Match Discussion: Round 15 vs Cowboys @ McDonald Jones Stadium

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2020 - Round 15
Newcastle Knights v North Queensland Cowboys
McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton
Sunday 23 August 2020

Kickoff 4:05pm - Nine/FOX

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Starford To'a 3. Enari Tuala 4. Gehamat Shibasaki 5. Hymel Hunt 6. Blake Green 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Kurt Mann 10. Jacob Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Aidan Guerra 13. Mitchell Barnett
Interchange: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Herman Ese'ese 16. Josh King 17. Pasami Saulo 18. Brodie Jones 19. Tex Hoy 20. Chris Randall 21. Jirah Momoisea

1. Scott Drinkwater 2. Kyle Feldt 3. Tom Opacic 4. Connelly Lemuelu 5. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 6. Ben Hampton 7. Michael Morgan 8. Josh Mcguire 9. Reece Robson 10. Jordan McLean 11. Mitchell Dunn 12. Coen Hess 13. Jason Taumalolo
Interchange: 14. Reuben Cotter 15. John Asiata 16. Emry Pere 17. Francis Molo 18. Shane Wright 19. Jake Clifford 20. Corey Jensen 22. Justin O'Neill

Referees: Adam Gee
Sideline Officials: Belinda Sharpe, Dave Munro
Video Referees: Jared Maxwell, Bryan Norrie

​

 

[perverse]

Given the result of our last meeting, and how we played against Manly, we better come out with a rocket up our arse this week. We can be so much better.

 

[Joel-22]

Not making excuses but we're without our 1st and 2nd string hookers, our best outside back, two rep FRFs and we have a 5/8 who has had less than a fortnight with the others let alone a full pre-season.

We're not where we need to be yet, but the trend is an upward one.

 

[Old dog]

Same team basically as this week depending on injuries, changes, possible Dan rested or injured if so start Jake play Jones and swap Randall for Crossland and look at Jones for King or Ese’ese if no injuries

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

I'd put Randall in for the sake of giving him more game time.

 

[Apey]

We can definitely lose to a bottom 4 side twice in a season.

 

[Silent Knight]

I hope we towel them up and smash the living daylights out of Coen Dress and Jake Clifford, mouthy little prick.

 

[Knight Vision]

Based on today's performance and what I saw of the Cowboys game this weekend we are going to be in a fight this game. In the positive the Cowgirls have to travel.

Hopefully the boys use our last game against them as motivation because they sure as shit didnt play with much today ( at least to start with ) .

 

[Yosh]

As bad as Pearce has been all season, hard to hate the lad. Effort plus and won't let us down defensively. Hopefully we get to see Ponga and Green get the ball on the last in the opposition 20.

Where did the Mann short ball around the ruck to Ponga go? Wanna see that bac.

 

[Alex28]

I'd put Randall in for the sake of giving him more game time.

We have a top 4 spot to chase. Strongest 17 thanks. No time for experimenting.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

We have a top 4 spot to chase. Strongest 17 thanks. No time for experimenting.

We have time to get more experience for Randall. If we don't and Mann gets put out then it's too late to blood a backup. It isn't as if Crossland or Hoy offer much by way of impact.

 

[Knight Vision]

won't let us down defensively

thats a myth Pearce leads the NRL in missed tackles this year by 13 to his nearest rival......to give you an idea the rest of them are all separated by 1 or 2 missed tackles. He could not play another game this year and probably still get the gong.

Missed tackles - 56 - Fox Stats. Not sure if his 5 today have been added to that tally.

Pearce is in a terrible rut and doesnt even look like coming out of it.

Im wondering if he's injured.? The missed tackles and horrendous kicking suggest maybe a leg injury? Groin perhaps ?

 

[Yosh]

thats a myth Pearce leads the NRL in missed tackles this year by 13 to his nearest rival......to give you an idea the rest of them are all separated by 1 or 2 missed tackles. He could not play another game this year and probably still get the gong.

Missed tackles - 56 - Fox Stats. Not sure if his 5 today have been added to that tally.

Pearce is in a terrible rut and doesnt even look like coming out of it.

Im wondering if he's injured.? The missed tackles and horrendous kicking suggest maybe a leg injury? Groin perhaps ?

Really? Can't think of an example where he was a fault for an opposition try. Can remember him cleaning up and making some great plays though.

It's a bad stat to be leading but I feel like it's a star that doesn't tell the whole story.

 

[Knight Vision]

Really? Can't think of an example where he was a fault for an opposition try. Can remember him cleaning up and making some great plays though.

It's a bad stat to be leading but I feel like it's a star that doesn't tell the whole story.

I agree, but it is perhaps telling us something about Pearce, he's never usually up there for missed tackles that I can recall.

Maybe he's injured? A lot of players play with some nasty injuries we dont get to hear about.

 

[Jono078]

If we don't seek retribution in this game and really aim up then I'm at a loss with what it takes to change our culture.

 

[aqua_duck]

I've noticed with Pearce he's going into quite a few tackles very awkwardly and hence missing badly, was also surprised how much pace he's lost in the past few years, Pearce in his prime would've ran the length after that intercept today

 

[Spot On]

There is absolutely no doubt his defence has fallen away badly this season.

 

[Spot On]

Im wondering if he's injured.? The missed tackles and horrendous kicking suggest maybe a leg injury? Groin perhaps ?

Has to be injured. If he's not...

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Oh no...

https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2020/08/19/nsw-miners-to-cheer-on-knights-from-home/

 

[Zoidberg]

Time to break the curse