks weak because the players who would really make a difference: Bedsy, Gids, Cross, Simmo aren't available. Shuffling around the up-and-comers and the space-fillers is hardly a big deal. If anything it could further disrupt an already disrupted side.

Imho the hysteria in this thread is based on frustration over the last two weeks performances, and has little logic behind it. Looked at objectively, the whole team lacked focus in defence against the Tiges. This happens to all teams from time to time in a tough NRL season and it's no surprise it happened to a young team backing up from that intense game against the Storm. As for the Warriors game, one of the main reason we lost is that a couple of our usually reliable and very good young players--Dureau especially and to a lesser degree Patto had off days; and a couple of our inconsistent young guys (Vuna, Lulia) weren't at their best either. To be a truly competitive team this year we need our stars to come through Origin healthy, and the younger guys to gradually improve their consistency. If this happens I've no doubt we'll really kick on in the latter part of the season. And issues like whether Ciraldo or Lulia get picked over another rookie or fringe first-grader this particular week, or whether Wicks starts or comes off the bench, is imho a whole lot of fluster over nothing.

Good post BG

I also think that some of the frustration felt by supporters is caused by an over-expectation of the success of season 08 for the Knights. At the start of the year noone really knew what all these changes would do to the side and how our new guys would perform, then when we started the year with a few good wins and a close loss (showing much more heart and fight than any game in 07) our expectations as fans went through the roof. In reality though this season was always going to be the much touted "rebuilding phase" that the club so desperatly needed and with so many new and young guys in the side, some up and down performances were always on the cards.

BTW I am in no way excluding myself from the hysteria displayed on this forum as I too have felt the frustration of our up and down form, but after calming down from Sat. nights loss it is clear that what the team needs right now is some stability and time, not more changes.

 

[antonius]

I really hope those of you going over the top about this team watch NSW Cup closely, because I really don't understand the issue. Better judges than me who do watch reserves don't think that Aku or Sau or whoever it is you're all screaming about not being selected look terribly more likely than Lulia or Vuna. All these guys are young and promising and some inconsistency shouldn't surprise. Vuna has had some outstanding games and some poor ones, Lulia has been very up and down, but a couple of weeks ago everyone was raving about how he handled Hodges and then Folau. If Aku and Sau still get shown up defensively on occasions in reserves do you really think they're certainies to come in and play like seasoned campaigners in week-to-week NRL? I wouldn't have a clue who are going to be the best of the bunch in the long-run. Maybe it will indeed be Aku and Sau, but I just don't see it as a big selection issue all of a sudden. In fact for the expediency of getting a badly needed win on the board, I think chopping and changing when we're dealing with inexperienced players is the worst possible approach. I'd much prefer to see Aku given his first shot in a more stable week, when the team's hopefully got some confidence back, Gids is at fullback, and our leaders are back in the forwards.

As far as the pack goes, who are the truly incredible options being overlooked? I like the little I saw of Taufua last year and White goes OK. Sarge is leaving anyway. Sure Ciraldo hasn't been a standout, Houston's been inconsistent. Wicks has been disappointing but might yet turn his form around. Basically the team looks weak because the players who would really make a difference: Bedsy, Gids, Cross, Simmo aren't available. Shuffling around the up-and-comers and the space-fillers is hardly a big deal. If anything it could further disrupt an already disrupted side.

Imho the hysteria in this thread is based on frustration over the last two weeks performances, and has little logic behind it. Looked at objectively, the whole team lacked focus in defence against the Tiges. This happens to all teams from time to time in a tough NRL season and it's no surprise it happened to a young team backing up from that intense game against the Storm. As for the Warriors game, one of the main reason we lost is that a couple of our usually reliable and very good young players--Dureau especially and to a lesser degree Patto had off days; and a couple of our inconsistent young guys (Vuna, Lulia) weren't at their best either. To be a truly competitive team this year we need our stars to come through Origin healthy, and the younger guys to gradually improve their consistency. If this happens I've no doubt we'll really kick on in the latter part of the season. And issues like whether Ciraldo or Lulia get picked over another rookie or fringe first-grader this particular week, or whether Wicks starts or comes off the bench, is imho a whole lot of fluster over nothing.

Good post. I'll only say that IMO Matt White has to be a better option than Wicks, at least White will put in while he's on the park. I agree with Mac, I'll go further and say I think Wicks is amongst the worst front row forwards we've ever handed a first grade jumper to. I don't think he should be anyway near first grade on the bench or starting.

 

[aqua_duck]

Lulia has the worst hands I've seen and has stuffed up that many try scoring opportunities it aint funny. Ciraldo has done SFA for us this year and offers nothing in attack or defence.

Surely the likes of Ling, Taufua, Sau, Uate should be given an opportunity

 

[Newie is God's Country]

I give up with this selection process. Smithy is coach and he calls the shots clearly. Aku deserves his shot and frankly if he had been on the end of our line breaks last weekend we would've destroyed the warriors. During our two second half line breaks Lulia twice passes too early for Vuna and the defence just picked Coops off as he was cutting inside for the ball on the western side. Why? Cos Lulia didn't commit them. AKu would've been off and noone would have got within cooee of him.

 

[Pika]

Ling is a way off yet.

I actually think Cirro has been solid, without standing out.

Taufua is certainly pushing, and it will likely be at the expense of Cirro.

Sau could well step in for Lulia.

Uate just needs a few more good performances in PL to push over Vuna.

Vuna had had a few poor games, but you would not have to look to far back this season to find some very solid performances.

 

[[furrycat]]

Despite all their injuries it's still a decent side. Jimmy should have fun marking up on Utai, Roberts can do some decent stuff, Corey Hughes has been in ok form from what I've seen. Their backrow is good, and furrycat won't shutup about this Aaron Groom kid, so he's gotta be something special

:lol: I love Groom. Just got some awesome footwork and ball skills, and solid in defence for such a little fella. Got the speed to stop on a pinpoint and move in the opposite direction

http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=BHho7fh_Acc

When he was playing Prems for Manly. I know its only prems but still, shows some of his skills. And he has the confidence to make it; that youtube clip was posted by him originally on his facebook :lol:

As for the rest of our side... Utai has been in good form since returning, Roberts has been alright and Holdsworth has found some form. Some inexperiencei n the forward pack and it means guys like Koups, Maitua and Ryan need to step up if we're going to have any chance.

Also worried that Youngquest is our fullback...

 

[Matt23]

Both teams lineup's + wet conditions, could be the recipe for an extremely average game of footy #-o

 

[Whats Doing]

The issue that BG is saying which I support is that whilst a 1sr grade player is not playing to form for example Wicks, is there a player in better form in reggies to replace him.

Roopy on a another thread has stated that our reggies have been shocking and based on that there may not be players in better form than some of the first graders who may not be playing well.

Until such time that players in reggies put up their hand, Smithy may not have a choice other than to go with what he has got in 1st grade.

 

[knights_86]

I really hope those of you going over the top about this team watch NSW Cup closely, because I really don't understand the issue. Better judges than me who do watch reserves don't think that Aku or Sau or whoever it is you're all screaming about not being selected look terribly more likely than Lulia or Vuna. All these guys are young and promising and some inconsistency shouldn't surprise. Vuna has had some outstanding games and some poor ones, Lulia has been very up and down, but a couple of weeks ago everyone was raving about how he handled Hodges and then Folau. If Aku and Sau still get shown up defensively on occasions in reserves do you really think they're certainies to come in and play like seasoned campaigners in week-to-week NRL? I wouldn't have a clue who are going to be the best of the bunch in the long-run. Maybe it will indeed be Aku and Sau, but I just don't see it as a big selection issue all of a sudden. In fact for the expediency of getting a badly needed win on the board, I think chopping and changing when we're dealing with inexperienced players is the worst possible approach. I'd much prefer to see Aku given his first shot in a more stable week, when the team's hopefully got some confidence back, Gids is at fullback, and our leaders are back in the forwards.

As far as the pack goes, who are the truly incredible options being overlooked? I like the little I saw of Taufua last year and White goes OK. Sarge is leaving anyway. Sure Ciraldo hasn't been a standout, Houston's been inconsistent. Wicks has been disappointing but might yet turn his form around. Basically the team looks weak because the players who would really make a difference: Bedsy, Gids, Cross, Simmo aren't available. Shuffling around the up-and-comers and the space-fillers is hardly a big deal. If anything it could further disrupt an already disrupted side.

Imho the hysteria in this thread is based on frustration over the last two weeks performances, and has little logic behind it. Looked at objectively, the whole team lacked focus in defence against the Tiges. This happens to all teams from time to time in a tough NRL season and it's no surprise it happened to a young team backing up from that intense game against the Storm. As for the Warriors game, one of the main reason we lost is that a couple of our usually reliable and very good young players--Dureau especially and to a lesser degree Patto had off days; and a couple of our inconsistent young guys (Vuna, Lulia) weren't at their best either. To be a truly competitive team this year we need our stars to come through Origin healthy, and the younger guys to gradually improve their consistency. If this happens I've no doubt we'll really kick on in the latter part of the season. And issues like whether Ciraldo or Lulia get picked over another rookie or fringe first-grader this particular week, or whether Wicks starts or comes off the bench, is imho a whole lot of fluster over nothing.

as much as i like to bitch about the team too, bg is probably right. it would probably be best if aku, sau etc were introduced when the team was more stable. but i still don't think wicks deserves a starting spot, and i think it wouldnt disrupt the team too much if tafua was given a run on the bench instead of ciraldo.

 

[roopy]

Roopy on a another thread has stated that our reggies have been shocking and based on that there may not be players in better form than some of the first graders who may not be playing well.

I think it's fair to say we shouldn't judge guys like White and Walsh because no one is putting together a decent team or giving them half a plan to play with.

I think our reggies are just a different bunch of guys thrown together every week with the only game plan of doing what Walshy says, and even Walshy hates it.

I'm actually beginning to think it is the worst thing we can do for some of our young guys to have them getting flogged with no plan every week.

 

[BG]

Nice BG.

Thx. Just thought the thread needed some sense of proportion.

I predict one change to that side.

Patto soon to be unleased as a kicker in general play; look out for a late change this week... don't tell me you've officially given up auditioning for the Sgt Schultz role in Hogan's Heroes the Movie? :crazy:

 

[Pika]

Not quite mate.

The late change call is obscure enough to keep my Sgt Schultz role in place.

 

[BG]

The late change call is obscure

Well, we can rule out an injury to Mad Dog then :roll:

My guess, one of:

-- Bailey to start at 5/8. Dureau off bench to give Hilder a breather at hooker and then go to half-back.

-- Sau for Lulia. (Or Aku for Vuna... less likely.)

 

[Rutager]

Leano and Holdsworth to have a drop the ball competition.

If we can get withing 20 of the Knights I will be amazed.

 

[BG]

Now I'm guessing that it might just be Tolar declared unfit again. Pika, stop teasing us, that hardly counts as "obscure". Although if Taufua is the shadow it does explain why you couldn't contain yourself. Anyway, if it happens hope he lives up to your off-season wraps and kills it.

 

[BG]

-- Sau for Lulia.

Smithy sure loves to screen a rookie.

Will be interesting to see how he goes.

 

[Misanthrope]

Lulia injured? Or just finally being dropped for being decidedly average?

 

[Apey]

To me, we have been average. Again this is only opinion, but we are lacking attacking structure and I felt the same last week. It just seems to be the same plays over and over again, one man runs into the defence rather than spreading the ball wide or whatever. We seem flat.

Would just be nice to see some variation. Sau is playing well, as is Mullen and Hilder.. we have been pretty lucky with some calls though.

We are missing Gidley more than ever though in attack. It just seems so bland without him, although Mullen is making a good effort with some nice passes and kicks (some good, some bad)

 

[cram]

Not sure, I think however the latter is probably the reason....you wathcing or listening Bushy?

 

[cram]

To me, we have been average. Again this is only opinion, but we are lacking attacking structure and I felt the same last week. It just seems to be the same plays over and over again, one man runs into the defence rather than spreading the ball wide or whatever. We seem flat.

Would just be nice to see some variation. Sau is playing well, as is Mullen and Hilder.. we have been pretty lucky with some calls though.

We are missing Gidley more than ever though in attack. It just seems so bland without him, although Mullen is making a good effort with some nice passes and kicks (some good, some bad)

Thanfully we have some calls going our way for a change, i am not watching.....or listening....i am back to my frustrated side and its better for my health to just monitor scores every now and again....:crazy: