Newcastle Knights 2019 Team

[Yosh]

I'm just gonna put it out there but if someone better than Brown comes on the market, do we upgrade?

As much as I support Brown, are there coaches available better than him on the market? I'm still disappointed we haven't seen an increase in Pommies in our side. I thought with Brown we'd be able to bring in a Burgess Mach 2 or something by now. From my understanding, the Pommies don't really make great backs but do make some great forwards. We need an Adrian Morley or two from the UK.

 

[Kray-Z]

I'm just gonna put it out there but if someone better than Brown comes on the market, do we upgrade?

As much as I support Brown, are there coaches available better than him on the market? I'm still disappointed we haven't seen an increase in Pommies in our side. I thought with Brown we'd be able to bring in a Burgess Mach 2 or something by now. From my understanding, the Pommies don't really make great backs but do make some great forwards. We need an Adrian Morley or two from the UK.

Yeh get Hasler.

 

[TooheysNew]

I'm just gonna put it out there but if someone better than Brown comes on the market, do we upgrade?

As much as I support Brown, are there coaches available better than him on the market? I'm still disappointed we haven't seen an increase in Pommies in our side. I thought with Brown we'd be able to bring in a Burgess Mach 2 or something by now. From my understanding, the Pommies don't really make great backs but do make some great forwards. We need an Adrian Morley or two from the UK.

You can't bring players that don't want to come. If you think he hasn't been asking, you're kidding yourself.

 

[Kray-Z]

I’d like to see Wood comeroNewcastle, he’s solid player, and wud fit the knights good.

 

[slotmachine]

if someone better than Brown comes on the market, do we upgrade?

Who are you thinking?

 

[Yosh]

Who are you thinking?

Not sure... Anthony Griffin got a club yet? To be honest, I can't think of anyone who would be a considerable upgrade on Brown...

 

[mozza91]

Brown has until the end of next year. If we continue to improve and make the 8 he gets an extension. If not we look elsewhere. We need to keep Mooney though.

 

[Swarzey]

Next year is certainly the test for Brown. A catastrophic injury toll would be the only thing that would save him if it's an underwhelming year. I don't think there's a better coach - bar Bennett - coming onto the market or even rumoured to be coming onto the market anytime soon; of what's available, I only rate Maguire.

Mooney is a keeper absolutely. Beyond Brown and almost any other player.

 

[Burwood]

I asked Toohey this question on twitter a few weeks back but didn't get a reply- what happens in regards to our football department salary cap if the club ditches Brown? We know that he gets a payout from the club regardless of whether or not the split is amicable, so wouldn't that amount go towards the $5.7million salary cap? I guess with Wests in charge, they don't care about paying a luxury tax if they were to go over the cap.

 

[Knight Vision]

we would be insane to change coach now. We need stability and Brown's far from a disaster.

Considering he started from less than ground zero I think he's been outstanding

If I had a choice between a Premiership in the next 4 years and then return back to the shit of the last 10 years or sustained success for the next 20 years I'll take the later.

It isnt all about just coaching players to improve it's about man management, implementing the right systems, establishing a culture, building a roster and surrounding himself with the right people and I think he ticks all of those boxes so far.

 

[Yosh]

The premature team:

1. Ponga
2. Lee
3. Ramien
4. Mata'utai/Moga
5. Kenny-Dowell

6. Watson
7. Pearce

8. Pangai Jr
9. Griffin
10. Saifiti
11. Fitzgibbon
12. Guerra
13. Ese'ese

14. Levi
15. Glasby
16. Saifiti
17. Barnett

18. Moga/Mata'utai

Not a bad side if we can stay fit. Hopefully that team plays 80% of games and I think we can be top 4 because of Ponga.

 

[Joel-22]

The premature team:

1. Ponga
2. Lee
3. Ramien
4. Mata'utai/Moga
5. Kenny-Dowell

6. Watson
7. Pearce

8. Pangai Jr
9. Griffin
10. Saifiti
11. Fitzgibbon
12. Guerra
13. Ese'ese

14. Levi
15. Glasby
16. Saifiti
17. Barnett

18. Moga/Mata'utai

Not a bad side if we can stay fit. Hopefully that team plays 80% of games and I think we can be top 4 because of Ponga.

Good side.

Moga to jag the centre spot and Sione in for Barnett

 

[Yosh]

I'm so bitter we lost Meaney. If he was staying next year I'd have:

1. Meaney
6. Ponga
7. Pearce
9. Watson

14. Mata'utai

Just to keep Levi out of the side..

 

[Swarzey]

More looking at round 1 next year.

1. Ponga
2. Lee
3. Ramien
4. Moga
5. SKD
6. Watson
7. Pearce
8. D. Saifiti
9. Levi (Unfortunately)
10. Glasby
11. Fitzgibbon
12. Guerra
13. Esse'esse

14. Starling
15. Mata'utia
16. J. Saifiti
17. Saulo

TPJ is far from confirmed and while everything that came out last night might have sounded tremendous and positive, there's still a lot of options for him and reasons for him to go elsewhere. We still lack big bodies on the bench which is going to remain our biggest issue. He wasn't great today, really slow service but I would like to see Starling given the chance again to start next year in the 14 and pressure Levi for the starting jumper. Saulo with a full preseason under his belt in the first grade squad. Daniel replacing his brother if we manage to sign TPJ.

 

[slotmachine]

That side will get brown sacked.

 

[Swarzey]

Yeah I should have put down those other quality players we have signed for 2019.

Oh wait.

 

[Dave_]

There's just no way we can go into 2019 with the current squad. We are not going to have an injury free season so it'll just be more of the same. 7 signings/changes needed.

Barnett, Levi, J.Saf, Starling and Saulo all have potential but aren't First Graders yet...reggies for them. We also have to do better than Glasby as a starting prop...bench for him. Replace all of them. Bring back Griffin, theres your 7.

 

[slotmachine]

Jsaf has either been injured or returning from injury for two years. Story goes the scout went down to watch him play for the entrance and only picked up Dan on a whim, Jacob was by far the better player at that stage and even in 20s.

Could be anything if he had some luck.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

9. Buhrer


I don't care, I've had enough of Levi.

 

[macavity]

Any halves or fullbacks remotely putting their hand up, aside from Meaney who is gone?

I reckon 9 is Connor Watson's natural position.