Match Discussion: Round 1 vs Canterbury @ McDonald Jones Stadium

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2021 - Round 1
Newcastle Knights v Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs
McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton (TICKETS)
Friday 12 March 2021

NSW Cup 3:45pm -- NRL kickoff 6pm

1. Tex Hoy 2. Starford To'a 3. Enari Tuala 4. Bradman Best 5. Gehamat Shibasaki 6. Kurt Mann 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Jayden Brailey 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Connor Watson
Interchange: 14. Sauaso Sue 15. Jacob Saifiti 16. Josh King 17. Brodie Jones 18. Hymel Hunt 19. Pasami Saulo 20. Jack Johns 21. Simi Sasagi

1. Corey Allan 2. Nick Meaney 3. Will Hopoate 4. Nick Cotric 5. Dallin Watene-Zelezniak 6. Jake Averillo 7. Kyle Flanagan 8. Ofahiki Ogden 9. Sione Katoa 10. Jack Hetherington 11. Adam Elliott 12. Corey Waddell 13. Josh Jackson
Interchange: 14. Bradley Deitz 15. Renouf Atoni 16. Raymond Faitala-Mariner 17. Dylan Napa 19. Tuipulotu Katoa 20. Chris Smith 21. Brandon Wakeham 22. Ava Seumanufagai

Referees: Ben Cummins
Sideline Officials: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski, Kasey Badger
Video Referees: Alan Shortall

Knights and Bulldogs (Mounties) NSW Cup feeders play at the same venue, 3:45pm Friday.​

 

[Knight76]

This game is going to be tougher than it should be. We struggle against the dogs, i cant see us starting in form this year, going to have to build up to play well, and no ponga, no green, and Pearce.

 

[Rodney Rude]

Dogs are specials here.

Expecting a dour game where the Dogs get up by 6-12 points

 

[mozza91]

Us by 14. Mann FTS. Pearce MOTM

 

[Yosh]

Random but Bellemy started his Storm career with 3 back to back first round knock outs at the finals. I think I'll be okay with our team finishing 5-8th this year again. Am I the only one?

 

[mozza91]

Random but Bellemy started his Storm career with 3 back to back first round knock outs at the finals. I think I'll be okay with our team finishing 5-8th this year again. Am I the only one?

Yeah mate you are. We lost a trial. Time to start thinking about 2022

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

We seem to always win round 1.

Us by 12

 

[Walk On Home Boy]

If we turn up like we have against the Dogs in any game of the last few seasons we'll be annihilated. They've flogged this side a number of times trotting out barely reserve grade line-ups but will field a stronger team this year. Real danger game and a test of character.

 

[Jono078]

Let's gooooo! Cannot wait for this.

Cautiously optimistic - basically the motto about the Knights with each start of a new season.

Knights 26-16.

 

[Burwood]

I don't think we'll see a very high scoring game- Bulldogs lack firepower, and we will be clunky at best until our full-strength spine gets some time together. Think we'll have them covered defensively though and I can't see them putting more than 12 points on us.

 

[Jono078]

I don't think we'll see a very high scoring game- Bulldogs lack firepower, and we will be clunky at best until our full-strength spine gets some time together. Think we'll have them covered defensively though and I can't see them putting more than 12 points on us.

To say they wont score points due to lack of fire power is also saying our defense will not leak easy points

#cautiouslyoptimistic

 

[Old dog]

Have a few questions on what appears to be agreed best side round 1.
Seems that left wing will be Toa but doesn’t he play right mostly, if Best is left centre is Tuala right centre even though better on left.
Maybe, 1 Hoy, 2 Tuala, 3 Best, 4 Hunt, 5 Toa.
Don’t think we can play Mann and Watson in top 13, need one on bench giving us better cover for injuries etc

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Us 22-10

 

[Burwood]

Have a few questions on what appears to be agreed best side round 1.
Seems that left wing will be Toa but doesn’t he play right mostly, if Best is left centre is Tuala right centre even though better on left.
Maybe, 1 Hoy, 2 Tuala, 3 Best, 4 Hunt, 5 Toa.
Don’t think we can play Mann and Watson in top 13, need one on bench giving us better cover for injuries etc

If Mann and Watson are in the top 13, they are our injury cover. Two backrowers and two props on the bench will have us covered.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

We'll account for the Bulldogs. Last year we lost 2 hookers playing them so I don't consider that loss very meaningful.

Rd 1 at home, big crowd, strong squad.

 

[Knight76]

We'll account for the Bulldogs. Last year we lost 2 hookers playing them so I don't consider that loss very meaningful.

Rd 1 at home, big crowd, strong squad.

Whats the rules on crowd this season? Full capacity or social distancing still?

Edit> I think I recall the club shop ladies when I was in there talking about having to be a distance away from others, so probs still reduced capacity yeah?

 

[Frederick]

Whats the rules on crowd this season? Full capacity or social distancing still?

Edit> I think I recall the club shop ladies when I was in there talking about having to be a distance away from others, so probs still reduced capacity yeah?

I think it's capped at 75%

 

[Silent Knight]

I hope we have a huge crowd there that will absolutely give it to the Dogs. If the Dogs walk into a genuinely hostile environment that will help us secure the win.

Of course the atmosphere has changed a lot since the late 90s and early 00s when I used to sit on those wooden benches behind the goalposts and literally everyone was giving the visiting team an absolute bath. There were also the reports that the visitors change room was a hellhole with wet floors.

 

[PhilGould]

1. Tex Hoy
2. Starford To'a
3. Enari Tuala
4. Bradman Best
5. Gehamat Shibasaki
6. Kurt Mann
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. David Klemmer
9. Jayden Brailey (C)
10. Daniel Saifiti (C)
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Mitch Barnett
13. Connor Watson

14. Sauaso Sue
15. Jacob Saifiti
16. Josh King
17. Brodie Jones

18. Hymel Hunt
19. Pasami Saulo
20. Jack Johns
21. Simi Sagagi

Shibasaki over Hymel the only big surprise

 

[Walk On Home Boy]

Why no Hunt? Mann at 6 despite proving time and again that he can't distribute the ball? Watson and Mann in the starting line-up together?

Smh...