Match Discussion: Round 3 vs Penrith @ Carrington Park

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2022 - Round 3
Penrith Panthers v Newcastle Knights
Carrington Park, Bathurst (TICKETS)
Saturday 26 March 2022

NRL kickoff 3:00pm

1. Dylan Edwards 2. Charlie Staines 3. Izack Tago 4. Stephen Crichton 5. Taylan May 6. Jarome Luai 7. Sean O'Sullivan 8. Matthew Eisenhuth 9. Apisai Koroisau 10. James Fisher-Harris 11. Viliame Kikau 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo
Interchange: 14. Mitch Kenny 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Spencer Leniu 17. Jaeman Salmon 18. J'maine Hopgood 19. Chris Smith 20. Robert Jennings 21. Lindsay Smith 22. Soni Luke 23. Kurt Falls 24. Nathan Cleary

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Enari Tuala 6. Jake Clifford 7. Adam Clune 8. Jacob Saifiti 9. Chris Randall 10. Daniel Saifiti 11. Tyson Frizell 12. Mitchell Barnett 13. Kurt Mann
Interchange: 14. Phoenix Crossland 15. Jirah Momoisea 16. Leo Thompson 17. Mathew Croker 18. Simi Sasagi 19. Tex Hoy 20. Edrick Lee 21. Sauaso Sue 22. Dylan Lucas 23. Brayden Musgrove 24. Jaron Purcell

Referee: Peter Gough
Sideline Officials: Drew Oultram, Nick Beashel
Video Referee: Alan Shortall

- Lower Grades: NSW Cup & Jersey Flegg U21 - Times AEDT
Penrith v Newcastle at Bluebet, Sunday
Flegg 1:00pm / Cup 2:45pm​

 

[Silent Knight]

We’re massive underdogs for this. It doesn’t get any harder than the premiers. Even if Cleary is out their team is still formidable and they will try to strangle the life out of us in defence.

If we’re to beat them, it will be through sustained pressure. Maintain possession, get repeat sets, hit them hard physically and just slowly grind them down.

Even with Ponga I’m skeptical we can break their defence. Us by 4 with only the lowest confidence. Make me believe Newcastle.

 

[Yosh]

Don't know if we will win or lose but we won't get blown off the park, that's for sure.

 

[Burwood]

This is the game where Mann shows Yeo that he’s the new #1 ball playing lock in the NRL.

 

[Burns]

1st v 2nd - who would have thought?

 

[NK Arsenal]

1st v 2nd - who would have thought?

Doesn’t feel like that long ago we were playing in the spoon bowl circa 2015

I think Penrith will get us 1-12. I’m not expecting a win, just hoping to not get blown off the park.

 

[Jono078]

I'm less nervous about this game than I was the Tigers!

Panthers almost dropped the ball against the Dragons who were not good at all..

IF we get Ponga, Klem and Saifiti back then I think the boys will be right up for this and we might just come home with the 2 points and hold onto top spot..

Remember Cleary, To'o and possibly Fisher-Harris are out.

 

[Old dog]

Also no home ground advantage, both teams have to travel

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Panthers with no To'o and possibly JFH and Cleary

Big game, one i have no confidence in us winning but that could just be my long time Knights fan PTSD

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

If we turn up with the same attitude and intensity we had against the Roosters, we win.

 

[ryan.a87]

Expected team?


1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Dominic Young
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Enari Tuala
6. Jake Clifford
7. Adam Clune
8. David Klemmer
9. Chris Randall
10. Daniel Saifiti
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Mitchell Barnett
13. Kurt Mann

Interchange:
14. Phoenix Crossland
15. Jacob Saifiti
16. Leo Thompson
17. Jirah Momoisea

Only surprises I could see is Lee replaces Tuala and maybe Jones or Sue on the bench for Jirah

 

[Knight Tales]

I'm less nervous about this game than I was the Tigers!

Panthers almost dropped the ball against the Dragons who were not good at all..

IF we get Ponga, Klem and Saifiti back then I think the boys will be right up for this and we might just come home with the 2 points and hold onto top spot..

Remember Cleary, To'o and possibly Fisher-Harris are out.

It helps but I personally want them at full strength. Cos those 3 players, fully fit, are arguably the best in the game in their respective positions right now. A win over a side with those three in it is a very different beast for us.

 

[Jono078]

It helps but I personally want them at full strength. Cos those 3 players, fully fit, are arguably the best in the game in their respective positions right now. A win over a side with those three in it is a very different beast for us.

I'd rather that in October

Happy to get our full strength team out there this week and really start shaping our season ahead!

 

[Knight76]

High completions and good kicking game. Defend like we have in both games this year.

Going to have to match their intensity to stay with them.

This game is going to be all about belief.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

I hope we can at least give them a scare. I know we beat the Roosters in round 1 but I can’t see lightning striking twice in 3 weeks. I’m sure we’ll have a go but whether we can match it with the them for the full 80 mins is the big question. Then there’s the fact that they’ve got the best defence in the league and we’re still finding our feet with our new attacking structure.

If we get KP, Klemmer and DSaf back and they have JFH, To’o and Cleary out then we’re a chance but I think Penrith are just too good at winning right now.

Panthers 18
Knights 10

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Clune field goal to win it in Golden Point

 

[Yosh]

I'm going Panthers 12, Knights 10. It'll be a brutal defensive contest, 2 tries a piece but Clifford with an unlucky miss.

 

[Jono078]

I'm going Knights 20-18.

Dom Young with the match winner.

 

[Knight Tales]

Looking forward to seeing how the bench plays after their excellent form from last week. Thompson and Croker in particular if they are named to play. Big challenge this week for them.

 

[PhilGould]

If Saifiti & Klemmer are back I think Croker will miss out for Momoisea or potentially Jones. 3 very good props all capable of playing big minutes and Thompson covering the rest of them, doesn't really make sense to have another specialist middle forward sitting on the bench, as good as he was.

If DSaf or Klemmer still isn't fit then Croker will be straight in, and if both aren't I could actually see him starting over Thompson.