Knights 2021/22 Off-Season

[Jono078]

the club won’t get into a war over KP’s deal. It will be be either he wants to be here or we will see you later. Andre will have a big say. He has given every indication KP is going nowhere. As good as that is for us I often wonder if it is actually counterproductive to KP’s career ever reaching where it needs to go. Not saying he can’t do that here but it appears the comfort zone of the money we are giving him is the problem we may have made for ourselves.

I actually wasn't even thinking of KP when I wrote what I did. I just meant the general market of players available.

But personally I think KP has been paid very well and we're yet to bear the fruits of that investment. So I wouldn't want to get into a bidding war to keep him either.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Can’t have both Clune and Clifford together in the halves, both too similar of players.
They can kick the ball in the corners and play field position but they aren’t a threat with ball in hand.

Clifford has a great running game. Scored a tonne of tries in Qcup by running hard at the line

They are very different players

 

[Woosh]

Clifford has a great running game. Scored a tonne of tries in Qcup by running hard at the line

They are very different players

Why are you judging him on QLD cup games when he has has played twice as many first grade games?
He hasn’t shown much of a running game in first grade.
If anything you could argue Clune has a more threatening running game.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Why are you judging him on QLD cup games when he has has played twice as many first grade games?
He hasn’t shown much of a running game in first grade.
If anything you could argue Clune has a more threatening running game.

Because that's where he stood out for me before he came to Newcastle. His running was superb. It's clearly been a coaching tactic for him to kick more and run less lately but it's certainly there

Clune has averaged 11m per game, interesting that you summise from that that hes a bigger threat there but ok

 

[Woosh]

Because that's where he stood out for me before he came to Newcastle. His running was superb. It's clearly been a coaching tactic for him to kick more and run less lately but it's certainly there

Clune has averaged 11m per game, interesting that you summise from that that hes a bigger threat there but ok

The fact you needed to bring up his games in QLD cup to “showcase” his strong running game says it all.
Clifford has played over 50 first grades not exactly a rookie is he?
Yet to see anything in his running game to suggest partnering with someone like Clune is going to work.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

The fact you needed to bring up his games in QLD cup to “showcase” his strong running game says it all.
Clifford has played over 50 first grades not exactly a rookie is he?
Yet to see anything in his running game to suggest partnering with someone like Clune is going to work.

I said it stood out, so its there

I cant remember seeing too many of his Nth Qld games so im not going to comment and guess like youre doing with Clune.

His games for Newcastle have had him focusing on his long and short kicking which weve lacked. He has still averaged 80m per game which is on par with guys like Wighton and Dylan Brown. Also far more than Clunes 11m but hey, lets not worry about facts

 

[Woosh]

I said it stood out, so its there

I cant remember seeing too many of his Nth Qld games so im not going to comment and guess like youre doing with Clune.

Exactly. You had to bring up his running game from QLD Cup because his running game in the top grade has been easily contained.
Sure you can blame game plans etc but you know even some glimpses has been few and far between.

I like what Clifford brings to the table but partnering him with someone like Clune is not going trouble too many defensive lines.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Averaged the same running metres as some of the games well known running 5/8s but ok, hes the same as a guy whos played a half as many games with 1/8th the run metres......

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Also for reference

0:55 and 1:22 marks

https://www.cowboys.com.au/news/2020/10/16/2020-highlights-jake-clifford/

 

[Woosh]

Averaged the same running metres as some of the games well known running 5/8s but ok, hes the same as a guy whos played a half as many games with 1/8th the run metres......

Now you are moving the goal posts.
You pick Wighton and Brown to argue your point, let’s be fair they both weren’t very good this year.
When I think of dangerous running 5/8ths I think of Walker and Munster.
You also using running meters as a measure of how dangerous they are with ball in hand.
Running a lot of meters doesn’t mean you’re dangerous with ball in hand.
Wouldn’t tackle breaks be a better gauge?

Walker (25 Games) - 62 Tackle Breaks
Munster (20 Games) - 60 Tackle Breaks
Clifford ( 20 Games) - 24 Tackle Breaks

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Pretty sure you don't even know what the point is champ. I'm not saying he's as dangerous as the top 5/8s of the comp, I'm refuting your claim he's "just the same as Clune"

Stick to dribbling about Gagai

 

[Woosh]

Pretty sure you don't even know what the point is champ. I'm not saying he's as dangerous as the top 5/8s of the comp, I'm refuting your claim he's "just the same as Clune"

What are you even arguing about?
You got your panties in knot when I wrote Clifford and Clune won’t work as their games are too same same.
Their strengths are to kick into the corners and play field position.
You need that running threat from one of your halves and I don’t think either have it.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

Would we seriously look at any of these halves if Pearce wasn't going?
I reckon we try and make something of what we have and hold out and see if someone we would fight for comes on the market.

 

[Yosh]

The only weakness I have personally seen in CLifford's game is his decision making with kicks. His technique is superb.

I think he is a great defender for a half, puts on excellent kick pressure and I thought his running game was pretty good for us this year.

 

[Tony Morris]

How long did Clifford get? 2 years being 22 his last year?

 

[Jono078]

I have no issues with Clifford's running game.

He's no Walker or Munster but he's there or thereabout with the likes of a Cleary or Moses I think.

When it's required he usually makes the most of his runs.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

What are you even arguing about?
You got your panties in knot when I wrote Clifford and Clune won’t work as their games are too same same.
Their strengths are to kick into the corners and play field position.
You need that running threat from one of your halves and I don’t think either have it.

Dig up stupid

 

[Woosh]

I have no issues with Clifford's running game.

He's no Walker or Munster but he's there or thereabout with the likes of a Cleary or Moses I think.

Here is your issue.
You’re comparing Clifford to your more traditional halfbacks, your game managers in Clearly and to a lesser extent Moses.
That’s fair enough BUT that makes Clune the running 5/8th.
I’m sure the 15 other teams are shitting their pants at the thought of Clune running at them.

 

[Jono078]

Hayden Knowles on the Knights podcast today;

Hayden Knowles joins the KNIGHTS // HQ Podcast

Renowned Physical Performance Manager Hayden Knowles makes his KNIGHTS // HQ debut, detailing the staffing changes within the Football Department and detailing why he left the premiership winning Panthers to join the Knights. Brought to you by Maxwell Recruitment & Training.

www.newcastleknights.com.au

 

[Jono078]

What is going on with our development squads? I miss the days when we were right up there with the likes of the Panthers and Dragons.

Not one Knights player named as an emerging blue..

Future Blues, Sky Blues join forces for camp

The next generation of Brydens Lawyers NSW Blues stars will team up with the Harvey Norman NSW Sky Blues and Harvey Norman NSW Women’s Under 19s State of Origin team for a training camp at the NSWRL Centre of Excellence on Sunday 12 December.

www.nswrl.com.au