Match Discussion: Round 4 vs Dragons @ McDonald Jones Stadium

[League Unlimited News]

NRL 2019 - Round 4
Newcastle Knights v St George Illawarra Dragons
McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton (TICKETS)
Sunday 7 April 2019

Gates 3:45pm / Canterbury Cup 3:55pm / NRL 6:10pm

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Edrick Lee 3. Hymel Hunt 4. Jesse Ramien 5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall 6. Mason Lino 7. Mitchell Pearce 8. David Klemmer 9. Danny Levi 10. Tim Glasby 11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon 12. Sione Mata'utia 13. Mitchell Barnett
Interchange: 14. Kurt Mann 15. Aidan Guerra 16. Daniel Saifiti 17. Josh King 18. Herman Ese'ese 19. Brodie Jones 20. Jamie Buhrer 21. Tautau Moga

1. Matthew Dufty 2. Jordan Pereira 3. Euan Aitken 4. Timoteo Lafai 5. Mikaele Ravalawa 6. Corey Norman 7. Ben Hunt 8. James Graham 9. Cameron McInnes 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Jacob Host 12. Tariq Sims 13. Blake Lawrie
Interchange: 14. Jeremy Latimore 15. Zac Lomax 16. Korbin Sims 17. Luciano Leilua 18. Tyson Frizell 19. Mitchell Allgood 20. Jai Field 21. Jonus Pearson

Referees: Matt Cecchin, Adam Cassidy
Sideline Officials: Nick Beashel, Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Video Referees: Jared Maxwell, Beau Scott

Feeder club info
Knights feeder clubs: Newcastle Knights (NSWRL: Canterbury Cup, U20 Jersey Flegg, U18 SG Ball Cup, U16 Harold Matthews Cup)
Dragons feeder clubs: St George Illawarra (NSWRL: Canterbury Cup, U20 Jersey Flegg); St George Dragons (NSWRL: U18 SG Ball Cup, U16 Harold Matthews Cup); Illawarra Steelers (NSWRL: U18 SG Ball Cup, U16 Harold Matthews Cup)
Draws available at http://leagueunlimited.com/quick-links​​​

 

[Zoidberg]

This game is the least confident I’ve been so far this year. Not because of the dragons but of how we played last week. Hopefully it was a 1 off and we can come into this with the right attitude.

 

[ryan.a87]

With Ponga moving to fullback and Widdop being out, I think our chances are a bit better than what most of us are expecting.

Hopefully dsaf is back and Guerra starts as well

 

[Zoidberg]

https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/04/01...ial&utm_campaign=NetworkContent&sf210222280=1

Ponga says he is moving back to fullback

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

I can't see Lino getting in if Watson is out Lino has little under his belt and didn't even make reserves.

 

[Yosh]

Yay!

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Lino to debut at 6

 

[slotmachine]

Good move. He'll add something different.

 

[Knight Vision]

good luck to the fella, hope he smashes it.

If Lino does good it will be interesting what happens to Watson, So far his recruitment hasnt turned out well. Kid cant make it onto the filed without getting hurt

 

[Mr_Knightside]

I think this is the right move, Lino has a decent kicking game and is more of a true playmaker which should make him a good side kick to Pearce and allow Ponga to float around in attack.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Looks like D. Saf could be back too

Squad v Dragons:

1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Edrick Lee
3. Hymel Hunt
4. Jesse Ramien
5. Shaun Kenny-Dowall
6. Mason Lino
7. Mitchell Pearce
8. David Klemmer
9. Danny Levi
10. Tim Glasby
11. Lachlan Fitzgibbon
12. Sione Mata'utia
13. Mitch Barnett

Interchange:

14. Kurt Mann
15. Aidan Guerra
16. Daniel Saifiti
17. Josh King

18. Herman Ese'ese
19. Brodie Jones
20. Jamie Buhrer
21. Tautau Moga

 

[Silent Knight]

Mostly happy with the team but I would have swapped Sione with Guerra and King with Ese'ese. I'm sad about Herman because I want him to be a long-term Knight but if he keeps getting picked behind scrubs like King I fear we'll only end up losing him.

 

[slotmachine]

I'd be packing my bags for NZ if I was herman.

 

[Pedge1971]

Yep. At his worst Ese ese still shits on Josh King.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

Gavet sternum injury but likely to be back soon.
I picked up that we have been focusing on what we do off the ball during the week - getting players into position to do something. We lost opportunities because of lack of position.
Pearce is to take more control and the desire is for him to not get caught up and to take the 5th tackle option.
Lino to play, basically, a catch and pass game but with the ability to make plays.
Ponga mainly down the left side.
Most of this was covered in the team announcement.

 

[Knight76]

Yep. At his worst Ese ese still shits on Josh King.

I have no understanding why, but Brown seems to have a boner for King. The guy offers nothing.

Herman may not be ready for NRL at the moment due to personal reasons and that is why King is there.

Wouldn't surprise me to see Herman released from club in the next week or two.

 

[Knight Vision]

Normally I'm not too fussed who the coach picks but.......Josh King? WTF . We start the match a man down. Herman is in reserves so he is able to play, just dont get how on earth King is in the side over Herman.

Guerra has to start.

 

[Bring it home Knights]

There must be something going on that us fans aren't aware of. Ese'ese definitely should be in the team in front of King.

 

[Spot On]

Ese and Guerra.

Does not add up.

Such an interesting game this w/e.

 

[Knight Vision]

There must be something going on that us fans aren't aware of. Ese'ese definitely should be in the team in front of King.

Has to be, it just doesnt make sense.

Hermans 1 game - https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/newcastle-knights/herman-eseese/

Kings 1 game - https://www.newcastleknights.com.au/teams/telstra-premiership/newcastle-knights/josh-king/