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Hilder, De Gois work on defensive lapses
BY ROBERT DILLON
05 May, 2010 04:00 AM
THEY were Newcastle's leading defenders last year. Workhorses who did not miss a game and made almost 1800 tackles between them.
But as the Knights strive to stem the flood of points they have been leaking this season, the form of tackling machines Matt Hilder and Isaac De Gois has attracted scrutiny.
According to NRL Stats, De Gois has missed 16 tackles in his past two games: nine in last week's win against Brisbane and seven the week before against Cronulla.
Hilder has missed 20 tackles in his past four games: six against Brisbane, four against Cronulla, four against South Sydney and six against Penrith.
It is out of character for both players, who got through a mountain of toil last season and were tireless for the Knights around the middle of the rucks.
Hilder was Newcastle's top defender in 2009 with 960 tackles in 25 games. De Gois was closest to him with 816 in as many appearances.
In one game, against the Warriors in Auckland, Hilder produced a Herculean 71 tackles and De Gois made 64.
Knights coach Rick Stone admitted yesterday that his most tenacious terriers had been below their best and would be searching for improvement in Sunday's showdown with Gold Coast at EnergyAustralia Stadium.
"Isaac and Matty Hilder probably missed a few more tackles [against Brisbane] than they usually do, and that's something we'll address with the boys today," Stone said.
"Technically there's a couple of little things that both of them need to work on in the short term and we'll probably get that done tomorrow and maybe later in the week.
"Energy-wise, Matty Hilder was probably struggling a little bit because he had a stomach bug and was down on energy for the day.
"Isaac doesn't have too many excuses. He just needs to be a bit more committed and technically sound, and I think we'll get him back on track pretty quick."
De Gois produced his best running game of the season against Brisbane, making 93 metres from 12 darts, but Stone said the 25-year-old would be disappointed with his defensive lapses.
"He sets high standards, Isaac, and we'll have a look at that today and sort a few things out with him," Stone said. "He probably has been a bit untidy and, uncharacteristically, Matty Hilder has been similar.
"They were two of our better defenders last year, and we need to get them back on track as quick as possible."
De Gois, who was Newcastle's player of the year last season and fitted snugly into the role he inherited from Danny Buderus, was confident he would bounce back strongly on Sunday.
"Obviously no one likes to miss tackles, so that's something I've got to work on," De Gois said.
The former Cronulla rake underwent a knee reconstruction last season but denied it had been affecting his performances.
"I'm not thinking about it or anything like that, which is good," he said. "It's coming along all right. It pulls up a bit sore after games, which is normal, but other than that I can't complain."
Hilder has been carrying injuries since the season opener but has still managed to make more tackles, 207, than any Newcastle player.
"It's hindered him a little bit," Stone said.
"He's been taking needles for a fracture to the wrist and he's got a bit of a shoulder problem . . . but we'll reassess him during the week and make sure that if he is going to play, he's 100 per cent fit."
Hilder said he had "a few little niggles" but they "aren't really worrying me in the games too much".
"My wrist's getting better and hopefully this week I'll be able to play without a needle in it," he said.
"My AC's giving me a bit of grief at the moment so I might go and see if I can get a cortisone injection in it when we have the bye or something.
"If it's starting to worry me or affect me that way, I'll put my hand up and ask for a bit of time off . . . for me to be effective, I've got to be close to 100 per cent fit." Newcastle have conceded 200 points in their eight games this year. Only Cronulla (202), North Queensland (218) and Brisbane (235) have worse defensive records.
http://www.theherald.com.au/news/lo...de-gois-work-on-defensive-lapses/1820645.aspx