Match Discussion: Round 25 vs Souths @ McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

[Knight Tales]

Kyle Turner would be in the prime if his career right now if it was not for that neck injury. He was going to be something very special. Very sad. Boy could play.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

I'm not confident with Clune at 7. Hastings has steadied the ship a lot.

 

[Yosh]

I'm not confident with Clune at 7. Hastings has steadied the ship a lot.

Best option we have though. Better than Crossland to 7 and Mann to 9. I personally think Clune will have a blinder in attack but will miss some crucial tackles in defense.

 

[Woody90]

I'm not confident with Clune at 7. Hastings has steadied the ship a lot.

This. I’m very surprised so many people are saying we won’t miss a beat and it’s a like for like replacement. Our attack is so much better this season and Hastings direction is a major part of that. Our attack looked terrible when he went off last week. Clune has a good kicking game but gave us nothing direction wise last year. His defence is also a bit suspect.

Definitely agree that bringing him in is the better option than moving Crossland or Mann around, but he’s not a like for like replacement for Hastings by any stretch of the imagination.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Won't matter anyway, it'll be the KP show today

 

[Zoidberg]

How’s the weather?

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

How’s the weather?

It's beautiful here on the Central Coast.. Not a cloud in the sky

 

[SamSepi0l]

I'm not confident with Clune at 7. Hastings has steadied the ship a lot.

Yuuppppp. I have no belief in Clune at this level. He'll be defending vs Cody/Latrell too which bodes poorly given he can't defend.

 

[Woody90]

Yuuppppp. I have no belief in Clune at this level. He'll be defending vs Cody/Latrell too which bodes poorly given he can't defend.

It should be Gamble defending their left edge.

I’m a bit more worried re the attack. Hastings isn’t a superstar but he gets our backline into the right positions to do their thing. I’d almost say that Ponga is better than anyone in the Bunnies line up, but that’s only if we can get him into the game in the right positions. Not sure Clune can do that, especially with limited time to build combinations.

 

[mozza91]

We have a NSW Cup halfback (a very good one as well) but so do they. Clune will be fine.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Yuuppppp. I have no belief in Clune at this level. He'll be defending vs Cody/Latrell too which bodes poorly given he can't defend.

He has a tackle efficiency of 88 % in Cup this year.. Not too bad if you ask me. I'm sure he'll hold his own today.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

People are forgetting that Souths have quite possibly the worst halfback in the league in their side

 

[Woody90]

People are forgetting that Souths have quite possibly the worst halfback in the league in their side

He is, but it’s more the loss of combinations I’m concerned about. I don’t think Clune is a terrible player, and tbh I would have kept him as a backup over Cogger, but it’s a big ask to suggest he’ll be able to come in in one week and have the team flowing like it has been.

You need to be good with the ball against Souths and deprive them of possession. Fully fit I think we have the right team to beat them (especially at the moment) but the most important cog has been taken out.

I hope I’m overreacting and Hastings isn’t as crucial to our success as I think he’s been.

 

[Knight Tales]

Hope Clune kills it so the resident naysayers have another corner to talk themselves out of next week.

 

[slotmachine]

Confident Clune will kill it with the ball, less convinced about defensive side of things.

 

[mozza91]

Hope Clune kills it so the resident naysayers have another corner to talk themselves out of next week.

Still got the Saifiti’s, Crossland, Sione Matautia (he doesn’t play for us anymore but a mere mention of his name creates angst among the naysayers)

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

In NSW Cup, we've won 7 of our last 8 games that Clune has played in, including a win against Penrith and 2 wins against the Dogs... We can barely win a game without him.

I think if he's fully fit, he'll go great today.

 

[Allstar Knights]

I think too many people are judging Clune when he was on 1 leg last year. It clearly hindered his performances. I'm confident he can do a job today.

 

[Apey]

How’s the weather?

Hot af and no real wind at the ground. Field looks immaculate today.

 

[perverse]

Still got the Saifiti’s, Crossland, Sione Matautia (he doesn’t play for us anymore but a mere mention of his name creates angst among the naysayers)

Mitchell Pearce still gets a run from time to time rofl