Match Discussion: Round 22 vs Warriors @ Mt Smart Stadium

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2018 - Round 22
Warriors v Newcastle Knights
Mt Smart Stadium, Penrose (TICKETS)
Friday 10 August 2018

NZT - Gates 5:30pm / Womens RL (Warriors v Auckland) 5:45pm / NRL 8pm<br>

AEST - Gates 3:30pm / Womens RL (Warriors v Auckland) 3:45pm / NRL 6pm

1. Roger Tuivasa-sheck 2. David Fusitua 3. Gerard Beale 4. Solomone Kata 5. Ken Maumalo 6. Blake Green 7. Shaun Johnson 8. James Gavet 9. Issac Luke 10. Agnatius Paasi 11. Isaiah Papalii 12. Adam Blair 13. Simon Mannering
Interchange: 14. Jazz Tevaga 15. Leivaha Pulu 16. Bunty Afoa 17. Peta Hiku 18. Anthony Gelling 20. Joseph Vuna 21. Chris Satae 22. Karl Lawton

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Ken Sio 3. Sione Mata'utia 4. Cory Denniss 5. Shaun Kenny-dowall 6. Jack Cogger 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. Herman Ese'ese 9. Danny Levi 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Aidan Guerra
Interchange: 14. Jamie Buhrer 15. Chris Heighington 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Jj Felise 18. Nicholas Meaney 19. Josh King 20. Brock Lamb 21. Luke Yates

Referees: Matt Cecchin, Alan Shortall
Sideline Officials: Belinda Sleeman, Chris McMillan
Video Referees: Luke Patten, Ben Cummins

Feeder clubs
WARRIORS & KNIGHTS (NSWRL)
SAT
Warriors v Knights @ Mt Smart, Flegg 11am AEST / ISP 1pm AEST​

 

[Burns]

Will be ugly.

 

[macavity]

Going to be brutal

 

[Silent Knight]

After our gutless display over the last two weeks, the diminishing respect I have for Nathan Brown and the fact we've allowed Brock Lamb, Jack Cogger and Josh King to have first grade careers at all suggests the Warriors will win by 50 who gives a f*cks.

 

[Haffa]

Rest Ponga.

 

[Old dog]

Silly thing but, yes but, why do we play 1sts in NZ then reserves and U20 play following day in NZ couldn't they have played on one day at one ground, all in together and fans get to see all the squad at once, or have I got it wrong, fans last consideration

 

[Old dog]

Am expecting Ponga, Watson, Pearce to miss out injured, Meaney Cogger and Lamb to fill in, hoping Hughes, SKD, Sione, Sio/Ross in backs. Esee, Levi, DanS, Fitz, Barnett, Guerra is pack, bench Buhrer, JJ, Sualo and Heighinton, I'm allowed to dream

 

[Yosh]

Why am I always get my hopes up... For some weird reason, I think we might sneak a 4 point win. But won't be surprised if we lose by 40.

 

[Zoidberg]

Saw last night Ponga is still favourite to win Dally M medal on Sportsbet. I’d really like to see him play all our remaining games to give him the best chance of winning that. I know he will win 1 or more in the years to come but it would be a great achievement for him personally, especially in a side not making the finals.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Saw last night Ponga is still favourite to win Dally M medal on Sportsbet. I’d really like to see him play all our remaining games to give him the best chance of winning that. I know he will win 1 or more in the years to come but it would be a great achievement for him personally, especially in a side not making the finals.

This would be awesome if it happened, then at the Dally M awards they could cross live to Thurston wiping the egg off his face. This makes me want to see it happen even more!

 

[Burwood]

Ponga a chance to play in the halves this week if Pearce ruled out. Speaks volumes for Brown’s opinion of Lamb that he’d rather move Ponga and slip Meaney- a two game rookie who is leaving the club at year’s end- into fullback.

 

[Still Nutty]

Ponga a chance to play in the halves this week if Pearce ruled out. Speaks volumes for Brown’s opinion of Lamb that he’d rather move Ponga and slip Meaney- a two game rookie who is leaving the club at year’s end- into fullback.

In fairness to Brown...I think that is likely to be the best balance for putting a team on the paddock that can be competitive.

My understanding is that Lamb has been very underwhelming in reggies and I thought Meaney certainly held his own and has shown some really good development, making him not out of place when he has stepped up into FG...and I think the Bulldogs have picked up a bargain by securing his signature. He will be a great asset to them in replacing Mbye.

The other point on this is - is Ponga a better half than Lamb? I can't argue with that, even though he hasn't played there yet

 

[Bring it home Knights]

In fairness to Brown...I think that is likely to be the best balance for putting a team on the paddock that can be competitive.

My understanding is that Lamb has been very underwhelming in reggies and I thought Meaney certainly held his own and has shown some really good development, making him not out of place when he has stepped up into FG...and I think the Bulldogs have picked up a bargain by securing his signature. He will be a great asset to them in replacing Mbye.

The other point on this is - is Ponga a better half than Lamb? I can't argue with that, even though he hasn't played there yet

based on this season, id rate pongas defense at a higher level than Lamb.

 

[slotmachine]

Ponga is an infinitely better defender, Kevin Walters played him in the middle in Origin and he did just fine.

 

[Old dog]

It's not Ponga V Lamb but rather Meaney verse Lamb, if Meaney is better fullback than Lamb is half then you shift Cogger to half, Ponga to 5/8, or Lamb to half and Cogger and Ponga stay in position.
Lamb to half is better option due to less change, better kicking options in general play, Sio not required, and improved goal kicker.
But logic never made a good NRL coach

 

[Old dog]

We are the rank outsiders for this round and even if Ponga, most likely, and Pearce, doubtful, we will remain that, not a game I am confident with

 

[Pedge1971]

We wont win over there and our only remaining chance is Saints on old boys day.

Nothing to do with our form, all to do with theirs....

 

[Burwood]

In fairness to Brown...I think that is likely to be the best balance for putting a team on the paddock that can be competitive.

My understanding is that Lamb has been very underwhelming in reggies and I thought Meaney certainly held his own and has shown some really good development, making him not out of place when he has stepped up into FG...and I think the Bulldogs have picked up a bargain by securing his signature. He will be a great asset to them in replacing Mbye.

The other point on this is - is Ponga a better half than Lamb? I can't argue with that, even though he hasn't played there yet

I’m not saying that I prefer Lamb in the team to Meaney or that he is more deserving- I completely agree with all your points for why Brown might go with that team this week and it would be my preferred lineup.

But it also would have been the perfect opportunity for Brown to slot Lamb straight into the side with minimal disruption. Instead he’s likely to pick a rookie who is leaving the club rather than a specialist halfback with 30-40 games of experience- that is pretty damning for Lamb.

Lamb could have come back into first grade and shown why he deserves a contract for next year. If Pearce is injured this week and Brown still overlooks Lamb, I think it means that he 100% won’t be here next year.

 

[macavity]

Lamb won't be here next year.

 

[mozza91]

After our gutless display over the last two weeks, the diminishing respect I have for Nathan Brown and the fact we've allowed Brock Lamb, Jack Cogger and Josh King to have first grade careers at all suggests the Warriors will win by 50 who gives a f*cks.

Lamb and Cogger aren’t that bad for back up halves. They both have a few strengths and weaknesses but for 3rd and 4th string halves they’re fine. We’re just unlucky that both Pearce and Watson have both missed a
large chunk of games.

King is another story. The fact Yates, Amey and Saulo are playing reggies while that useless prick has guaranteed First Grade spot is criminal.