Match Discussion: Round 16 vs North Qld @ McDonald Jones Stadium

[GidleyTwinz]

It's an obvious comment, but this is what I've been saying about holding off on judgement for this season to date.

The team looks completely different with KP in it, and with two actual halves playing. Ponga's presence creates space for everyone else in the team, I personally think Fitz has looked very good today (not origin money good, but solid firstgrader good).

Cliff has been fantastic, and very impressed Pearce has let him touch the ball so much and just stuck to an overall organising role for the most part. It's the best set up for the side, but it's something he never let happen when Phoenix was playing.

Also, Dom is still growing into his frame - he isn't as physically dominant as he will be in a couple of years, but his contact carrying the ball has been so much better tonight. Impressed

 

[Loose Cannon]

Clifford is looking special. Unbelievably happy with this signing.

 

[Burwood]

For most of the first 40 minutes, I was having a really bad feeling about the second half and cowboys working their way back into the match. They looked dangerous with the ball and seemed able to split Newcastle with ease at times.

But those final two minutes when Newcastle showed some defensive resolve has me feeling a bit more confident now. Hopefully they can now go on with it and put 40+ on them.

 

[Jono078]

Clifford is looking special. Unbelievably happy with this signing.

Me too, I honestly think he’s a top 10 half in the game now.. he’ll just get better too.

also happy Pearce isn’t getting in his way and they are working super well together.
Good to have this happy excited feeling back.

this season is far from over. It’s has begun.

 

[Knight Tales]

I hope this puts the hysteria around Gagai and Finucane to bed for Zammit and the recruitment team. Shift focus to making sure Young and The Safitis are under lock and key. No Friz or Best either. Chill out recruitment officers. First time we have had our entire team on the park and we are ripping it up.

 

[perverse]

It's an obvious comment, but this is what I've been saying about holding off on judgement for this season to date.

The team looks completely different with KP in it, and with two actual halves playing. Ponga's presence creates space for everyone else in the team, I personally think Fitz has looked very good today (not origin money good, but solid firstgrader good).

Cliff has been fantastic, and very impressed Pearce has let him touch the ball so much and just stuck to an overall organising role for the most part. It's the best set up for the side, but it's something he never let happen when Phoenix was playing.

ALso, Dom is still growing into his frame - he isn't as physically dominant as he will be in a couple of years, but his contact carrying the ball has been so much better tonight. Impressed

Just because we look heaps better with our spine back, doesn't excuse all the rubbish we've dished up without them either. We need to be better than that, but yes we look like a completely different team with Clifford in the team and our 1, 6, 7, 9 all on board. It's not exactly a huge scoop. Things like completion rates, effort areas, etc are things you can maintain at a high level with or without your stars, though - and the good teams do. We do not.

Now that said, I'm not gonna sit here and say I'm not enjoying this either.

 

[perverse]

also happy Pearce isn’t getting in his way and they are working super well together.

Second game in and they are complementing each other very, very well. Best halves combo we've had in a long, long time.

 

[perverse]

I hope this puts the hysteria around Gagai and Finucane to bed for Zammit and the recruitment team. Shift focus to making sure Young and The Safitis are under lock and key. No Friz or Best either. Chill out recruitment officers. First time we have had our entire team on the park and we are ripping it up.

We still need more quality depth out wide. If Shibasaki is first off the rank in our depth chart, we're not in good shape. Finucane has always been a dud target, though - for sure.

Our needs haven't really changed. A quality outside back and a second rower that provides a point of difference are our needs.

 

[slotmachine]

Things like completion rates, effort areas, etc are things you can maintain at a high level with or without your stars, though - and the good teams do. We do not.

Still downhill skiers. We generally look quite good when things are going our way.

 

[perverse]

We've started this half like we don't want to win the match.

 

[Knight Tales]

Totally agree with the sentiment of Dom to the right. Instinctively he is trying to play right. Hence the errors.

 

[GidleyTwinz]

Struggling to sit still (through nerves) while up 22-0.

Is there a more typical experience for a Knights fan?

 

[Burwood]

It’s amazing what happens when you consistently challenge bombs.

 

[Knight Tales]

That's a strip.

 

[PhilGould]

Clifford making things happen once again, after saving a try in the corner earlier. The attacking punch he's added has been great, but the effort areas have been just as good.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

We needed a better set play from the scrum than Pearce taking them on.

 

[Tom155]

When was the last time Fitz broke through the line?

Sloppy stuff so far

 

[perverse]

God we've been shit this half. What happened in the sheds?

 

[aqua_duck]

Our attack sucks again

 

[Knight Tales]

Too eager.