~knights~
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Rabbitohs v Knights
VENUE & TIME: Bluetongue Stadium, Sunday - 14:00 AEST
COVERAGE: Fox Sports, ABC Radio (Newcastle)
LAST TIME: Knights 24 - Rabbitohs 18 at EnergyAustralia Stadium, round 20, 2006
WALKING WOUNDED
Rabbitohs fans were in shock when they learned news of David Kidwell's season-ending knee injury, suffered whilst playing touch footy in the backyard with his daughter. There is a chance he could play in the finals if the Bunnies make it that far, but it's not looking good. Winger Paul Mellor is out for up to a month with a back injury and has been replaced by Yilleen Buddy Gordon.
Knights legend Andrew Johns announced his retirement during the week after suffering a knock to his troublesome neck at training. Jarrod Mullen moves into the number seven position, while big Daniel Abraham will play pivot. Prop Mitchell Sargent should be back next week from an ankle injury suffered in round three.
FORM
The Rabbitohs missed 36 tackles and made 14 errors on their way to a 24-point spanking at the hands of the Bulldogs last week. The loss was a major reality check to a club that had been receiving plenty of positive press coverage in the lead up to match. They still hold a handy 3-1 win record so far.
Life without Andrew Johns begins here for the Knights and they've already shown they can do it without him this year. Last week against the Storm they played well in patches, but came up with too many handling errors (15) to win a game against such quality opposition. It was a marked improvement on their efforts against Canberra a week earlier, although they should have capitalized better on an exorbitant penalty count in their favour in the first half.
WHO'S HOT
Danny Buderus slotted back into the Knights' hooking role with ease last Saturday night after finishing a six-match suspension which began last September. Buderus controlled the rucks brilliantly, set up a try and topped the tackle count for his side to claim maximum Dally M points in a losing outfit. He is now the club's number one man following Joeys retirement.
WHO'S NOT
Rabbitohs winger Paul Mellor had a shocker in defence against the Bulldogs last week, allowing opposite Trent Cutler to sneak two tries past him in the first half. The second of those was a blatant defensive error that enabled Cutler to score with little room to move. For Mellor's troubles he left the field with a back injury after that and could miss up to a month as a result.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Roy Asotasi v Josh Perry
Joe Williams v Jarrod Mullen
Dean Widders v Steve Simpson
LIKE TO SEE
The Rabbitohs pick themselves off the canvas after the big loss last week. They were always going to experience a fall sooner or later, but we won't truly know how good they are until we see them on the bounce back. Sunday is a massive test for the club.
WOULDN'T LIKE TO SEE
The retirement of Johns have a negative effect on the Knights. This team could go in either direction now that is officially known that the 'messiah' has gone. The signs have been good so far this season that they have will be able to cope.
WE THINK
New Knights coach Brian Smith has made it his priority to plan for life without Andrew Johns and so far this season things look position in that regard with the Knights winning both of their Joey-less encounters. Expect Smith to keep it simple, but effective in this one and for Buderus to do much of the organising. The crushed Rabbitohs may well need another week to fully recover from the physical nature of their loss to the Dogs. Knights by 10.
Rabbitohs v Knights
VENUE & TIME: Bluetongue Stadium, Sunday - 14:00 AEST
COVERAGE: Fox Sports, ABC Radio (Newcastle)
LAST TIME: Knights 24 - Rabbitohs 18 at EnergyAustralia Stadium, round 20, 2006
WALKING WOUNDED
Rabbitohs fans were in shock when they learned news of David Kidwell's season-ending knee injury, suffered whilst playing touch footy in the backyard with his daughter. There is a chance he could play in the finals if the Bunnies make it that far, but it's not looking good. Winger Paul Mellor is out for up to a month with a back injury and has been replaced by Yilleen Buddy Gordon.
Knights legend Andrew Johns announced his retirement during the week after suffering a knock to his troublesome neck at training. Jarrod Mullen moves into the number seven position, while big Daniel Abraham will play pivot. Prop Mitchell Sargent should be back next week from an ankle injury suffered in round three.
FORM
The Rabbitohs missed 36 tackles and made 14 errors on their way to a 24-point spanking at the hands of the Bulldogs last week. The loss was a major reality check to a club that had been receiving plenty of positive press coverage in the lead up to match. They still hold a handy 3-1 win record so far.
Life without Andrew Johns begins here for the Knights and they've already shown they can do it without him this year. Last week against the Storm they played well in patches, but came up with too many handling errors (15) to win a game against such quality opposition. It was a marked improvement on their efforts against Canberra a week earlier, although they should have capitalized better on an exorbitant penalty count in their favour in the first half.
WHO'S HOT
Danny Buderus slotted back into the Knights' hooking role with ease last Saturday night after finishing a six-match suspension which began last September. Buderus controlled the rucks brilliantly, set up a try and topped the tackle count for his side to claim maximum Dally M points in a losing outfit. He is now the club's number one man following Joeys retirement.
WHO'S NOT
Rabbitohs winger Paul Mellor had a shocker in defence against the Bulldogs last week, allowing opposite Trent Cutler to sneak two tries past him in the first half. The second of those was a blatant defensive error that enabled Cutler to score with little room to move. For Mellor's troubles he left the field with a back injury after that and could miss up to a month as a result.
KEY MATCH-UPS
Roy Asotasi v Josh Perry
Joe Williams v Jarrod Mullen
Dean Widders v Steve Simpson
LIKE TO SEE
The Rabbitohs pick themselves off the canvas after the big loss last week. They were always going to experience a fall sooner or later, but we won't truly know how good they are until we see them on the bounce back. Sunday is a massive test for the club.
WOULDN'T LIKE TO SEE
The retirement of Johns have a negative effect on the Knights. This team could go in either direction now that is officially known that the 'messiah' has gone. The signs have been good so far this season that they have will be able to cope.
WE THINK
New Knights coach Brian Smith has made it his priority to plan for life without Andrew Johns and so far this season things look position in that regard with the Knights winning both of their Joey-less encounters. Expect Smith to keep it simple, but effective in this one and for Buderus to do much of the organising. The crushed Rabbitohs may well need another week to fully recover from the physical nature of their loss to the Dogs. Knights by 10.
