R9 | Sea Eagles 30-10 Knights @ Brookvale | Sunday 2.00pm

[Loose Cannon]

To me our pack is 3 players short of where it needs to be, I think we can all agree right now even at full strength our pack is probably middle of the road at best, we probably need 2 extra guys just to lift the pack to above average, if you factor in losing our best forward as well, we're definitely in some strife if we don't sign anyone

Agreed. A couple of legit props would certainly allow a more balanced bench rotation. It does seem we are heavy on back rowers ( of varying talent) and short up front, leaving guys playing out of their comfort zone.

 

[aqua_duck]

Also there is zero impact at all from our bench

 

[Swarzey]

Feel we need to get Vaivai onto the bench. He isn't going to get much better in NSW Cup and even if he isn't showing great signs straight up in the NRL, with some persistence he'll more likely than not develop into a decent prop. There really isn't a whole lot on the market for 2016 and we need to be wise with our cap, developing players like Vaivai is our best bet.

I think our starting pack is a lot better than we and others give it credit for but our bench is total shit. Zero impact and aside from Stockwell, Houston and Fa'alogo are riddled with errors. Momentum killers.

 

[Misanthrope]

Good to see guys held accountable for their ineptitude. Accountability breeds a competition for places and fosters greater commitment at training.

Well done, Rick.

 

[The Showstopper]

We are damn lucky Snowy wants to play his NRL career out here cos looking at the lack of quality in the off contract props for the next two years he would be in very huge demand. His injuries now healed has really shown just how much he was playing through pain, hence his below par performances for the first 18 months of his second run here. If we lost Snowy we would be f###ed! Again I am glad he has publicly declared to other clubs he has no intention of leaving Newcastle.

 

[Bring it home Knights]

Agreed. A couple of legit props would certainly allow a more balanced bench rotation. It does seem we are heavy on back rowers ( of varying talent) and short up front, leaving guys playing out of their comfort zone.

I'm just trying to get my head around this good backrow you speak of. We have smith who is 35, Rochow who was ordinary last year and Houston. I'm sad to see Scott go because of his defense, but let's be honest, his attack isn't much chop. Tariq is a good player and I've been very very impressed with Stockwell. Stockwell might look like houston, but he actually charges onto the ball and hits hard. Korbin has started to impress me as a prop and that is where he will play his career imo. He also played very well there in the rep game recently.

Long story short, we lack 2 props and 2 good second rowers. Until that changes our forwards and in particular our bench will get dominated.

 

[Loose Cannon]

We are damn lucky Snowy wants to play his NRL career out here cos looking at the lack of quality in the off contract props for the next two years he would be in very huge demand. His injuries now healed has really shown just how much he was playing through pain, hence his below par performances for the first 18 months of his second run here. If we lost Snowy we would be f###ed! Again I am glad he has publicly declared to other clubs he has no intention of leaving Newcastle.

That's a weird thing to do though, from a financial standpoint. Surely the club would offer him unders in that situation.

 

[slotmachine]

It's the knights, no one stays for unders and locals get a tidy bonus.

 

[Johns Magic]

We are damn lucky Snowy wants to play his NRL career out here cos looking at the lack of quality in the off contract props for the next two years he would be in very huge demand. His injuries now healed has really shown just how much he was playing through pain, hence his below par performances for the first 18 months of his second run here. If we lost Snowy we would be f###ed! Again I am glad he has publicly declared to other clubs he has no intention of leaving Newcastle.

Where did he say this?

 

[Loose Cannon]

I'm just trying to get my head around this good backrow you speak of. We have smith who is 35, Rochow who was ordinary last year and Houston. I'm sad to see Scott go because of his defense, but let's be honest, his attack isn't much chop. Tariq is a good player and I've been very very impressed with Stockwell. Stockwell might look like houston, but he actually charges onto the ball and hits hard. Korbin has started to impress me as a prop and that is where he will play his career imo. He also played very well there in the rep game recently.

Long story short, we lack 2 props and 2 good second rowers. Until that changes our forwards and in particular our bench will get dominated.

I disagree entirely on your assessment of Rochow. Sure, we lose Scott, and even Smith when it comes time, but Rochow, Tariq, Korbin (back row), Stockwell (back row) is a fair start IMO. I haven't seen enough of NSW Cup to comment further on who else is coming through, but there seems to be some merit given to Vaivai from others here. Houston doesn't enter my equation at all, nor Fa'alogo.

10 spots to fill.

Snowden
Clydesdale
?
Rochow
Korbin
Tariq

Stockwell
Vaivai
?
Randell

Two props would be the best purchases. Include Smith until he goes. Korbin and Stockwell can play up front only when required to, otherwise I would think they are involved in a back row rotation. Plus, there is a good chance interchanges will be slashed next year.

Sure, more depth is required with injuries bound to occur, but that is true for all clubs.

 

[Allstar Knights]

Korbin has been tried a few times at edge backrow and didn't really impress there - Definitely more of a middle player imo.

I'd like to put him at lock with longer minutes eventually and hope we sign a few decent props.

 

[aqua_duck]

I disagree entirely on your assessment of Rochow. Sure, we lose Scott, and even Smith when it comes time, but Rochow, Tariq, Korbin (back row), Stockwell (back row) is a fair start IMO. I haven't seen enough of NSW Cup to comment further on who else is coming through, but there seems to be some merit given to Vaivai from others here. Houston doesn't enter my equation at all, nor Fa'alogo.

10 spots to fill.

Snowden
Clydesdale
?
Rochow
Korbin
Tariq

Stockwell
Vaivai
?
Randell

Two props would be the best purchases. Include Smith until he goes. Korbin and Stockwell can play up front only when required to, otherwise I would think they are involved in a back row rotation. Plus, there is a good chance interchanges will be slashed next year.

Sure, more depth is required with injuries bound to occur, but that is true for all clubs.

Watching that Samoa Tonga game, I was very impressed with Albert Vete, plays hard and is physically imposing, would love to have a crack at him. Also I reckon by next season Levi will have overtaken Clydsdale and Randell

 

[Yosh]

To be honest, I think our forwards aren't too bad. They aren't the best in the league but Scott is an Aussie rep, Smith doesn't dominate games but he is a big game player (makes that try assist, try saving tackle or scores at the right times), Snowden and the Sims brothers are good good quality players. Tapine and Vai Vai do a decent job when called upon.

The biggest issue is our spine. Our spine is by far the worst in the league. Clydesdale seems like he is trying but isn't anything special at the moment. Imagine we had Bedsy. He'd have our forward rolling easy.

Our halves and fullback have done more to lose games than win them. They make the most crucial errors at the wrong times... Mullen used to be the best kicker in the game plus he had that amazing left to right pass. Now he does nothing...

 

[perverse]

Whoever worked with our halves in the off-season needs a double uppercut.

 

[Whats Doing]

Whoever worked with our halves in the off-season needs a double uppercut.

Time to bring back Joey

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

Joey is a traitor and hates the Knights. f**k him.

 

[Joker's Wild]

and a pretty shit coach. No thanks

 

[Zoidberg]

Saw on NRL360 Mullo is a 50/50 chance of playing because of a toe injury.

 

[EdLondon]

Gagai trained at fullback and Kidley in the halves for Mullen who sat out.

 

[perverse]

Don't tell me the penny has dropped... would love to see Sione run out a centre on the weekend. Perhaps Stoney did some reading online over the break.