Match Discussion: Round 10 vs Raiders @ McDonald Jones Stadium

[Hardcore_Fan]

Interesting press conference from Brown.

Basically said that today's performance is what he expects from saifiti and he has very high expectations from him. It's quite
Refreshing, hagan and stone would have been satisfied with saifiti making 80m however today's 185m performance from him is about where brown views his minimum expectation. The only way we will see results is to challenge our players on an individual basis and that's what brown is doing.

Brown also said the same of sione, basically has set the bar very high for sione compared to the other 20 year olds.

We haven't yet really seen what brown could do from a coaching perspective if he had a good team at his disposal. But brown does appear to be able to get the best out of each individual player which is all we can ask at this stage.

 

[Life's Good]

Well done Knights. Really happy you guys got the win.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Had the game recorded yesterday and watched it when I got home. Didn't know the result and was expecting our normal second half error riddled fade-out but it never came. We actually held our nerve and put the game away! I couldn't believe it!

Super pumped to be a fan right now, it's not like it means much on the competition table but a few more wins like that this year and I'll be feeling much more positive about our future prospects. It's good to finally see the young guys get the reward for all the effort they've been putting in.

Everyone contributed in one way or another in this game. Obviously D. Saifiti and Sione were the two stand-outs but I was also impressed with Pete, Ross, Wardle, Yates and even Fitzgibbon.

Our halves were nice and controlled as well. They didn't overplay their hand and although the kicking for touch tactic was a bit frustrating from a spectator standpoint I was impressed that we turned up with a clear game plan and Lamb/Feeney managed to execute it perfectly.

The overall enthusiasm was great as well, our kick chase was really good all afternoon and the win was summed up by some of our effort plays. Ross chasing down Whitehead and forcing him to lose the ball, Lamb cutting down Leilua when he looked certain to score, Fitzgibbon playing most of the game with a busted knee, Pete being held up by a couple of defenders and still managing to get the ball down. Just great little moments in the game! We earned that win!

 

[PhilGould]

Now that we know how well he handles it, hopefully Daniel can start playing some bigger minutes regularly. Should be playing 55 at least.

 

[Yosh]

The win help put a smile on my face on the way to work this Monday morning. I hope it continues!

 

[Billythekid]

Was a really fun atmosphere at the ground. The crowd was only 10K strong but it seemed more vocal than usual. It's hilarious how loud the boos are for the video ref, kinda sums up the general distain fans have for this awful set up.

I'm not a knights fan but it was awesome to be there for that win. If you saw the 6 crazy merkins in power rangers outfits that was us.

Some of your young guys are really performing. Hopefully you can move on the deadwood like Hodko and move forward as a club. There's a lot to like about the team and I think you're only a few good players off competing for a premiership (assuming some of the young guys kick on).

 

[jb2]

Excellent to finally have a win and hopefully they can get a couple more this season. Also for them to actually score 34 points in a game is a massive achievement in itself.

 

[Johns Magic]

I fear the timing of his move to fullback is to justify paying him fullback money to keep him...

Would be standard Brown if he knew Gagai was leaving to Souths so moved him to a position we have covered next year anyway. Trial centre options.

He is all about the future and Gagai has none at our club as a fullback.

 

[Caped Crusader]

That's more than likely

I liked what Wardle did at centre yesterday, contained the Raiders left edge well and ran that nice hole for a great try. Might be a touch slow though.

Will be interesting to see what happens when Eliott comes back as he has been impressive at fullback

 

[Hardcore_Fan]

Now that you mention it. That's exactly what's happening.

 

[PhilGould]

Unsurprisingly, Daniel Saifiti picked up players' player award.

 

[slotmachine]

Double like.

 

[Hardcore_Fan]

Watching the replay.

Fitzgibbons effort in the 23rd minute was phenomenal. One tough mofo.

 

[Still Nutty]

Yep - it was great to be at the game yesterday....

My wraps include most of the team:

Ross was his usual 110% self and not just the soft stuff but every ruck out with purpose and as though it is his last run on a football field

Pete Mat has just grown every week in my estimation and his contribution yesterday has him as the best centre at our club at the moment

Lamb is starting to grow in confidence and he is starting to grow a pair in defence...a one on one try saver 5 metres out in the first half was a sterling effort. Also think the positive is that he has a combination with Feeney so he has a sense of comfort that his halves partner can carry some of the load

Feeney had his best first grade game in his short career and proved that he isn't over awed when playing FG in a familiar position, I actually see something there for Brown to work - not a world beater but as a serviceable half

Fitzgibbon's effort on one leg was pretty impressive against a monster pack yesterday...he may only be a journeyman but he definitely has got ticker and was prepared to front up again and again

Danny Levi hasn't received much of a mention but I thought this was also one of his best games as part of a complimentary spine (minus Gaigai)...I thought the halves and Danny really worked well in concert and could develop a decent combination under a simple game plan

Daniel has just grown and grown over the past few weeks...he has obviously really picked up confidence from his rep stint last weekend too because that is the best game I have seen him play.

Yates was his usual self ( a lot like Ross) - all effort and playing like every tackle or run is his last

And finally....excellent work by Brownie - many (including me) were cursing the kicking tactics but it had a 2 folds effect...our completion rate went through the roof (19 of 19 in the second half) and it took Rapana, Cotric and Joey completely out of the equation on kick returns.

If we can learn to develop a capacity to get a completion rate above 80%, I think we can win another 3-5 games this season...I hopw we can start with our first back to back wins in a long time next week against the Panthers.

 

[bad boy bubby]

I just watched the replay even though I had already heard the score, it's a hard feeling to describe to others who aren't Knights fans, having so many losses and downs over the last few years and so little joy. For both our wins this year, once we got to the point where there's no way we're gonna lose, I see the players jumping around so happy and I get a lump in my throat combined with a massive grin on my face. For a long time no other NRL supporters have truly appreciated a win like we can today.

Less shame

Mate as a Sharks supporter I certainly can, and I"m not talking about our 50 year wait....
In 2014 our season was the definition of hell, peptides, Carney, Flanno sacked, players suspended, culminating in our first wooden spoon in 45 years.
We couldnt wait for the season to end then all of a sudden we beat the Broncos, but then Carney's photo shoot hit the shops so we were absolutely screwed for the rest of the year.
That week we played the Premiers, the Roosters, and won. This game reminded me of yours yesterday.
Same type of jubilation and the sense of belief.
I've explained on here a few times why I have a soft spot for the Knights, and as an opposing supporter who has seen hell then come back to the pearly gates in regards to his team, I honestly hope you guys come good with the programmes you are setting in place.
I'll leave you with this highlight package of the Sharks vs Roosters game and you'll see the players at the end looking pretty much the same as your fellas did yesterday. Also a couple of good tries by Gagan when he came into grade.

 

[Glendale]

Would be standard Brown if he knew Gagai was leaving to Souths so moved him to a position we have covered next year anyway. Trial centre options.

He is all about the future and Gagai has none at our club as a fullback.

Yep you've hit the nail ont he head here, unfortunately. I'd be interested to know wether Elliot was injured yesterday.. Because from what I've heard he wasn't injured at all and he was warming up with the side as 18th man? If this is true this means the club knows Gagai is definatley going so they moved him to fullback.

Also interesting Wardle got first crack at centre before Ross.

 

[perverse]

Yep you've hit the nail ont he head here, unfortunately. I'd be interested to know wether Elliot was injured yesterday.. Because from what I've heard he wasn't injured at all and he was warming up with the side as 18th man? If this is true this means the club knows Gagai is definatley going so they moved him to fullback.

Also interesting Wardle got first crack at centre before Ross.

Yeah, Elliot wasn't injured yesterday.

Wardle was brought here with a reputation for versatility between backrow and centre. Before touching a ball he was pretty adamant that he was a backrower, though. Maybe he's changed his mind after a few weeks in an NRL forward pack, lol.

 

[perverse]

In 2014 our season was the definition of hell, peptides, Carney, Flanno sacked, players suspended, culminating in our first wooden spoon in 45 years.

Yeah that was a very shocking year for you blokes. It was almost as bad as our average.

 

[Apey]

If you saw the 6 crazy merkins in power rangers outfits that was us.

Nah saw this guy walking home though...

 

[mozza91]

Yeah that was a very shocking year for you blokes. It was almost as bad as our average.

Their 2014 wasn't even as bad as our 2014. McKinnon's injury, Tinkler going bankrupt and Wayne and his little bitch turning tail on us.