Match Discussion: Round 2 vs Wests Tigers @ McDonald Jones Stadium

[Sir Galahad]

Him performing in rep teams was never an issue.

How did he get selected in SOO and Aust rep teams if he was playing so poorly for the Knights ? One of the worst teams in NRL history.

QLD were stacked with talent in those years, in his last year at the Knights Gagai was player of the series - playing in a good team.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Well said, and I certainly do cringe quite often. It's like some weird alternate reality where he wasn't one of our best players on the park for the majority of his time with us. As you said, he's matured some - has more leadership about him and has bulked up a bit too... but I don't think he's that much different, and I didn't have any doubt about him being an asset when he returned.

The biggest change in his game has been defence. In his last season with us he was an absolute turnstile at times but now i never worry about him missing a tackle

 

[Jono078]

Odd debate going on about Gagai here and I feel it stemmed from me saying he's better now than he was for us before.. I didn't say anything bad - actually a damn good compliment!

Regardless your opinion on before vs now - he's killing it now and that's what's important and I think we can all agree on that.

 

[Knight76]

then how did he get selected to play for QLD ? and in his last year with the Knights play for Australia?

First Origin played on the wing and scored a hat trick maybe?? But really just had to catch the ball and put it down. Then media start talking him up and snowballs from there.

 

[perverse]

The biggest change in his game has been defence. In his last season with us he was an absolute turnstile at times but now i never worry about him missing a tackle

I think the main factors in that are twofold. One on one his extra bulkiness and strength is certainly helping with his defence... but there's another factor at play that isn't really his fault. In his previous stint with us - we were constantly backpeddling and being dominated up the middle - as well as often having our defensive structures completely collapse inside him. Aku copped a lot of criticism on the back of the exact same failures further in (not that he was a gun defender either, but was made to look even worse by the ineptitude on the inside).

I would lose count of the number of times Gags and/or Aku would be presented with 3 on 2s, 2 on 1s, 4 on 2s against them and morons in the forum would blow up because they didn't shut it down. Sure, they got some wrong and/or missed tackles off their own bat too occasionally... but when the team inside you is a bumbling mess - it's difficult as an outside back to compensate for it in defense.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

So our NSW Cup side just flogged Wests 30-6 aswell lol

 

[ryan.a87]

So our NSW Cup side just flogged Wests 30-6 aswell lol

Any idea how we can watch highlights to see how Eddie went?

 

[The Axe of Druss]

I think the main factors in that are twofold. One on one his extra bulkiness and strength is certainly helping with his defence... but there's another factor at play that isn't really his fault. In his previous stint with us - we were constantly backpeddling and being dominated up the middle - as well as often having our defensive structures completely collapse inside him. Aku copped a lot of criticism on the back of the exact same failures further in (not that he was a gun defender either, but was made to look even worse by the ineptitude on the inside).

I would lose count of the number of times Gags and/or Aku would be presented with 3 on 2s, 2 on 1s, 4 on 2s against them and morons in the forum would blow up because they didn't shut it down. Sure, they got some wrong and/or missed tackles off their own bat too occasionally... but when the team inside you is a bumbling mess - it's difficult as an outside back to compensate for it in defense.

That only accounts for him misreading or being out of position. Doesnt account for the straight up arm grabs he was known for during that time though

Hes 100% added bulk AND fixed his technique which is very pleasing to see. We have the defencive coaches at Souths to thank

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Any idea how we can watch highlights to see how Eddie went?

Highlights will probably be up on the nswrl.com.au page tomorrow hopefully

 

[perverse]

That only accounts for him misreading or being out of position. Doesnt account for the straight up arm grabs he was known for during that time though

Hes 100% added bulk AND fixed his technique which is very pleasing to see. We have the defencive coaches at Souths to thank

I don't know why I bother with these sorts of conversations anymore. People have their minds made up. I'm not going to change yours, and we all have selective memory. You missed my point - that he was "known for" (by those not paying enough attention, imo) being a worse defender than he actually was due to being in the team he was in. Sure, he missed some tackles and let in some tries - all outside backs do - but his reputation was unfairly earned in my opinion.

That's the last I'll say on it, because I find these conversations so banal and pointless. I don't know why I bothered to chip into it. I'll try sticking to talking about what we have now, not what we had 5 years ago.

 

[Joel-22]

I don't know why I bother with these sorts of conversations anymore. People have their minds made up. I'm not going to change yours, and we all have selective memory. You missed my point - that he was "known for" (by those not paying enough attention, imo) being a worse defender than he actually was due to being in the team he was in. Sure, he missed some tackles and let in some tries - all outside backs do - but his reputation was unfairly earned in my opinion.

That's the last I'll say on it, because I find these conversations so banal and pointless. I don't know why I bothered to chip into it. I'll try sticking to talking about what we have now, not what we had 5 years ago.

In the spirit of sticking to what we have now, anyone think Hunt and/or Lee can force their way into our 17? I think either of them could come in at the expense of Enari.

 

[Jono078]

Tuala has been quiet for mine but hasn't put a foot wrong.

I think Lee and Hunt come in for him if 100% fit and at their previous top form.

EDIT: I also think Bradman could benefit having a confident Lee outside of him.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

Gags had a commitment issue.
I remember him saying that the Knights should take credit for him getting of games all night and giving him purpose.
I reckon that attitude of taking it a bit easy was still partly there.
He has matured now and a change of club lifted him up.

 

[perverse]

Tuala has been quiet for mine but hasn't put a foot wrong.

I think Lee and Hunt come in for him if 100% fit and at their previous top form.

EDIT: I also think Bradman could benefit having a confident Lee outside of him.

Well at their previous top form are the key words for mine. I would make them earn their spots back whilstever the blokes already in place are doing their jobs.

 

[Sir Galahad]

In the spirit of sticking to what we have now, anyone think Hunt and/or Lee can force their way into our 17? I think either of them could come in at the expense of Enari.

our 2 best wingers are in the team IMO.

 

[slotmachine]

Lee might take tualas spot but if he only has 40 minutes of reserve grade in him at the moment that won't be for a while.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

I can see a case for Hunt coming back in soon but Lee needs 5-6 reserve grade games under his belt imo before he should be considered. He’s a good winger but hasn’t played in 18 months so needs time to get match fit.

Also while Tuala and Young are performing I think they deserve to keep their spots.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

I don't know why I bother with these sorts of conversations anymore. People have their minds made up. I'm not going to change yours, and we all have selective memory. You missed my point - that he was "known for" (by those not paying enough attention, imo) being a worse defender than he actually was due to being in the team he was in. Sure, he missed some tackles and let in some tries - all outside backs do - but his reputation was unfairly earned in my opinion.

That's the last I'll say on it, because I find these conversations so banal and pointless. I don't know why I bothered to chip into it. I'll try sticking to talking about what we have now, not what we had 5 years ago.

Mate, ive agreed with like 90% of what you said and personally remember some really lazy arm tackles hence the 10% im disagreeing with.

Nothing to do with "people having their minds made up" or "not paying attention", just good old fashioned observation

 

[Mr_Knightside]

After watching the AOB presser it seems like there were several players including Mann and Barnett who were nursing injuries and didn’t train during the week. If that is the case then it makes this win even more impressive. If someone had told me that we’d win by 22 points with our whole starting front row + Ponga missing then I wouldn’t have believed it.

I know the Tigers were terrible but how often do we seem to get dragged into a dirty dogfight with teams in this situation and often we lose in a rather embarrassing and error strewn way. It was good to see us strangle them out of the game and keep the foot on the throat.

Hoy wasn’t great but at least didn’t make any serious errors. He threw a couple of questionable passes, one of which was rightfully called forward, but at least he caught the ball every time it came his way. He still doesn’t threaten at all with the ball in hand though. I believe if KP was playing we would have scored another 3-4 tries and looked a lot better in attack.

Aside from that, good win and great to bag the 2 points.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Any idea how we can watch highlights to see how Eddie went?

Knights v Magpies NSW Cup Highlights Round 2

The Newcastle Knights come away with their first win of the season after defeating the Western Suburbs Magpies in round 2 of the Knock-On Effect NSW Cup.

www.nswrl.com.au