Rumoured Targets 3

[Yosh]

Was watching Gagai with a keen eye tonight and saw some promising stuff. Didn't have much opportunity but was by far their best outside back. Even though he was clearly outmatched by Mitchell, he kept coming again and again. Did not look like he was on the best of terms with Latrell either. I'm happy enough to have Gagai be our right centre for the next 2 to 3 years.

 

[Spot On]

Was watching Gagai with a keen eye tonight and saw some promising stuff. Didn't have much opportunity but was by far their best outside back. Even though he was clearly outmatched by Mitchell, he kept coming again and again. Did not look like he was on the best of terms with Latrell either. I'm happy enough to have Gagai be our right centre for the next 2 to 3 years.

Gags is the only player in 71 years to let his opposition winger scored 6 tries around him at NRL level.

Not sure if your keen eye was closed Yosh or you had the Knights goggles on last night but guess who has missed the most tackles in this year's Origin series after 2 games?

Missed his first four attempts last night. Simply pathetic at rep level.

He claimed his pathetic performance in Game 1 'where he was owned by Latrell Mitchell' (https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/06/22/gagai-keen-to-make-amends-after-latrell-battle/) was due to his prep being ruined by three days in hospital.

We'll wait and see what happened to his prep before this game. Hamstring issues??

At least you'll know what to expect should Newcastle feel his defence will help sure up our problems.

 

[Yosh]

Gags is the only player in 71 years to let his opposition winger scored 6 tries around him at NRL level.

Not sure if your keen eye was closed Yosh or you had the Knights goggles on last night but guess who has missed the most tackles in this year's Origin series after 2 games?

Missed his first four attempts last night. Simply pathetic at rep level.

He claimed his pathetic performance in Game 1 'where he was owned by Latrell Mitchell' (https://www.nrl.com/news/2021/06/22/gagai-keen-to-make-amends-after-latrell-battle/) was due to his prep being ruined by three days in hospital.

We'll wait and see what happened to his prep before this game. Hamstring issues??

At least you'll know what to expect should Newcastle feel his defence will help sure up our problems.

He did get pwned by Latrell but who wouldn't have? I was looking more at it from an effort point of view. He didn't let his head drop but kept going right till the end. I think that sort of mentality is what we want from a senior player signing.

 

[Knight Tales]

It’s a no for me on Gagai after last night. He clearly has not learnt to better himself defensively. He is also way too emotionally charged as a player. He is easily prone to being baited and we saw it in all of it’s
Glory last night. NSW sledged shit out of Qld. Mercilessly. I wished they had miked Chrichton last night cos every time he opened his mouth there was nearly a blue. It was glorious. Their arrogance is coming full circle. We could equal or surpass their record . They seem, for now at least, to have no legitimate depth at all.
Grant and KP are their hope. Munster totally disinterested this year. His form drop has been alarming.

 

[perverse]

This Origin series has probably (or should have) halved his asking price on the open market. Cheers, Lattrell.

 

[aqua_duck]

Was watching Gagai with a keen eye tonight and saw some promising stuff. Didn't have much opportunity but was by far their best outside back. Even though he was clearly outmatched by Mitchell, he kept coming again and again. Did not look like he was on the best of terms with Latrell either. I'm happy enough to have Gagai be our right centre for the next 2 to 3 years.

The Gagai you saw last night and this year is the best version you'll see, in 3 years time he'll be 33-34 years old, I don't see many 33-34 year old outside backs not named Morris killing it at the moment.
I look at Gagai's overall game and skillset and can see a likely significant drop off in a year or 2 when he is a yard or 2 slower.

 

[alexwilliams_66692007]

Was Gagai even playing last night??

 

[aqua_duck]

Was Gagai even playing last night??

Yes he was the bloke Latrell was having his way with

 

[Zoidberg]

Their arrogance is coming full circle. We could equal or surpass their record .

*From a QLDer.
Talking about QLD arrogance then about NSW winning 8+ series in a row…after winning 1.

 

[Knight Tales]

*From a QLDer.
Talking about QLD arrogance then about NSW winning 8+ series in a row…after winning 1.

My post was about the ambition. Not a prediction.

 

[Zoidberg]

My post was about the ambition. Not a prediction.

Well I’m sure it’s everyone’s ambition to win.
As much as I enjoyed QLDs run of wins, I think Origin is at its best when it’s competitive. Whoever wins it needs to be closer than this series so far.

 

[macavity]

Well I’m sure it’s everyone’s ambition to win.
As much as I enjoyed QLDs run of wins, I think Origin is at its best when it’s competitive. Whoever wins it needs to be closer than this series so far.

we would quite enjoy absolutely pounding QLD every year after their carry on over the past decade.

 

[Mr_Knightside]

Well I’m sure it’s everyone’s ambition to win.
As much as I enjoyed QLDs run of wins, I think Origin is at its best when it’s competitive. Whoever wins it needs to be closer than this series so far.

Origin is definitely at its best when it’s competitive and even when QLD were dominant almost all of those series were quite close, most of them went to a decider and quite often the whole series would be decided on a couple of big plays usually from JT, Slater, Smith et al.

That being said I’ve enjoyed watching the Blues dish out a couple of thrashings in QLD given how hard it usually is to win there. I’m sure next year will be a lot closer but I’m going to enjoy any success the Blues have whether it’s one sided or not.

 

[Yosh]

Origin is definitely at its best when it’s competitive and even when QLD were dominant almost all of those series were quite close, most of them went to a decider and quite often the whole series would be decided on a couple of big plays usually from JT, Slater, Smith et al.

That being said I’ve enjoyed watching the Blues dish out a couple of thrashings in QLD given how hard it usually is to win there. I’m sure next year will be a lot closer but I’m going to enjoy any success the Blues have whether it’s one sided or not.

Origin is definitely a ton better when it's competitive. No doubt about.

So I want 2-3 more 3-0 wins for NSW and then I want to see the spine of Walsh, Ponga, Walker and Grant to make it competitive.

 

[Knight Tales]

Well I’m sure it’s everyone’s ambition to win.
As much as I enjoyed QLDs run of wins, I think Origin is at its best when it’s competitive. Whoever wins it needs to be closer than this series so far

I honestly think it is a record which will stay mate. Smith, Slater, JT and Cronk is a spine which will likely never be equalled.
Surely it is Walsh, KP, Walker and Grant as their spine with Munster lock next season. All of a sudden you have a cracking origin series.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

*From a QLDer.
Talking about QLD arrogance then about NSW winning 8+ series in a row…after winning 1.

To be fair, NSW has won 3 from the last 4 series mate with a fairly sizable * over last year

Nothings been done yet but with the age of this playing group and their total dominance of Qld this year, its really not much of a stretch to suggest it.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

we would quite enjoy absolutely pounding QLD every year after their carry on over the past decade.

100% this. As a NSWelshman living in Brisbane i would love nothing better than to dominate the scum for years to come just so they can have a taste of what its like on the other side. Would be interesting to see just how strong this "Qld Origin spirit" is after a few years of losses. Im betting its not as resilient as advertised

 

[Zoidberg]

we would quite enjoy absolutely pounding QLD every year after their carry on over the past decade.

I guess I don’t see it that way being a QLDer. The carry on. Maybe also because being a Newcastle supporter I’ve been quickly brought back down to earth.

To be fair, NSW has won 3 from the last 4 series

I’m surprised this hasn’t been mentioned more. I see more evidence in NSW dominance through that stat than the 76-6 score line of this series.

 

[PhilGould]

KNIGHTS TARGET OFF-CONTRACT DUO

The Newcastle Knights are firmly in the hunt for off-contract pair Dale Finucane and Dane Gagai.

The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie reported on The Big Sports Breakfast that the Storm forward and the Rabbitohs centre are in talks with the Knights.

“There are talks that are ongoing regarding Dane Gagai and Dale Finucane,” Ritchie said on Sky Sports Radio.

“The Knights are in chats with the pair regarding next season given they are both off-contract.

“The Storm desperately want to retain Finucane and are working exceptionally hard to try and find a way to keep him inside that crammed salary cap down there in Melbourne.

“South Sydney are also hoping to retain Dane Gagai, but they also have a heavy roster out there at Redfern.

“Finucane seems like he has been around forever, but he is only 29 and Gagai is only 30, so both those players you would think have another two, three, four years left in them.”

Laurie Daley believes Finucane would be an ideal fit for the Knights.

“He brings great leadership on and off the field,” Daley said.

“For a struggling club and the Knights have got some good young players in their system that is who they need to see.

“They need to see the experienced player and what a professional looks like and they can aspire to be like them.”


O’BRIEN DESPERATE TO KEEP BRODIE

Wide World of Sports reported Adam O’Brien is a big fan of the 23-year-old and sees him as a long-term player at Newcastle.

It has been an up and down roller coaster in 2021 for the Newcastle Knights, mainly due to the constant injuries to their star players.

An unfortunate ankle injury to Knights’ representative star Tyson Frizell, has opened the door for local junior-Brodie Jones to increase his role at the Knights.

WWOS reported that speculation has begun that a number of NRL rivals are keen to sign the breakout star, but Newcastle have made him a priority.

Jones who has been one of Knights’ most consistent performers in 2021 and has scored three tries in 14 games.

It was in the Round 15 clash between the Knights and Warriors, where Newcastle had a late reshuffle due to the late withdrawals of both Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best.

Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien slotted Jones into the centres with the youngster showing his versatility, finishing the match with 107 running metres and a crucial try in the corner to secure the win for the Knights.

Cowboys enter Finucane race; Knights’ muscle in with Origin double play: Transfer Whispers

Cowboys enter Finucane race; Knights’ muscle in with Origin double play: Transfer Whispers

www.foxsports.com.au

 

[Knight Tales]

KNIGHTS TARGET OFF-CONTRACT DUO

The Newcastle Knights are firmly in the hunt for off-contract pair Dale Finucane and Dane Gagai.

The Daily Telegraph’s Dean Ritchie reported on The Big Sports Breakfast that the Storm forward and the Rabbitohs centre are in talks with the Knights.

“There are talks that are ongoing regarding Dane Gagai and Dale Finucane,” Ritchie said on Sky Sports Radio.

“The Knights are in chats with the pair regarding next season given they are both off-contract.

“The Storm desperately want to retain Finucane and are working exceptionally hard to try and find a way to keep him inside that crammed salary cap down there in Melbourne.

“South Sydney are also hoping to retain Dane Gagai, but they also have a heavy roster out there at Redfern.

“Finucane seems like he has been around forever, but he is only 29 and Gagai is only 30, so both those players you would think have another two, three, four years left in them.”

Laurie Daley believes Finucane would be an ideal fit for the Knights.

“He brings great leadership on and off the field,” Daley said.

“For a struggling club and the Knights have got some good young players in their system that is who they need to see.

“They need to see the experienced player and what a professional looks like and they can aspire to be like them.”


O’BRIEN DESPERATE TO KEEP BRODIE

Wide World of Sports reported Adam O’Brien is a big fan of the 23-year-old and sees him as a long-term player at Newcastle.

It has been an up and down roller coaster in 2021 for the Newcastle Knights, mainly due to the constant injuries to their star players.

An unfortunate ankle injury to Knights’ representative star Tyson Frizell, has opened the door for local junior-Brodie Jones to increase his role at the Knights.

WWOS reported that speculation has begun that a number of NRL rivals are keen to sign the breakout star, but Newcastle have made him a priority.

Jones who has been one of Knights’ most consistent performers in 2021 and has scored three tries in 14 games.

It was in the Round 15 clash between the Knights and Warriors, where Newcastle had a late reshuffle due to the late withdrawals of both Kalyn Ponga and Bradman Best.

Newcastle coach Adam O'Brien slotted Jones into the centres with the youngster showing his versatility, finishing the match with 107 running metres and a crucial try in the corner to secure the win for the Knights.

Cowboys enter Finucane race; Knights’ muscle in with Origin double play: Transfer Whispers

Cowboys enter Finucane race; Knights’ muscle in with Origin double play: Transfer Whispers

www.foxsports.com.au

Our middle will be hard to go through but if we are going this route we need a centre with attacking punch, cos Finucane is not going to terrorise the fringes is he! Had we secured Staggs’ signature the I would have no reservation about Finucane. The issues around our edge attack is not being fixed with Gagai.