Match Discussion: Round 1 vs Sharks @ McDonald Jones Stadium

[Old dog]

I don't see what's with all the doom and gloom. Ese'ese being there or not isn't going to win or lose us the game. That's a really strong side. The best side I have seen named in over a decade. No glaring weaknesses apart from Hunt and SKD being new together. Could see us concede some down that side (if they play together) but we look hella strong. Can't wait for Friday to roll around!

Correct me if wrong but isn’t SKD right side with Ramien so Hunt will be with Lee on left.

 

[slotmachine]

Correct me if wrong but isn’t SKD right side with Ramien so Hunt will be with Lee on left.

That's right.

 

[Knight Vision]

Didnt realise that Barny was a Knights Junior. So out of our 17 named we have 6 juniors Barny, Sione, Fitz, Mann, Levi, DSaf .

https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/03/12...newcastle-duo-mitch-barnett-and-jamie-buhrer/
Winning is all that matters for Newcastle duo Mitch Barnett and Jamie Buhrer

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Didnt realise that Barny was a Knights Junior. So out of our 17 named we have 6 juniors Barny, Sione, Fitz, Mann, Levi, DSaf .

I could be wrong but Isn't Ramien a junior too?

 

[Haffa]

I could be wrong but Isn't Ramien a junior too?

You're wrong he played NYC with Manly.

 

[PhilGould]

Think he lived at the Kirinari hostel and played a season for a local side in Newcastle when he was younger but he was never a Knights junior.

 

[Knight Vision]

We got this

https://www.newcastleknights.com.au...ycW5PqwPVhTowoQHLAhEHfo0JONfAJfvbige0YyKLqew0

Head to head: Metre eaters and kicking gun

 

[Still Nutty]

We got this

https://www.newcastleknights.com.au...ycW5PqwPVhTowoQHLAhEHfo0JONfAJfvbige0YyKLqew0

Head to head: Metre eaters and kicking gun

Some of those individual stats match ups do re-enforce my confidence that we have the capability within individuals to match it with the best in the comp BUT...where we need to make the difference is in the team stats this year - and more so than ever that is going to come down to coaching, robust defensive structures, discipline, etc.

I'm not expecting miracles in round 1 because much of this will take a while to gel on the field with so many new players and positional changes but I am keen and excited to see (if we can improve and maintain our discipline in completions as a starting point) how well we can compete for the 80 minutes with the top tier teams based on the quality of the squad we now have at our disposal in 2019.

Round 1 should be a good test

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Some of those individual stats match ups do re-enforce my confidence that we have the capability within individuals to match it with the best in the comp BUT...where we need to make the difference is in the team stats this year - and more so than ever that is going to come down to coaching, robust defensive structures, discipline, etc.

I'm not expecting miracles in round 1 because much of this will take a while to gel on the field with so many new players and positional changes but I am keen and excited to see (if we can improve and maintain our discipline in completions as a starting point) how well we can compete for the 80 minutes with the top tier teams based on the quality of the squad we now have at our disposal in 2019.

Round 1 should be a good test

Well said, we will probably look a bit scratchy for the first 4-6 weeks given how many new players are in the squad but I expect that we’ll be looking better and better by the time we get to the middle of the season. Obviously a half decent run with injuries would help a lot, I can’t remember the last time we didn’t lose all of our key players for extended periods. If Pearce, Ponga, Watson and Levi can stay on the park together for the majority of the year I think we’ll be looking good and will hopefully be playing finals.

 

[Frederick]

Looks like Glasby may be the backup kicker

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

How would a third party look at our team and rate it?
I've seen a post in the Sharks forum that doesn't rate it.
We know these guys but how would they be assessed by others?

 

[Burwood]

As a team I don’t rate us very highly at all, yet. Got some fantastic individual players and lots of potential, but they still need to earn the type of reputation that Cronulla has over the last 4-5 years. That will only come by playing together and getting results.

 

[slotmachine]

To an outsider. Probably;

Halves look great, hooker and fullback crap.
Outside backs, Ramien excellent, others ordinary.
Forwards OK. Klemmer is good, but gavet is a journeyman, no one rates fitz (yet) and glasby is pretty anonymous.
Bench poor. Mann isn't a real hooker option, Guerra is old, Barnett is a nobody, Dan is up and down.

More importantly there has been a culture of losing instilled in the team. Until they put together some wins no one is going to rate anyone other than Ponga, Klemmer and Ramien.

Most rugby league fans don't think Pearce is any good because he stunk in Origin but he was the best half in the comp before he got hurt last year etc.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

To an outsider. Probably;

Halves look great, hooker and fullback crap.
Outside backs, Ramien excellent, others ordinary.
Forwards OK. Klemmer is good, but gavet is a journeyman, no one rates fitz (yet) and glasby is pretty anonymous.
Bench poor. Mann isn't a real hooker option, Guerra is old, Barnett is a nobody, Dan is up and down.

More importantly there has been a culture of losing instilled in the team. Until they put together some wins no one is going to rate anyone other than Ponga, Klemmer and Ramien.

Most rugby league fans don't think Pearce is any good because he stunk in Origin but he was the best half in the comp before he got hurt last year etc.

That losing culture is what we've had and will have regardless of the team It's like a disease. When we do perform we can throw it away in disbelief. Same attitude permeates fans - we want to believe but then we fall over. It's Newie, we love the place but nobody rates us.
It's our biggest issue.
Damn I hope we can get on top of it

 

[bad boy bubby]

Hopefully a good game tonight. I think we'll beat you but all the best anyway.

 

[Yosh]

Game day!! Boom!!! So pumped. Let's give a good showing. Off season is too long

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

I'm just hoping for no pre recorded Newcastle chant on the loud speaker this year..

 

[Burns]

I'm just hoping for no pre recorded Newcastle chant on the loud speaker this year..

This, please.

 

[Silent Knight]

What is the weather like in Newy atm? I think the Donkeys players returned this afternoon because their tears are literally flooding Brisbane.

 

[Tom155]

Here we go