... we know where he'd work.
Nice wraps to Brian from Bedsy though.
Knights end 10-year hoodoo
By Steve Mascord
March 23, 2007 12:00
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NEWCASTLE captain Steve Simpson last night revealed how new coach Brian Smith destroyed one of the most enduring hoodoos in rugby league.
The Knights' 16-12 victory over St George Illawarra at OKI Jubilee Stadium was the first time since 2001 the Novocastrians have managed to win without Andrew Johns and Danny Buderus in their starting team and came just five days after they downed the Bulldogs despite the absence of one and the other being carried off in the fourth minute.
Fullback Kurt Gidley asked never to be reminded of the hoodoo again, Newcastle scoring four tries to two against a gallant Dragons line-up including two rookies, four players on their second first grade appearance and one on his third.
Second-rower Simpson told The Saturday Daily Telegraph: "It's been a bit of a monkey on our back for a while.
"When Joey and Bedsy are there, they're such great players they see a lot of things in front of them.
"But we've been putting a few different things in place. Brian's been great.
'Every player takes a bit more responsibility about getting us to the right part of the field and (we're) not just relying on our halves. It's been great to take the pressure off them.
"Everyone's attitude's changed a bit, too."
St George Illawarra lost centre Matt Cooper (calf) and reserve forward Adam Peek (shoulder) on match day, hooker Simon Woolford (ankle) after three minutes and centre Wes Naiqama to the sin bin just short of halftime.
Yet with 16 minutes to go, they led 12-8. Their first try (16 minutes) was scored by Chase Stanley, a 17-year-old schoolboy, and their second (53rd min) by centre Keith Lulia, 19, who was making only his second first grade appearance.
But some sustained possession deep in enemy territory bore fruit for Newcastle.
One line dropout awarded against the joint venture side did not impress its co-captain, Ben Hornby.
"It wasn't the try, it was the second set they got," he said.
"I thought Kurt Gidley was in front of the kicker and inside the 10. That was my opinion."
The match-clinching tries came in relatively quick succession to Newcastle centres Brad Tighe and George Carmont. Fullback Gidley could not land a goal, leaving it 12-12 until the 72nd minute.
On a night where St George Illawarra's rookies shone, second-game Knight James McManus got one try and debutant Cory Patterson threw the last pass for another.
High tackles were once more an issue.
Knights replacement Dan Tolar was booked for a hit on Jason Ryles which left the Dragons co-captain groggy and in need of a rest. St George Illawarra prop Corey Payne was penalised for two high shots and lock Ben Creagh even threw a punch in possession, one metre out, when he felt he had been unfairly struck.
When Naiqama came from an offside position to tackle Adam MacDougall in the 38th minute as he was heading to the tryline, the Fijian international was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul.
The Knights spun the ball to the western touchline where rookie James McManus notched a Ward-approved try to give Brian Smith's side an 8-6 halftime lead.Woolford is out for at least a month.
Both coaches agreed it was a less than perfect outing for their respective sides.
"I just said to Browny on the stairs, I hope we improve as much as I know they will," said Michael Hagan. "We could be sitting here with no points at all. To have four points and not have played as well as we can yet is comforting. We need to improve."
NEWCASTLE 16 (C Newton, J McManus, B Tighe, G Carmont tries) ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 12 (C Stanley, K Lulia tries; W Naiqama 2 goals) at OKI Jubilee Stadium. Referee: S Clark. Crowd: 12,326.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21437461-5001023,00.html
Nice wraps to Brian from Bedsy though.
Knights end 10-year hoodoo
By Steve Mascord
March 23, 2007 12:00
Article from: Font size: + -
Send this article: Print Email
NEWCASTLE captain Steve Simpson last night revealed how new coach Brian Smith destroyed one of the most enduring hoodoos in rugby league.
The Knights' 16-12 victory over St George Illawarra at OKI Jubilee Stadium was the first time since 2001 the Novocastrians have managed to win without Andrew Johns and Danny Buderus in their starting team and came just five days after they downed the Bulldogs despite the absence of one and the other being carried off in the fourth minute.
Fullback Kurt Gidley asked never to be reminded of the hoodoo again, Newcastle scoring four tries to two against a gallant Dragons line-up including two rookies, four players on their second first grade appearance and one on his third.
Second-rower Simpson told The Saturday Daily Telegraph: "It's been a bit of a monkey on our back for a while.
"When Joey and Bedsy are there, they're such great players they see a lot of things in front of them.
"But we've been putting a few different things in place. Brian's been great.
'Every player takes a bit more responsibility about getting us to the right part of the field and (we're) not just relying on our halves. It's been great to take the pressure off them.
"Everyone's attitude's changed a bit, too."
St George Illawarra lost centre Matt Cooper (calf) and reserve forward Adam Peek (shoulder) on match day, hooker Simon Woolford (ankle) after three minutes and centre Wes Naiqama to the sin bin just short of halftime.
Yet with 16 minutes to go, they led 12-8. Their first try (16 minutes) was scored by Chase Stanley, a 17-year-old schoolboy, and their second (53rd min) by centre Keith Lulia, 19, who was making only his second first grade appearance.
But some sustained possession deep in enemy territory bore fruit for Newcastle.
One line dropout awarded against the joint venture side did not impress its co-captain, Ben Hornby.
"It wasn't the try, it was the second set they got," he said.
"I thought Kurt Gidley was in front of the kicker and inside the 10. That was my opinion."
The match-clinching tries came in relatively quick succession to Newcastle centres Brad Tighe and George Carmont. Fullback Gidley could not land a goal, leaving it 12-12 until the 72nd minute.
On a night where St George Illawarra's rookies shone, second-game Knight James McManus got one try and debutant Cory Patterson threw the last pass for another.
High tackles were once more an issue.
Knights replacement Dan Tolar was booked for a hit on Jason Ryles which left the Dragons co-captain groggy and in need of a rest. St George Illawarra prop Corey Payne was penalised for two high shots and lock Ben Creagh even threw a punch in possession, one metre out, when he felt he had been unfairly struck.
When Naiqama came from an offside position to tackle Adam MacDougall in the 38th minute as he was heading to the tryline, the Fijian international was sent to the sin bin for a professional foul.
The Knights spun the ball to the western touchline where rookie James McManus notched a Ward-approved try to give Brian Smith's side an 8-6 halftime lead.Woolford is out for at least a month.
Both coaches agreed it was a less than perfect outing for their respective sides.
"I just said to Browny on the stairs, I hope we improve as much as I know they will," said Michael Hagan. "We could be sitting here with no points at all. To have four points and not have played as well as we can yet is comforting. We need to improve."
NEWCASTLE 16 (C Newton, J McManus, B Tighe, G Carmont tries) ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA 12 (C Stanley, K Lulia tries; W Naiqama 2 goals) at OKI Jubilee Stadium. Referee: S Clark. Crowd: 12,326.
http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,21437461-5001023,00.html
