Round 1 Vs Canberra - Your Thoughts?

[Bicey_18]

Feel free to discuss

 

[Bicey_18]

I'll have a first crack I guess....

I think this is going to be a tricky first clash, its hard to figure out what is going to happen given the changes we have gone through with our new rosters etc. Canberra's away record is less than convincing but have basically the same roster as last year so gelling wont be a problem.

Depending who will start for us I think we can get home. In front of a big home crowd hopefully we should be too good. Be a good game though, cant wait.

My Side Vs Canberra

1. Gidley
2. L MacDougall
3. A MacDougall
4. Naiqama
5. McManus
6. Mullen
7. Dureau
8. Royal
9. Buderus
10. White
11. Houston
12. Paterson
13. Simpson

14. Wicks
15. Fa'aso
16. Hilder
17. Taia

 

[roopy]

If the McDougalls get in it will be on reputation. I thought Luke McDougall was outplayed by Matty Cooper last night, and that was Matt's first game in the seniors ever.

 

[Karmawave]

I've no idea what the team will be, but I know that the Raiders cannot be taken lightly.

Having said that, we wouldn't get a better team to try and win our first game of the season against - on our home turf no less.

If we cannot beat the Raiders on our home ground to open the season, its not panic buttons, but its not a good sign either.

 

[Bicey_18]

Canberra are tricky because you dont really know what to expect from them... have a good young side and can play some top footy but on the other side can be ordinary, especially away from home.

 

[Yosh]

1. Kids
2. Lil Doogs
3. McManus
4. Wes
5. Vuna
6. Mullen
7. Dureau
8.
9. Bedsy
10.
11. Houston
12. Pato
13. Simmo

Dont konw who is injured out of the props and stuff... I think something like that will come out to play

 

[Frederick]

Kidley
L. MacDougall
McManus
Naiqama
Vuna
Mullen
Dureau
Royal
Bedsy
Tolar
Houston
Paterson
Simpson

Wicks
Fa'aoso
Hilder
Taia/Taufua

 

[Raider_69]

Not too many good looking packs being thrown out around here... Canberra should win the battle up front. Some suspect defenders out wide too for the knights. But then again we're not exactly defensive specialist

a real good opening game for both sides imo. Both could be justified in going in confident but not too confident to under estimate the opposition.

 

[Frederick]

Yeah unfortunately we're going to be missing Cross and Sargent for the first few weeks of the season, so we're going to get a bit stretched in the prop department

 

[Bicey_18]

Canberra should win up front no doubt... we have our 2nd choice front row on display for the first few rounds.. just hope our boys do a good job for us which im sure they will

 

[strewth_mate]

YARRR WE'LL SMASH THE FARKERS!!!!1111ONE!SIN(X)/X :crazy:

*ahem*

Should be a good game really. Usually pretty wary of Canberra in the regular season, so can't imagine what either side will bring straight out of the off-season.

I have a feeling it'll probably be a case of which side can get away with the most arse in their play. It'd be a shame though if it's decided by lax defense and mistakes, I want to see something at least slightly cohesive from both teams because I'm also rather excited about Canberra this year. Whatever happens I don't imagine it'll be an indication of much other than a shaking of the cobwebs.

My fence-sitting prediction is that neither team will play as they look on paper - but I can't tell which team that benefits more. I'll put down Newcastle to get up in a strangely low-scoring affair.

 

[roopy]

I've been saying for a while that we will start the season pretty slowly and build up combinations etc.
Smith looks to be going for a strong defensive outfit i think, and the big task will be to keep the points down.
Pato could be the big casualty there. He does look out of favour and i think that is because he has never worked the house down in defence.

In the backs i think kidley and Jimmy are the only certainties, and the other three will be our best 3 defenders - which could rule out Vuna and Doogs and maybe give some longshots a run.

Halves of Mullo and Bailey, only because that is our best defensive combination.

 

[otori]

Well seeing as everyone else is putting in their two bobs worth for the team here's mine:
1. Gidley
2. McManus
3. A. McDougall
4. Naiqama
5. Vuna
6. Bailey
7. Mullen
8. Tolar
9. Bedsy
10. Royal
11. Taia
12. Houston
13. Simpson

14. Hilder
15. Paterson
16. Fa'asao
17. Wicks

 

[Pika]

Royal would have been ahead of Sarg even if fit.

Cross is the only man missing from whatever pack plays.

I disagree that the pack is not looking good. We are a big man down, that is for sure, but our back three is Patterson, Houston and Simpson, and lets not forget Bederus at hooker.

Bederus, Patterson and Simpson need no justification. Houston has been great preseason. As darkness mentioned in another thread, he was the stand out on Saturday night.

Our impact off the bench is sharp as well. Faas has been terrific so far, and Danny Wicks has a lot to proove.

Add into the rotation either White or Tolar as our long minute prop....

Not bad in my opinion.

 

[~knights~]

Pika will Sarge be right to play in 2 weeks???

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

If we werent @ home we would get down but hopefully running out to a home crowd should be enough to get the job done.

Raiders always start very hot....

 

[Pika]

No idea mate.

He has not had a gallop outside of the treadmill as far as I know.

If he has, it was late last week, which means he is a few weeks away from any kind of fitness.

 

[Karmawave]

Houston has been great preseason. As darkness mentioned in another thread, he was the stand out on Saturday night.

I'm really excited about Houston. I liked some of the things he was doing last year for the Dragons and he has a huge amount of ability and skill. I believe he has the chance to be the years best buy for the Knights.

( Someone mark down this post for proof I CAN show optimism :lol: )

 

[macavity]

1. Kids
2. Aku
3. Jimmy
4. Wes
5. Vuna

6. Mullo
7. Scotty

8. Royal
9. Bedsy
10. Rich

11. Pato
12. Houston
13 Simmo

14 Bailey
15 Wicks
16 Tolar
17 Taufua

 

[Pika]

Huge bench.