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Jersey Flegg Grandfinal: Newcastle vs. Penrith

girvie

girvie

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Fixtures:
Sunday, October 1:
2:00pm – Newcastle Knights v Penrith Panthers at Telstra Stadium


Newcastle
  1. Sam Wooden
  2. Akuila Uate
  3. Stephen Gordon
  4. Callan Richardson
  5. Jonathon Wright
  6. Scott Dureau
  7. Luke Walsh
  8. Tim Natusch
  9. Terence Seu Seu
  10. Kade Snowden
  11. Jacob Ling
  12. Cory Paterson
  13. Jon Tupou
INTERCHANGE

14. Hanan Laban
15. Larry Taufua
16. Simon Allen
17. Matthew Cooper
18. Hayden Jeans

Coach: Rip Taylor


Penrith

1. Matthew Forwood
2. Junior Ahio
3. Michael Jennings
4. Liam Campbell
5. Geoff Daniela
6. Jarrod Sammut
7. Nathan Pill
8. Brad McMillan
9. Jaye Martleitner (c)
10. Tim Grant
11. Corey Vlaciky
12. Lawrence Enosi
13. James Nightingale

14. Blake Blackburn
15. Ashley Hazelton
16. Michael Leeds
17. Nathan Russell
18. Wiremu Weepu
19. Mitchell Smith
 
R

roopy

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27,980
Knights;

Sam Wooden - fullback - Newcastle Western suburbs junior who has spent 4 seasons playing for Knights juniors and is in his last year of Flegg. This year he is the top tryscorer for Flegg with 21 tries and has had 3 games of PL. He is a fantastic broken field runner. In our premiership winning Ball side 2 years ago.

Aku Uate - winger - grew up in Fiji till the age of 15. Came to aus to pursue athletics and came 3rd in Aus 100m u16 title. Joined the Knights early last season with practically no League experience - but picked for Aus schoolboys by the end of the season - despite only scoring one try in SG Ball for the Knights. This season he has scored around 20 tries and spent the back end of scoring at better than a try a game in PL. He has been described by Joey Johns as the 'New Tuquiri'. He is big, and possibly the fastest guy in RL at present. He loves to return the ball - but only idiots kick to him. Represented Fiji A in the last off season, and NSW u19s this season.

Stephen Gordon - centre or winger - our top tryscorer in Flegg last year but has spent a fair bit of this season in PL. A local junior who has been with the Knights for four years and was in our premiership winning Ball side two seasons ago.

Callan Richardson - centre - captain of our Ball side this season and top try scorer in that grade. captain of NSW u17s last season. 4th year at the knights and has scored at a try a game for all four seasons. Blindingly fast guy with great acceleration. a bit injury prone.

Jonathon Wright - wing or centre - first year at the Knights after playing for the Central Coast Rip for a few seasons. He is a giant winger (6'6" tall and solid). He loves to do hit ups and he is the intercept king.

Scott Dureau - 5/8 or halfback - 4th year at the Knights - very clever playmaker who partnered Jarod Mullen in our SG Ball winning side two years ago. Has played some PL this year.

Luke Walsh - halfback - 3rd year at the Knights - NSW u19 halfback this year - a very clever kid who was regular halfback in PL till injured about 6 weeks ago. He has been back from injury for two games and is hitting his straps.

Kade Snowden - prop - 5th year at the Knights - latest member of a famous Newcastle League family (father and uncle both played in Newcastle rep sides). Captain of our SG Ball winning side 2 years ago. MOTM for NSW u17 v Qld two years ago. MOTM in SG Ball grandfinal. MOTM for Aus schoolboys v GB twice (once in a losing side). Played firstgrade last season and PL this season. The most feared forward in Flegg and a proven big game performer.

Terrence Seu Seu - hooker - 4th year at the Knights - was fullback for our Ball winning side - a scrappy guy who battles all game and occasionally shows his fullback pace running out of dummy half.

Tim Natusch - prop - 2nd year at the Knights - from Wellington in NZ and was a junior rep for NZ. A prop who loves to hurt people. Nice guy when you talk to him - but just mean on the field.

Cory Paterson - second row - 3rd year at Knights - originally from WA - has represented Aus schoolboys and NSW u19s this year. Played half this season in PL and has scored tries at near a try a game at that level. Could play Flegg next season - but more likely to play firstgrade. A 6'6" 106kg second rower who loves to run with the centres and score tries.

Jacob Ling - second row - 4th year at the Knights - has played for NSW at u17 and u19 level as well as Aus schoolboys. A no nonsence tackling machine and tuck the ball under the arm and hit the line forward. Similar build to Mark O'Meley and plays in the same style.

Jon Tupou - lock - 3rd year at the Knights - NSW u19s player this year - younger brother of Roosters firstgrader Anthony and Saints PL player William - member of our Ball winning side - small but vey mobile and hardworking forward.

Hanan Laban - prop - 2nd year at the Knights - was considered the best young prop in NZ when signed by the Knights two years ago. A NZ junior rep.

Larry Tuafua - second row or prop - 3rd year at the Knights - a giant forward but a bit slow. He will do some serious damage off the bench though.

Simon Allen - 5/8 or lock - a very impressive younger guy who has been outstanding filling in in the halves this season

Matt Cooper - wing/centre/fullback - has played for Aus schoolboys and was in NSW u19s this year - but can't crack a starting spot for the Knights. A big and powerful back who scores a lot of tries by breaking multiple tackles.

Hayden Jeans - prop - young prop who loves to defend - a brick with eyes.
 
girvie

girvie

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Thanks for that right up Roopy.

Can someone do one for the Penrith players?
 
Panther_Daz

Panther_Daz

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Penriths backline is very exciting and has plenty of pace,skill and flair. As someone mentioned, best in the comp. That is Penriths strength. Jennings and Sammut are two players to watch.

Newcastle on the other hand possess a monster pack who will try and bash the Penrith forwards.However, Penriths forwards wont take a backward step, a very talented and mobile pack. Key forwards include Grant and Vlaciky.
 
B

Big Mick

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I'll do a profile of Penrith over the next day or two. I'm just celebrating my graduation at the moment.
 
R

roopy

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It will be in the Knights favour to have a first grade ref.
Flegg refs apply a much stronger interpretation of many of the rules to 'protect' younger players.
The big and mean Knights pack have been on the back end of huge penalty counts all season as they demolish opposition packs. In most cases, the penalties they give away would be seen as good, solid tackles in the seniors.
 
B

Big Mick

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you wont "dominate" Penrith.

We arn't a "Small" pack. We've got a great rotational and under-rated prop system. I would have thought you would have seen that on Sunday.
 
R

roopy

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Big Mick © said:
you wont "dominate" Penrith.

We arn't a "Small" pack. We've got a great rotational and under-rated prop system. I would have thought you would have seen that on Sunday.
Click to expand...

I'm keen to see how it plays out.

There is a chance we are all underestimating elements of both sides.

The forward packs could well cancel each other out - but there is nothing wrong with the Knights halves and backline either - so the backs could be a lot closer than people think.

The only thing I have to go on is when a strong Penrith side demolished the weakest team we put on the field all year - so really - I don't know how the sides will match up.

At the moment I'm thinking the Knights have more players who are probably at the end of their footy career - with about half the side too old for Flegg next season - and only a few of those signed for next year. Guys like Larry Tuafua, Tim Natusch, Scott Dureau, Sam Wooden, Steve Gordon and others will be desperate to either impress someone enough to get a run next season, or end their career on a high note.

Not that i know the details of the Penrith kids - but i think there are fewer in that boat for them - so maybe we will see a bit less desperation.
 
B

Big Mick

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26,318
again...you say you were understrength.

So were we.

We didn't have Sammut playing...he got a call up to Premier League. He is worth 10 points a game to us at least. The kid is a freak. We were also without 2-3 forwards and a couple of backs. So it wasn't our strongest team.

We have only one guy out this week and thats Josh Bateman who is unlucky as he has been brilliant this year. Mitchell Smith is back but will probably be dropped off the bench because that backline is probably the best in the Flegg competition imo.

So yeah, i'll admit you were understrength, but don't make out we were full strength when we were not.

I'm looking forward to the grand final and seeing all the Knights "rep players". Penrith also has players with similar credentials although they don't get publicised as much.
 
Panther_Daz

Panther_Daz

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Sometime through the game we might see a change in the Penriths backline if things arent going to plan. It will change to :


6.Sammut
2.Ahio
3.Jennings
5.Daniela
1.Forwood
4.Campbell
7.Pill


With Daniela moving into the centres, he will get more ball and space to work with, which he needs. Sammut at fullback could also prove to be deadly. Campbell and Pill have worked together and very well for alot of the season in the halves whilst Sammut has been in PL. Penrith need to get the ball in the hands of Jennings, Daniela and Sammut as much as possible, as they are our best attacking weapons.
 
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