Smith confident loss won't trigger slump
BY ROBERT DILLON
KNIGHTS coach Brian Smith is confident Monday night's 36-10 reality check against North Queensland was an aberration rather than the first signs of a form slump.
Comprehensively outplayed in Townsville, the Knights flew home yesterday to prepare for another daunting assignment, against co-leaders Canterbury at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Sunday.
If Smith was concerned that his young team were in danger of losing momentum, he was not showing it.
Monday's result, he said, was disappointing but no cause for panic, as the Cowboys played their best game of 2009 and Newcastle were below par in a number of areas.
He expected the loss would act as a wake-up call and ensure Newcastle were back on their game on Sunday.
"I'm pretty confident about that," Smith said.
"I think last night we just ran into a team that were in really good form.
"They tackled really well and their key players were outstanding. On top of that, I reckon we had four chances to score and couldn't quite put tries on the board.
"It wasn't like we didn't create any chances, but there are some things there that needed to be sorted out."
Smith said he had spoken to his players about the need to roll up their sleeves and graft when their opposition were "playing tight and tough".
"I thought we let that get to us a bit," Smith said.
"Early in the second half, we were probably guilty of trying to come up with the big play, rather than get in the fight and get back into it by winning the physical battle."
Smith said the Cowboys played at a level "way better than what we've encountered for a number of weeks".
Newcastle's plans of rebounding this week will not be helped by the absence of NSW stars Kurt Gidley and James McManus.
The Bulldogs have only one representative player, Queensland bench forward Ben Hannant.
Gidley will be replaced by mid-season signing Shannon McDonnell, who will make his Knights debut after being released by Wests Tigers three weeks ago.
With McManus out, seasoned utility back Wes Naiqama will make his second NRL appearance of the season on Newcastle's right edge.
Smith was confident that Steve Simpson, who will deputise as Newcastle's skipper on Sunday, and centre Junior Sau would both play, despite suffering ankle injuries on Monday night.
"The doc thinks they're all going to be OK," Smith said.
"They were a little bit worried that Simmo might have fractured it or done some real damage, but it turned out to be a bit like a cork, right down near his ankle.
"He ran pretty freely after that and he's pulled up OK today. Junior's was similar, a big cork right down near his hamstring."
Forwards Zeb Taia and Danny Wicks are also available after the NRL match-review panel opted yesterday not to charge them with any offences.
Both Taia and Wicks were placed on report on Monday night, the former for a high tackle and the latter for using his forearm in a tackle.
Veteran halfback Brett Kimmorley has been named in the Bulldogs line-up, despite being replaced with a badly corked thigh in the opening minutes of last week's win over Melbourne.
* Knights officials have organised a free match-day bus service to transport fans to and from Sunday's match.
Buses will leave from four venues Swansea RSL, the Gunyah Hotel, Cardiff Panthers and Hexham Bowling Club and deliver patrons in time for the kick-off of the National Youth Competition match.
They will leave the stadium 20 minutes after full-time in the NRL fixture.
People interested in a free ride should register at the venue that suits them.
"It's a service we're providing to help make game day a little bit easier for our supporters," Knights corporate and community liaison officer Tony Butterfield said yesterday. "If people patronise it, we'll put more buses on to cover more routes."
Herald
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. The security guards @ the gate did but 
. I do believe that was the last time I come said hi to the Crusaders, f**k I was off-chops 
