Match Discussion: Round 1 vs Sea Eagles @ McDonald Jones Stadium

[Mr_Knightside]

Wow! just wow! Firstly how good does it feel to beat Manly again! Especially after that BS "try" from Uate against as last year. Also to do it in golden point is even sweeter, does anyone remember when we actually last won a game in golden point? The last one I can remember is when Scotty Dureau kicked that field goal against Manly in round 2, 2008 but surely that can't be our last golden point win? That was 10 years ago! I know we've had a couple of draws since then but it feels like ages since we felt the ecstasy of a GP triumph, and I can't think of an opposition who I would rather do it against other than Manly (apart from maybe Broncos haha)

 

[Silent Knight]

I wouldn't want a GP win against the Donkeys. I'd want us to blow them off the park before even halftime so widdle Darius can go into the change room and cry on Daddy Wango's shoulder.

 

[PhilGould]

Just re-watched the game to get a better grasp after being at the ground last night. Great to get any win after our last 3 seasons, but an especially feel-good win given the context. Some notes:

• Kalyn Ponga. So much to be impressed by. Saving multiple tries, safe under the high ball, putting Manly in 2 minds every time he touched the ball. Has superstar written all over him.

• Herman had a great first hit-out. He was enormous for us in that last 20 minutes + golden point.

• Moga needs early ball. We were using him to truck the ball out of our own end, and he had some strong runs, but when we got into attacking position he rarely touched the ball. Same goes with Sione really.

• I thought our ruck defence/middle defence in general was really good, and I think that had a lot to do with Slade Griffin. On the flip side, I thought his service out of dummy half was pretty average. It was slow and often the passes were behind where they needed to be. Hopefully he can improve on that.

• Manly's line speed was great all game. Our line speed was non-existent.

• Both of our edges make me very nervous in defence. I'm glad Manly didn't attack either edge much.

• Fifth-tackle options were a mixed bag and definitely need to improve.

• Outside of Herman, I thought our prop rotation struggled. Daifiti looks fit but struggled to inject himself like I hoped he would. I think he needs to play more minutes next week. Games like this demonstrate why prop is the position we need to be focusing on in recruitment. I think Tevita Pangai is the perfect fit, but I digress.

• Watching live at the game, Pearce was talking a lot more than I remember him talking at the Roosters. Heighington was a very local leader in his stint on the field, too.

• What to do with Watson vs Lamb is probably the biggest question from the game. The plan was for Watson to be given time to develop as a #6, and I'm fine if that's what continues happening. Undeniably the team looked smoother when Lamb came on as 5/8 and from Brown's comments it seems inevitable that he will take the #6 jersey sooner or later. Watson had a strong stint at hooker I thought.

• I'm a big fan of Jamie Buhrer, but I don't think he fits in our top 17. Not a fan of having Lamb, Buhrer and a smaller middle forward like Heighington on the bench. Especially this week coming up against a massive pack like Canberra, we'll get killed. I would replace Buhrer with Jaifiti.

• The jerseys are great, would be greater with yellow numbers.

 

[macavity]

I think we looked better with Lamb at 6 largely because Watson played fantastic at 9... griffin is strong in defence but his service is very sub par.

 

[Bartwah]

Unreal game to be at live. Team looked much slicker when Lamb came on. So do we keep Levi in Reggies, if Watson were to become our 14? I wouldn’t be moving griffin from the 9. Solid defender that can handle the big packs

 

[Spot On]

Just re-watched the game to get a better grasp after being at the ground last night. Great to get any win after our last 3 seasons, but an especially feel-good win given the context. Some notes:

• Kalyn Ponga. So much to be impressed by. Saving multiple tries, safe under the high ball, putting Manly in 2 minds every time he touched the ball. Has superstar written all over him.

• Herman had a great first hit-out. He was enormous for us in that last 20 minutes + golden point.

• Moga needs early ball. We were using him to truck the ball out of our own end, and he had some strong runs, but when we got into attacking position he rarely touched the ball. Same goes with Sione really.

• I thought our ruck defence/middle defence in general was really good, and I think that had a lot to do with Slade Griffin. On the flip side, I thought his service out of dummy half was pretty average. It was slow and often the passes were behind where they needed to be. Hopefully he can improve on that.

• Manly's line speed was great all game. Our line speed was non-existent.

• Both of our edges make me very nervous in defence. I'm glad Manly didn't attack either edge much.

• Fifth-tackle options were a mixed bag and definitely need to improve.

• Outside of Herman, I thought our prop rotation struggled. Daifiti looks fit but struggled to inject himself like I hoped he would. I think he needs to play more minutes next week. Games like this demonstrate why prop is the position we need to be focusing on in recruitment. I think Tevita Pangai is the perfect fit, but I digress.

• Watching live at the game, Pearce was talking a lot more than I remember him talking at the Roosters. Heighington was a very local leader in his stint on the field, too.

• What to do with Watson vs Lamb is probably the biggest question from the game. The plan was for Watson to be given time to develop as a #6, and I'm fine if that's what continues happening. Undeniably the team looked smoother when Lamb came on as 5/8 and from Brown's comments it seems inevitable that he will take the #6 jersey sooner or later. Watson had a strong stint at hooker I thought.

• I'm a big fan of Jamie Buhrer, but I don't think he fits in our top 17. Not a fan of having Lamb, Buhrer and a smaller middle forward like Heighington on the bench. Especially this week coming up against a massive pack like Canberra, we'll get killed. I would replace Buhrer with Jaifiti.

• The jerseys are great, would be greater with yellow numbers.

Absolutely agree with all this but Griffin's service. Not the quickest you'll see but better than I thought it would be. I'll have to watch again maybe??

I'm hoping our young props can be a lot more aggressive in defence and provide more go forward. We know what we'll get from Lillyman so the others need to do what Herman did last night to give us a bit more punch. Dan will be better in a few weeks. Obviously we need another big bopper on the bench for that to happen. J Saf or King please.

 

[Pedge1971]

Yeah at times I thought we were outsized in the fwds and same with Parra. Pretty clear most teams will play direct against us this year so Browny needs to do something about it. The bigger/better teams will roll is like the Parra trial.

But how good does it feel to still win noting plenty of room for improvement!

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

I wasn't happy when it seemed we had guaranteed Watson and Griffin starting spots when we signed them. Both said the desire to get starting spots influenced them signing.

We wanted a running half and we got one in Watson.

Seems by Brown's press conference that neither were given a guarantee but instead a chance

Watson and Lamb are totally different types of players. Watson has value. I reckon Lamb needs to be in the 17 at least as a backup half and goal kicker.

Pearce first receiver, Ponga feeding the left and Lamb the right suits me with Watson as the utility and Lamb a backup general kicker.

As to who is picked to start and when an interchange happens might depend on the type of half we want at the time.

Unfortunately, that leaves Levi out in the cold.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Here's how I rated our new recruits btw.

Ponga - Brilliant club debut for us, was in everything and will only get better with experience. The thing that I was most impressed with was his defence, he can take just as much (if not more) credit as Pearce for winning us that game as he saved at least 2 tries and that tackle on Uate could be one of the try-savers of the season!

Moga - Had a pretty forgettable evening but to be fair to him our edges barely saw any ball because we weren't really getting much momentum in the middle, also he didn't get a full pre-season in so he's probably still catching up to the pace of the game.

Watson - Also had a fairly forgettable evening, due to our lack of momentum in the forwards he didn't really get to unleash his running game but hopefully we'll see more of that from him when we're going forward in the middle. His work from dummy half was decent though and he threw a nice ball for Fitz to score and his kick into the in goal to force a repeat set was clever too.

Pearce - Was excellent, really controlled the game and guided the team around nicely, also didn't panic when we got to golden point. As highlighted in my previous post our record in golden point over the last decade is terrible and it's usually because we either panic and become disorganized or we haven't had anyone willing to step up and make the clutch play to win the game.

Ese'ese - Was very solid overall, was contained by Manly in his first stint but bent the line back in his second stint, looks like a beast and will get better and better with more games under his belt.

Griffin - He did a great job of locking up the middle and on several occasions he was on the spot to make crucial tackles, he took down Tommy Turbo a few times one on one when he was looking threatening. His service from dummy half was good as well, this guy just looks like a pro which isn't surprising given he came from the Melbourne system. His barge over try was good to see as well. He's pretty solid and a bit of a nugget of a hooker which shows in his solid defence against the big men.

Lillyman - Did what was expected/asked of him, took some tough carries.

Guerra - Had a mixed night, his first half was poor imo but was much better in the second half and made some quality contributions in the last 20 mins and especially his last run in GP where he almost got to the line.

Heighington - Same as Lillyman, did what was expected/asked of him. Took a couple of nice settling runs in GP to get us going in the right direction and tackled well, must have had a calming influence on the young guys out there.

 

[Dave_]

Be honest guys, how many of you have referred to Pearce as 'Mythcell' or 'Shitchell' over the years?

He's a very good 1st grade halfback and has been for a while now.

Between Pearce and Ponga that's an amazing double act as far as new signings go.

Brighter days ahead and no fan base deserves it more after the last few years.

Oh yeah...Shitchell the Myth all day every day because he played so well for a scum club team and so crap for my state. Just like Cooper Gronk who just played like a busted for your grubby loser team.

Anyway, Pearce is now a legend. Nothing mythical or shit about it

 

[Tommy Smith]

And when I said that no fan base deserves success more than the Knights, I meant all Knights fans except Dave.

Dave is not nice. Don't be like Dave, kids.

 

[Dave_]

And when I said that no fan base deserves success more than the Knights, I meant all Knights fans except Dave.

Dave is not nice. Don't be like Dave, kids.

Hahaha, it's all gone to my head mate. Soz

 

[Zoidberg]

does anyone remember when we actually last won a game in golden point? The last one I can remember is when Scotty Dureau kicked that field goal against Manly in round 2, 2008 but surely that can't be our last golden point win? That was 10 years ago! I know we've had a couple of draws since then but it feels like ages since we felt the ecstasy of a GP triumph,l

They said in commentary that match against Manly in ‘08 was our last GP win. I can believe that, we have always seemed pretty poor at them, and history confirms that.

 

[Choppy182]

I'm not going to be too critical, we played so well and showed some fight! already a big difference than previous years. but Sione and SKD in defence really need some cohesion, I can't believe Manly didn't attack there more often. Moga and ross need more EARLY ball.

Manly's defence was outstanding for the most part, great line speed restricting our play but again, we didn't throw the towel in we kept persisting.

Manly will be a menacing forward pack this year, some big dudes in that team. Our agility will cause headaches against even bigger packs so I'm not worried too much about the size of our bench.

 

[Knight Vision]

I'm not going to be too critical, we played so well and showed some fight! already a big difference than previous years. but Sione and SKD in defence really need some cohesion, I can't believe Manly didn't attack there more often. Moga and ross need more EARLY ball.

Manly's defence was outstanding for the most part, great line speed restricting our play but again, we didn't throw the towel in we kept persisting.

Manly will be a menacing forward pack this year, some big dudes in that team. Our agility will cause headaches against even bigger packs so I'm not worried too much about the size of our bench.

very rarely were they onside

 

[Frederick]

very rarely were they onside

Yep, every single set their forwards were clearly in front of the refs.

 

[TooheysNew]

To be fair, so were our outside men on a bunch of occasions.

 

[Choppy182]

very rarely were they onside

I was at the game sitting behind/in front of the play, couldn't see that too well but that would explain it!

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

Interesting that Sio was the goal kicker in reserves. He played at centre.
I would have thought we might have a specialist kicker coming through. Sio can kick but he never seemed to be close to a first choice
Maybe he is improving his selection and club chances by working on his goal kicking.

Denniss also played in the centres. Apparently he has bulked up a bit.

 

[Still Nutty]

Interesting that Sio was the goal kicker in reserves. He played at centre.
I would have thought we might have a specialist kicker coming through. Sio can kick but he never seemed to be close to a first choice
Maybe he is improving his selection and club chances by working on his goal kicking.

Denniss also played in the centres. Apparently he has bulked up a bit.

Got to assume it was originally slated for Lamb, if he was staying down in reggies but I didn't even realise he could kick either