Here's my synopsis of events today.
Loved seeing the Roosters folk go more quiet than a stunned mullet, once the Knights got into the lead. Even that stupid Roosters mascot with the drum couldn't wreak any havoc on the Knights parade! Even before the Knights scored that first 2nd half try in the 69th minute, I remember saying to myself and to another fellow Knights supporter next to me, "If the Knights just score that ONE try, they'll go on with the job and win. they'll build that momentum". The Roosters were starting to look very flat and pedestrian in the latter stages of the game. It's funny to think that even without our two best starting halves (Mullen and Dureau), we still managed to put on 34 pts (the most we have this year), and those late tries came in very handy, in regards to putting us back into positive for-and-against territory. I hope Mullen and Dureau will come back, so we can move Gidley back to fullback (which gives us an extra attacking option). Kids played well today, but the only thing lacking from the halfback role is kicking. I much prefer Kids at fullback. I must also commend Naiqama today. I thought he played very well in his non-prefered position of fullback today. McManus had a good game today, made a few good busts. Keith Luila played a lot better today, at least he managed to "hold onto the ball". Cross played a lot better than last week (mostly due to match fitness); seemed to take a fair amount of hit-ups today.
I do think the major turning point, which turned out to be the icing on the cake, was that Roosters player who tried to kick for touch, and Wes Naiqama battered it back into the field of play. knights scored off that set of 6, which got them into the lead. Tbh, that's a tactic I'd like to see the Knights do more. Instead of just casually jogging back, actually get into position, so that the opposition (off a penalty) can't try to bite off more metres on the kick, because if he does, then the same situation (like what Naiqama did) will happen. Another tactic the Knights will try is more dummy-half running. The Knights picked up plenty of yardage in the 2nd half, from dummy-half runs, led mainly by Danny Buderus. Another observation: I'm surprised neither team went for 40/20's today. A tad bit dissapointing. As has been demonstrated today, Knights have gotta do away with all those stupid grubber kicks (unless you can actually get it into the ingoal) and go for bombs. Roosters scored their tries from high kicks. On a high kick, there's always a 50/50 chance of getting the ball back. Whenever the Knights put up bombs today, they looked very dangerous. Not only putting up a bomb is good, you've gotta attack as well; don't just stand there and wait for the fullback to take it.
Another woeful display from the ref. Not getting a penalty to the 51st minute was disgraceful. Roosters were consistently offside most of the match, and were holding down for inordinate periods of time. No wonder this is Steve Lyons first match in first grade for about two years, I believe. The only other worse ref is Tony De La Heras. I think Brian Smith should really have a word to ref boss Robert Finch about this, as this is starting to turn into a very untenable situation. Last week, the Broncos also got the rub of the green with the reffing 50/50's
Brian Smith getting angry was pretty funny too (all the "anger management coach award" goes to Craig Bellamy, if there ever was one). I can understand though. Knights improved a lot on last week, but still gotta work on execution and not try to force the outcome, but rather try to play the set as a set of 6, not a set of 3 tackles. Also, another thing they've gotta work on is their kicking game (when Dureau and Mullen are not there)
Adam MacDougall....I'm sorry folks, brilliant 7-8 yrs ago, but he's definitely past it. He's served the club very well, don't get me wrong, and in his prime, was the most damaging backline player (he was a fullback/winger/centre/forward all in one), but as I said earlier, he's had it. That try where the Roosters player jumped infront him, that was extremely poor. Doogs just stood there like the Colossus of Rhodes, not even making an attempt at the ball. And to all those who may be critical of me, in regards to this paragraph, when Doogs plays, I can guarantee you, the opposition will always attack his side of the field, cause they know his defense is pretty hap-hazard.
I don't think I laughed sooooooo hard in my life when I saw Danny Wicks make that fend on Willie Mason, and run 65m to score after the fulltime siren. AHHHAHHA! Neither could the Knights fateful that were surrounding me. Reminds me of a try at the same ground 8 yrs, when Australia took on the NZ Residents. Gorden Tallis made a 90m run, and had like 3 or 4 poor Kiwis riding on his back, but they still couldn't tackle him, and big Gordy scored.
Instead, the only difference is Wicks is bigger than Tallis. Won't be surprised if Big Danny starts to build a bit of a cult status with the Novacastrian folk in the months to come.
