Match Discussion: Round 3 vs Dolphins @ McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2023 - Round 3
Newcastle Knights v Dolphins
McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton, New Lambton (TICKETS)
Friday 17 March 2023

Gates 4:40pm / NRL kickoff 6pm, broadcast live on Fox League & Kayo Sports

1. Lachlan Miller 2. Hymel Hunt 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Dominic Young 6. Tyson Gamble 7. Jackson Hastings 8. Daniel Saifiti 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Jack Hetherington 11. Brodie Jones 12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 13. Leo Thompson 14. Ryan Rivett 15. Mathew Croker 16. Jack Johns 17. Dylan Lucas 18. Enari Tuala 19. Greg Marzhew 20. Oryn Keeley 21. Ben Talty 22. Thomas Cant

1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Euan Aitken 4. Brenko Lee 5. Tesi Niu 6. Isaiya Katoa 7. Sean O'Sullivan 8. Jesse Bromwich 9. Kodi Nikorima 10. Jarrod Wallace 11. Felise Kaufusi 12. Kenny Bromwich 13. Tom Gilbert 14. Connelly Lemuelu 15. Mark Nicholls 16. Ray Stone 17. Kurt Donoghoe 18. Mason Teague 19. Poasa Faamausili 20. JJ Collins 21. Anthony Milford 22. Robert Jennings

Referee: Chris Butler
Sideline Officials: Nick Beashel, Matt Noyen
Video Referee: Ben Cummins


LOWER GRADES:
St Geo Illa v Newcastle^ at Ron Costello Oval, Shellharbour, Sat - Flegg 12:20pm / NSW Cup 2pm

Norths v Redcliffe^ at Bishop, Sun - QLD Cup 2:10pm AEST
Townsville v CQ Capras^ at Jack Manski, Sun - QLD Cup 4pm AEST​

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Dolphins by plenty, assuming Knights can even field a team

 

[mozza91]

If we hold on to the ball we’re a chance. Our squad will definitely have a NSW Cup feel but so does the Dolphins to be honest.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

We fielded the team we had left for a win.
If we can bring the same passion and intent I reckon we can do this.
Should be a big home crowd. They've let the home crowd down before. I hope they don't.
No home losses this year please.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Croker should be back this week shouldn't he?

 

[mozza91]

Croker should be back this week shouldn't he?

Yeah he’s available for selection.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

JMK has been charged with a grade 2 careless contact charge and will be out for 2 games

That balances the Ledger at least a little bit I guess

 

[macavity]

JMK has been charged with a grade 2 careless contact charge and will be out for 2 games

That balances the Ledger at least a little bit I guess

Be interesting to see of Donohoue runs out in the 9. Massive homecoming. We should never have let him go, him and Katoa were the two best on ground in the Flegg GF (that we got robbed in).

 

[PhilGould]

1. Lachie Miller
2. Hymel Hunt
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Dom Young
6. Tyson Gamble
7. Jackson Hastings
8. Daniel Saifiti
9. Phoenix Crossland
10. Jack Hetherington
11. Brodie Jones
12. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
13. Leo Thompson

14. Ryan Rivett
15. Mat Croker
16. Jack Johns
17. Dylan Lucas

18. Enari Tuala
19. Greg Marzhew
20. Oryn Keeley
21. Ben Talty
22. Tom Cant

 

[macavity]

Wow..

 

[PhilGould]

AOB seemed pretty sure than Johns wouldn't be right post-match so wouldn't be surprised if there's more changes. Lucas apparently picked up a hamstring injury in NSW Cup too.

Rivett is an out and out half. Think we'd be better suited with him starting at 6 and using Gamble as the lock/hooker/utility. Would help beef up the bench a bit more too with Hetherington (or Leo) moving back there.

6. Rivett
7. Hastings
8. Saifiti
9. Crossland
10. Thompson
11. Jones unfortunately
12. Fitzgibbon
13. Gamble

14. Croker
15. Hetherington
16. Johns / Talty
17. Lucas / Keeley / Cant

No ideal solution given the circumstances but that looks better to me. Going to need a big game from DSaf regardless.

 

[mozza91]

Pretty grim reading, particularly in the forwards and the interchange.

It’ll be a great effort to get a win on a *brace yourself Obi* short turnaround.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

That's a disgustingly bad bench.. Surely Ben Talty gets a bench spot? What are we going to use Rivett for? Half cover?

 

[macavity]

That's a disgustingly bad bench.. Surely Ben Talty gets a bench spot? What are we going to use Rivett for? Half cover?

must be hooker/utility cover.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

In other news it's Gagai's 150th game for us

 

[Old dog]

Need to put Talty at 13, Thompson up front and Hetherington to bench especially if Johns or Lucas in doubt.
Assume Rivett will play 5/8 relief and Gamble can relieve Crosslands

 

[Jono078]

I reckon it’ll be a record breaking game.

We become the first team the Dolphins out 50 on.

Bennett will have them up for it and show no mercy.

Good lord what a bench, and I’ve seen some bad benches in my days supporting this club!

I wish all the young blokes well.

 

[mozza91]

In other news it's Gagai's 150th game for us

Gonna need a big one from him. He was strong on the weekend.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

Put Best in the fwds

 

[Allstar Knights]

Really need a guy like Marzhew in to take some pressure off the forwards.