R25 FNF - Wests Tigers v Newcastle

[Timmah]

FRIDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL

WESTS TIGERS v NEWCASTLE
Telstra Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park NSW :: Friday 31 August
Gates open 5:30pm, Premier League 5:30pm
First Grade Kickoff 7:30pm

TV Delayed on Nine, Check Local Guides.
Web LeagueUnlimited LIVE UPDATE.
Radio ABC stream on NRL.com

GET TICKETS HERE.

Paul Simpkins
Sideline Officials: David Abood, Paul Holland
Video Referee: Bill Harrigan

Wests Tigers lineup
1. Brett Hodgson
2. Daniel Fitzhenry, 3. Dean Collis, 4. Paul Whatuira, 5. Taniela Tuiaki
6. John Morris, 7. Benji Marshall
8. Todd Payten, 9. Robbie Farah, 10. Keith Galloway
11. Ben Galea, 12. Chris Heighington
13. Liam Fulton

Int - 14. Chris Lawrence, 15. Dene Halatau, 16. Bryce Gibbs, 17. Ben T'eo

Newcastle Knights lineup
1. Kurt Gidley
2. James McManus, 3. Brad Tighe, 4. George Carmont, 5. Cooper Vuna
6. Chris Bailey, 7. Luke Walsh
8. Josh Perry, 9. Danny Buderus (c), 10. Adam Woolnough
11. Steve Simpson, 12. Daniel Abraham
13. Reegan Tanner

Int - 14. Michael Young, 15. Zeb Taia, 16. Mitchell Sargent, 17. Jesse Royal
18. Cory Paterson
​

LOWER GRADES
PREMIER LEAGUE
Wests Magpies v Newcastle, 5:30pm
Balmain Ryde Eastwood Tigers v Eels, Leichhardt - Sat 5:00pm
JERSEY FLEGG
Wests Magpies v Newcastle, Campbelltown - Fri
Balmain Tigers v Parramatta, Parramatta - Sun 1:10pm

 

[gong_eagle]

Wests Tigers V Knights preview

Wednesday, August 29, 2007
http://nrl.com/News/MatchReports/MatchReportsArticle/tabid/336/NewsId/6810/Default.aspx Ingredients for a great last-round clash: Add one team who needs to win to have a chance at finals football… check.
Add one team who needs to win to have a chance to offload the wooden spoon… check. Stir vigorously and then sit back and watch the fireworks fly!
Motivation for both the Wests Tigers and Newcastle Knights shouldn’t be lacking here. This is do-or-die, win-at-all-costs football – and that means entertainment!
The Tigers have been a real disappointment over the past month – an ‘easy’ draw had them favoured to push into the top four not so long ago but three losses and a sketchy one-point win in their past four games has consigned them to ninth place and the prospect of having to win and rely on other teams to feature in the finals.
Last week’s capitulation to Souths at Leichhardt brought an apology from the coach and despite the fact the Knights enter this clash on the back of seven straight losses and are apparently a club in crisis, the Tigers can ill afford to take them lightly.
Nobody likes a wooden spoon to their name and the Knights are facing their second in three years. While the head space of some Novocastrians is far from ideal at the current time, there is nothing like the threat of the wooden cutlery to clear the noggin.
The game holds extra significance for Ben Galea (Tigers) and Daniel Abraham (Knights) as they play their 150th and 100th games respectively.
Watch out Wests Tigers: Knights lock Reegan Tanner and bench man Jesse Royal could play a little out of character and hunt for the try line themselves in this game. The pair are the only Knights in the match who have yet to register a try in 2007, meaning they are 80 minutes away from the dreaded “nudie run”. Expect to see the pair calling heavily for the ball when the Knights get close to the line!
Watch out Knights: The Tigers aren’t afraid to attack from long range – with 19 tries from over halfway this season they are behind only the Warriors in the NRL for scoring from inside their own half. While most of these come from their own attack Benji Marshall is becoming an expert at picking up loose ball so the Knights need to be vigilant in cover defence as well and trail their own ball carrier at all times in case an error is forced. Again, only the Warriors have scored more tries than the Tigers from turnovers.
Where it will be won: Patience. The Tigers cannot panic despite the fact that everything is on the line. If they force the issue they will invite the Knights into the contest and the last thing the Tigers want is this Knights side, which is seemingly devoid of confidence at the moment, getting a sniff of what would be their first victory in two months.
The Tigers need to control the game from the outset and play disciplined football to keep the Knights in their cavern of uncertainty.
The History: Played 11; Wests Tigers 5, Knights 6. The Tigers won 33-14 in round 13 but it was a game devoid of the Knights’ Origin stars. If you are into reading trends the two teams have gone win/loss against each other for the past seven matches – meaning it’s the Knights’ turn for a win.
Conclusion: The Tigers really should win this game. They are at home and they need to win to have any chance of playing again this season. The fitness of Robbie Farah is questionable and as such the team is struggling but the likes of Marshall and John Morris need to take control of the team and set them on the path to redemption, otherwise this side will be one of the major disappointments of 2007.
Match officials: Referee – Paul Simpkins; Sideline Officials – David Abood & Paul Holland; Video ref – Bill Harrigan.
Televised: Channel Nine – Delayed 9.30pm; Foxsports 3 – Delayed 1.00am.
* Statistics: NRL Stats.

 

[Timmah]

Statistically speaking (from Big League magazine)

Head to head
Overall 11... Newcastle 6-5
Telstra... never met

Last met
Wests Tigers 33-14 at EAS, 2007

Big wins
Wests Tigers 52-12 at Campbelltown, 2003
Newcastle 56-6 at EAS, 2001

Grand Finals
Never met


Betting TAB Sportsbet
Wests Tigers 1.22 Newcastle 4.00

 

[steven_tiger]

Farah and Gibbs both confirmed starters.

Heard rumours Buderus is out, with Simpson making a desicion today.

 

[steven_tiger]

Josh Perry ruled out according to the Radio.

 

[Tipster]

A question of by how much for the Tigers

 

[SCOB]

Has anyone heard if Buderus is out?

I hope the little Shyster is missing. If so the Tiger Stocks go through the roof

 

[steven_tiger]

Now Tighe is apprently out as well... Are the Nukes players trying to get Kirk a run or something?

 

[hybrid_tiger]

$4.00 for the Knights is worth a lazy $20.

 

[Marshall_magic]

A question of by how much for the Tigers

I hope we don't go out there thinking that.

 

[Knights_Premiers]

Tigers 0-0 Knights after 15 minutes

 

[Knights_Premiers]

Wests Tigers 6 T: Morris G: Marshall 1/1
Newcastle 0

21 minutes gone

 

[Dr Crane]

I tipped the Knights, i must be deadset geniused.

 

[gong_eagle]

I tipped the Knights, i must be deadset geniused.

felt sorry for JOE E :lol:

 

[Knights_Premiers]

Try to Marshall, converted by Marshall, Tigers lead 12-0 after 24 minutes

 

[Dr Crane]

felt sorry for JOE E :lol:

I was hoping they might lift in the face of adversity.

I forgot they were a pea-hearted rabble.

 

[gong_eagle]

Tigers are switching on
12 - 0

 

[Dr Crane]

Oh, and i needed to tip a few upsets for a shot at winning my tipping comp.

 

[Knights_Premiers]

Knights completion rate costing them, lead 2-0 in linebreaks but cant capitalise

 

[Misanthrope]

NRL stats paint a deceiving picture. Aside from possession, Newcastle look a better side. More metres, two linebreaks to zero, and less missed tackles. Just can't seem to convert. Penalty count is 7-2