Match Discussion: Round 26 vs Gold Coast @ McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

[Yosh]

Good result. Fun for maybe 30 minutes. I hate how negative we play. Why not keep the foot on the pedal? Why stop kicking at all on the fifth??? Worse than not contesting kicks.

Didn't really see a bad performer out there. Jones did well filling in. Great try at the end by Leo. Dan was okay but showed why he isn't getting a contract for 800k. Elliot will be a steal if he keeps playing like that on 500k a season.

Ponga was superb again. Just kept demanding the ball all game. Great stuff. Need that again next week.

Thomas Cant looked like a Reegan Tanner but he plays more like Ruben Cotter. Really impressed with him. Deserves his contract extension.

Cogger and Crossland just doing their part and not overplaying their hand. Good to see them defend well and support on line breaks. Brailey is serviceable but would be good to see a bit more creativity in and around the ruck.

Good win. Our finals literally start next week. Hopefully the weather is as good as it was today.

 

[Alex28]

Good result. Fun for maybe 30 minutes. I hate how negative we play. Why not keep the foot on the pedal? Why stop kicking at all on the fifth??? Worse than not contesting kicks.

We keep playing aggressive, get 50 in front but we lose Ponga or Best to injury.

Would that be worth it?

They were happy to not risk anything on the 5th and bury the Titans 90+ metres out from their try line. That far in front - why wouldn’t you?

 

[Lynoman]

My son's first live game in nearly 10 years, has always hated the footy.

You might have made a fan of him. LOVED the game and was so impressed with the guy, he called him Fletch!

Thanks guys, you put in the effort this arvo. And win lose or draw, that's all I ever want from you! Happy father and Knights supporter tonight!

 

[Lynoman]

We keep playing aggressive, get 50 in front but we lose Ponga or Best to injury.

Would that be worth it?

They were happy to not risk anything on the 5th and bury the Titans 90+ metres out from their try line. That far in front - why wouldn’t you?

We had someone behind us, asking why we kept running the ball every 5th tackle in the second half, next play we kick from 30 out, it goes dead for a 7 tackle set. I turned around and said, THAT'S why were running the ball on the 5th!

 

[Alex28]

We had someone behind us, asking why we kept running the ball every 5th tackle in the second half, next play we kick from 30 out, it goes dead for a 7 tackle set. I turned around and said, THAT'S why were running the ball on the 5th!

It’s boring, but it’s the smart play at the time.

 

[Woody90]

Was really happy with the side’s mental fortitude today. No it definitely wasn’t a perfect performance but we saw what the pressure to win did to the Dragons and Donkeys this round but we didn’t choke like some of the others did.

Yes it was just the Titans, but we could have easily capitulated under the pressure but held ourselves together, despite not having some important forwards and odd halves pairing to say the least.

 

[Zoidberg]

Was really happy with the side’s mental fortitude today. No it definitely wasn’t a perfect performance but we saw what the pressure to win did to the Dragons and Donkeys this round but we didn’t choke like some of the others did.

Yes it was just the Titans, but we could have easily capitulated under the pressure but held ourselves together, despite not having some important forwards and odd halves pairing to say the least.

And not taking chances to score in the first half. Luckily it didn’t cause us to go into our shell attacking wise in the 2nd.

 

[Lynoman]

It’s boring, but it’s the smart play at the time.

Do the little things right, will make the hard things easier.

 

[Knight Tales]

With the outs this week we could have a killer bench next week if all are passed fit. It would be tempting given how many points we scored today.
Pryce/Gamble
KPP
Friz
Jacob

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Doubt either KPP or Gamble come back next week

 

[Frederick]

Ponga hasn't brought his kicking boots today

Dunno if anyone addressed this but the wind was f**king strong as today, and spent the whole game swirling around to never favoured either team but made kicking a lottery

 

[Woody90]

Dunno if anyone addressed this but the wind was f**king strong as today, and spent the whole game swirling around to never favoured either team but made kicking a lottery

Yeah I was at the game and in the first half in particular it was crazy, couldn’t really work out if it was going with us or against us though.

Definitely affected both side’s attack in the first half.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

I feel like KP is going to have a brilliant finish to the season.
Us by 22

Got it

 

[Zoidberg]

Strange to hear the boys on Matty Johns show say KP got too involved in the game today.
Criticised for not being involved enough and now he’s too involved. Kid can’t win.
The more the better I say.

 

[mozza91]

Strange to hear the boys on Matty Johns show say KP got too involved in the game today.
Criticised for not being involved enough and now he’s too involved. Kid can’t win.
The more the better I say.

Your don’t get a lot of great insight from Hindy. Good bloke but doesn’t offer a lot on game analysis. He said we are over reliant on Ponga as they were showing our 5 2nd half tries where he wasn’t involved much.

 

[perverse]

Strange to hear the boys on Matty Johns show say KP got too involved in the game today.
Criticised for not being involved enough and now he’s too involved. Kid can’t win.
The more the better I say.

It's garbage, he can't win at this point. He was what we need him to be today. He switched off in the last quarter of the game. I'd like to see him put in 80 minute performances... but he's KP. Capable of anything on his day.

 

[Woody90]

It's garbage, he can't win at this point. He was what we need him to be today. He switched off in the last quarter of the game. I'd like to see him put in 80 minute performances... but he's KP. Capable of anything on his day.

I watched it - they weren’t criticising Ponga. They were more criticising the rest of the squad (particularly the halves) saying we don’t have anything outside of him.

Tbh I thought it was a nice balanced performance for once where KP was definitely involved enough to warrant his pay cheque but at the same time we scored some points as a team away from him.

 

[Knight Tales]

Let me guess. Matt Johns said nothing in our defence? He believes his own press.

There is not one coach in the game who would not centralise their attack around Kalyn. Not one .These guys are completely delusional.

 

[Burwood]

Sounds like the commentary during the game criticising Fafita for having a high workload but little impact and not busting tackles left, right and centre. Only 12 months ago he was criticised for hiding out in the centres and not injecting himself in the game enough.