Match Discussion: Finals Week 1 vs Parramatta @ Browne Park

[Alex28]

Better luck next year
We need to start the transition away from Pearce.
KP needs to work on good positioning and defence instead of getting stupid ink

If Pearce gets an offer which includes next year, we should let him go. We BADLY need a half that can run. Move Ponga into the halves, train Hodgson for the off-season to start at fullback.

 

[Knight Tales]

If Pearce gets an offer which includes next year, we should let him go. We BADLY need a half that can run. Move Ponga into the halves, train Hodgson for the off-season to start at fullback.

With the modern ruck the way it is going Hodgson should absolutely be a weapon for us. Much like Laurie at the Tigers.

 

[slotmachine]

Plus side, that was a very composed game by Clifford and he controlled the game well when he was allowed to

 

[Zoidberg]

I can’t understand why we look so lost when Pearce doesn’t play. He added nothing today and we were really good. Give us a halfback who has a positive impact and we win.

 

[PhilGould]

We aren't in the game without Ponga's brilliance, but when both packs were out on their feet and the game was there for the taking he went missing.

 

[Loose Cannon]

If Pearce gets an offer which includes next year, we should let him go. We BADLY need a half that can run. Move Ponga into the halves, train Hodgson for the off-season to start at fullback.

Agree.
Clifford and Ponga in the halves needs to happen next year.

 

[perverse]

Well we just saw why the chooks packed Mitch's bags for someone who can win the big games.

Mitch definitely shat the bed, but these numbers combined with the domination in contact from Parra is what won them the game. 55/45 possession, field position share would be even worse than that too. The first half was particularly bad, and Parra got the points they deserved at the end of that half as a result.

 

[Bartwah]

Thanks for the season gents. Always a pleasure reading and contributing to the bipolar knights chats. See you again next year

 

[Zoidberg]

Just gonna add, it really sucks to lose our final chance like that. Much rather cop the sin bin (or the correct call of a knock on).

 

[perverse]

We aren't in the game without Ponga's brilliance, but when both packs were out on their feet and the game was there for the taking he went missing.

It's his willingness to tackle (or lackthereof) that pisses me off the most. As you said, we're not in the game without him - but there's elements to his game that are just extremely sub par and you can't just let them slide at his price point.

 

[Johns Magic]

Good on the Eels, they fronted up.

We coulda woulda shoulda been in a position to win that. We played tough, much prouder getting eliminated this year than last year. Just some obvious weak areas. Hopefully we are better next year.

 

[perverse]

To add to my point above as well - we actually took almost every opportunity we got for points today - we just spent so little time in their half due to Parra's work in the middle. I think our outside backs got showed up a bit early in sets, and our forwards weren't as assertive as they had to be. We got bullied. Barney was huge in the second half in bringing us back into the game in the middle. Was all over everything.

 

[slotmachine]

J saf was balls just quietly.
Anyone who wants to pension off klem needs their head read.

 

[aqua_duck]

To add to my point above as well - we actually took almost every opportunity we got for points today - we just spent so little time in their half due to Parra's work in the middle. I think our outside backs got showed up a bit early in sets, and our forwards weren't as assertive as they had to be. We got bullied. Barney was huge in the second half in bringing us back into the game in the middle. Was all over everything.

I thought Hunt was quite good in yardage and had a few offloads too, I think that's an area where Gags will really come in handy and I'd like to see Tuala just put on 4 or 5kg in the off season and play at around that 100kg mark.
I think one bit issue is how one out we play, it just allows opposition teams to throw the kitchen sink at the ball carrier defensively.

 

[aqua_duck]

J saf was balls just quietly.
Anyone who wants to pension off klem needs their head read.

Yep I thought Klem was good considering he would've been significantly hampered by that rib injury, just wish we'd stop giving the ball for settlers when in good field position

 

[Tom155]

Watson's last game for us today

 

[Walk On Home Boy]

Watson's last game for us today

Personally don't think he's been effective for quite some time tbh

 

[perverse]

I thought Hunt was quite good in yardage and had a few offloads too, I think that's an area where Gags will really come in handy and I'd like to see Tuala just put on 4 or 5kg in the off season and play at around that 100kg mark.
I think one bit issue is how one out we play, it just allows opposition teams to throw the kitchen sink at the ball carrier defensively.

Hunt was ok, yeah. Held his gloves up in tough conditions. Tuala was great in scoring, but his size is hard to ignore in a big match like that coming out of yardage.

 

[Zoidberg]

Watson's last game for us today

For a few years at least.

It was good to have a pretty much full strength side but I doubt Klem and Dsaf were at 100%.
So many HIAs too. Didn’t help. Not sure if King failed his but I don’t remember him returning in the 2nd half?

 

[perverse]

Watson's last game for us today

Personally don't think he's been effective for quite some time tbh

Actually agree here, he's been pretty quiet since Pearce and Ponga got back for the most part.