Match Discussion: Round 1 vs Canberra @ McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2024 - Round 1
Newcastle Knights v Canberra Raiders
McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal, New Lambton (TICKETS)
Thursday 7 March 2024

NRL kickoff 8pm AEDT. Broadcast live in Australia on Nine Network, 9Now, Fox League & Kayo Sports.

To be announced

To be announced

Referee: To be advised
Sideline Officials: To be advised
Video Referee: To be advised​

 

[perverse]

Canberra get a very early chance to exact revenge, and Sticky will have them with a massive chip on their shoulder. I can see them bullying us out of this game. Middles will need to aim up or they'll roll through us.

 

[Yosh]

I'm eagerly anticipating the team sheet for next week. Over the last decade, team announcements have been dreary affairs, often necessitating the inclusion of players who weren't first-grade material to cover for the injuries of already subpar players. This season feels different, though. We have genuine talent waiting in the wings, competing for first-grade positions. It's incredibly exciting!!!!

 

[mozza91]

Just need one of their players to bite one of ours early on and we’ll be sweet.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

First game of the year at home lads. We'll be up for this one.

Knights 20+

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

And a complete Skeepe meltdown as well

 

[mozza91]

And a complete Skeepe meltdown as well

I wish I was as confident about a win as I was a complete Skeepe meltdown.

 

[ryan.a87]

Seeing a couple of people on socials saying Pryce training at centre with Gagai on wing

 

[Woody90]

Seeing a couple of people on socials saying Pryce training at centre with Gagai on wing

He’d do well at centre and Gags is solid on the wing…I feel they’d get destroyed defensively though.

 

[SamSepi0l]

Seeing a couple of people on socials saying Pryce training at centre with Gagai on wing

This was a nonsense post at the time and remains as such. (the socials one not yours)

 

[ryan.a87]

Yeah, I see Toohey has already shut it down

they probably just ran a couple of drills with that combo and someone took that scoop and ran with it

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Yeah, I see Toohey has already shut it down

they probably just ran a couple of drills with that combo and someone took that scoop and ran with it

He probably will be named 18th man though

 

[Burwood]

He probably will be named 18th man though

Hopefully he’s playing in the NSW Cup game- he needs to get used to the Australian game and he isn’t going to get that sitting on the bench.

 

[Woody90]

Could definitely see us trailing him at centre at some point while there’s so many in front of him in the halves…sort of like a Fittler/Daley type progression into FG. Couldn’t ask for a better spot to learn than defending between Friz and Gags.

Saying that though I’d pick him as NSW cup 6 and leave him there for a solid 6-8 games at least. Maybe even play him at centre a bit in cup if the FG halves are all playing too well.

We’ve paid good money for him apparently so no doubt AOB will be doing everything to find him a spot…just depends on where and when.

 

[Yosh]

Isn't he a Super League champion? Would playing in reserve grade be sufficiently challenging for him? If we're truly committed to his development, then we need to integrate him into the first grade, whether that means positioning him as a centre or bringing him off the bench for 40 minutes.

Same goes for KPP, he needs to be in our 17. Our team greatly lacks the kind of size and athleticism he brings. He and Lucas could share playing time, potentially offering Frizzell some rest now and then, considering he's not getting any younger. I'm keen to see more of Jed, but it's hard to envision him finding playing time unless it's in the middle position. However, the middle is already crowded with the Saifitis, Leo, Jack, and Mat, all of whom deserve a spot in the top 17.

Nonetheless, it's a wonderful problem to have. There's not a single position among the top 17 that isn't competitive or doesn't have a first-grade player ready to step in immediately.

 

[Woody90]

Isn't he a Super League champion? Would playing in reserve grade be sufficiently challenging for him? If we're truly committed to his development, then we need to integrate him into the first grade, whether that means positioning him as a centre or bringing him off the bench for 40 minutes.

KPP was. Pryce was struggling to make first grade in the SL. He’s always been seen as a potential player rather than established at this point.

Pryce has also been quoted saying that our reserve grade is in a different league and that he’s learnt more here in 3 months than he did during his whole time in the UK. He’ll be plenty challenged IMO.

 

[Knight Tales]

The issue with Pryce from a AOB perspective is he has shown he has the talent. That builds pressure to put him in The side. The timing of his debut is critical for Will and this club. We don’t want him
Coming in if we need to turn the season around, and putting part of that weight on his shoulders.

 

[Yosh]

I hope we do all we can to make them feel welcome and wanted at the club. Can't stand the idea of us losing another talented youngster to the Rorters... The Dom Young move cut deep.

 

[Woody90]

On the game, my biggest concern is that the type of football we play likely isn’t going to start clicking right away and we looked very clunky in the trials (even the one we won). Raiders pack could easily run over the top of us if we’re giving away a lot of possession with errors.

If our attack clicks we should win and probably fairly comfortably, but being the first game and new combinations I think it’s more likely that it won’t.

Regardless pumped the footys back!

 

[Knight Tales]

80 min performance is all I want to see. To know, even if we lose, we will be able to fix the issues quick. I have no interest in reacting to who we should beat and who we expect to lose to. That is ridiculous in a competition of this caliber. We have to go deep into the grind and be knocking on the door in The last 10 mins every week. If not forget making the 8 cos it will be window dressing.