As a long time supporter of the knights and a person very frustrated by the off season I put a bit of thought into how I see it for next year. Feel free to comment agree / disagree or ignore.
Cheers,
The Team Id be picking
1 Kurt Gidley
Our best player without a doubt. Still a few elements of his game that can be worked on;
- Being safer under the high ball
- General positioning could improve for last plays in both attack and defence close to the line.
- Not saying hes bad at these but probably where he is slightly shaded by a couple of opposition FBs and I think well see these come with another season as a fullback.
- Learning to be a captain (hasnt been tested at it yet and well see how he handles it over a season)
If our halves can improve on last year and in particular J Mullen he will be a very dangerous option when he chimes in. Make or break year if hes going to hold Brett Stewart off for the NSW origin FB and challenge Slater for the Aus spot. Likely to be a utility regardless but Id rather see him get a shot in the one position.
2 James McManus
I really rated him coming through the juniors and have been mostly happy with what he has done for us since coming into First Grade. His defense at most times (has been shaky close to the lone once or twice but how many wingers havent) and ability to shut down dangerous plays has been a highlight, which in itself is probably my biggest disappointment. Kick returns are good as far as power is concerned and I havent ever seen him pushed backwards I just always thought that he had a bit more speed and ability to beat a man with a change of direction in the juniors than Ive seen in FG. I know he has dropped a little bulk for this season and if he can develop a bit more in the attacking department Id be happy to lock him in for a long stay in the side.
3 Junior Sau
There hasnt really been any talk of it but I worry about his weight if he happened to have an injury layoff at some stage. If he can keep the weight off his chunky build and maintain his acceleration then hell keep a spot in the side. If he can learn to pass left, right and offload he could be our next international. Probably still a couple of seasons off his best so hopefully the rest of the side can support him and help him learn the ropes because on last years form hes the best center we have already.
4 Adam Macdougall
If we sign him he needs to be in the side. I dont think we have any other centers that can break the line on their own. Not anywhere near the player he was 5 years ago but still a solid first grader with experience and will pull out a few standout moments while teaching a Lulia or other up and comer a thing or two about determination close to the line.
5 Wes Naquama -
Has had his ups and downs and probably still hasnt recovered from the knee injury fully enough to have shown us everything he has. Will be a leader and a defensive rock but hasnt shown enough ability to catch a pressure pass when hitting a gap or broken the line with any regularity as a centre. Until he gets the zip back hes a winger as far as Im concerned and under pressure from Vuna, Uate and L Macdougal who all have him for speed and excitement.
6 Jared Mullen
Has all the skills but hasnt put them together consistently yet. With Buderus gone his time is now. If he doesnt become the superstar we all hope for this year I dont think he ever will. He will easily be a first grader for as long as he wants to play but sometimes he just seems to put too much pressure on himself (or is it because there still isnt enough support or consistency in his halves partner?) Great speed, vision, pass, Kicking ability and seems to be a smart guy. Will be a star in our side this year for at least half the games he plays in and will need to take more responsibility for the big plays to progress further.
7 Scott Dureau
Hard not to like him because he really has a go and seems a good organizer but he hasnt shown enough yet to keep Luke Walsh out if he gets another chance. Needs to take on the line more often and find his short runners every now and then to add a bit of the unpredictable and danger thats been missing from his attack. Good luck to him if hes good enough to hold down his position this year with at least solid performances then hell be good enough for what we need. If he under performs then someone else will get a go. The good news is we will find our halfback solution this year it will be either Dureau, Walsh or theyll both be gone and a purchase for 2010 announced before the season is out.
8 Dan Tolar
Tough and some skill even if he does seem a bit on the small side for a starting prop. Did the job for us last year, even when injured and needs to do it again. I dont think he will let us down but would feel better if there was someone else good enough to push him back to the bench. We seem to have too many impact props and Tolars body is paying for it. His skill set used to have us considering him as a 13 so if the rest of our pack can help shoulder the workload and rotation keeps him a bit fresher he may really shine and surprise a few people.
9 Isaac De Gois
Not sure if hes going to get the chance to play an 80 minute game each week and not really sure what hes going to bring that Buderus didnt. An emerging player that Im hoping will take advantage of the two referees policing the ruck and make inroads through the middle that buderus was starting to drop off on. If he can develop a stronger and more creative passing game on the run Id love to see our backrowers running off him in second phase and hope that well have a new tough as teak danger man in the middle with plenty of tomorrows.
10 Ben Cross
Doesnt ever shirk the hard stuff and gad some good stats when fit. Big enough to bring back memories of Chief if he puts in at the start of the match and really singles out the oppositions props. To win over the doubters he has to be our go to man whenever were on the back foot - Simmo has been that for too long. If Cross can make sure he doesnt get dominated due to poor body height in the tackle hell be the key to our season because its the only thing holding him back. Has developed a risky offload when going backwards but needs to keep it in his game for the second phase play it brings when it comes off and might stop as many defenders being able to commit to him. If the bodys good and the club comes before rep concerns at least initially he will make us proud.
11 Steve Simpson
Hopefully last season is just what he needed. It has been encouraging to see Simmo get an off season under his belt and I think we now have the support and depth in the back row for simmo to come into his own as a wide runner again. Hopefully the legs still have the speed required. In tight to start the match with his defence and strong hitups a rest through the middle of the half and then on the fringes either side of half time should be the aim. This season will decide whether he plays out his career as a backrower or frontrower. No doubt he will be captain if anything happens to Gidley.
12 Cory Paterson
His days of being an unknown are over and the time has come for him to put the attack and defense together. With the pack of versatile hard running forwards we now have and the fact he showed us he can hit hard last year means that if he backs the defensive workload off a little this year it should be able to come together nicely. It could be a blessing that his attack wasnt on song last year because it kept his profile down a bit and he learned he could contribute and build respect with other deeds. Has the world at his feet and is the perfect player for our team at the moment. Will not reach his peak until his body hardens up a bit more than it was last year but his peak should coincide with the what the team is building up to in the next 2 seasons.
13 Zeb Taia -
Not a Ben Kennedy or even a Billy Peden but hes probably the best man for the job this year. Not as good at hitting holes and holding passes under pressure as Id like and still can miss the odd tackle here and there that he should make. The fact that we have so many attacking and impact options already in the pack mean that a workhorse with the odd good run in him is probably exactly what we need to steady the ship. If there is that last bit of improvement left in him after he played so well last year then hell hold the spot all year.
14 Matt Hilder -
The most enthusiastic and effective defender through the middle well probably ever have. Doesnt necessarily smash anyone but doesnt miss anyone either. Will fill the role of fill in hooker and small backrower in the rotation as required throughout a game -when hes on the field the ruck is super tight. A shame hes not big enough make the lock position his own but there needs to be a place for him in the side every week.
15 Richard Faaoso
If he didnt have feet for hands we would never have been able to afford him - so lets see if he keeps developing that part of his game this year before we worry too much about it. Seems to be our most fearless ball runner and can really keep the leg drive going even when hit by multiple defenders. Can hit a gap and can put on a hit. We need one of either Wicks or Faaoso to stand up as a prop this year and challenge to be a starter, with Richie being just so good at the impact role I hope Wicks rolls the sleeves up so Richie doesnt have to move out of his current role.
16 Danny Wicks
Based on last years performances, weight issues and the hearsay indicating a lack of commitment to training, Danny is lucky to get a start. Purely based on potential and hope that he takes some pride in himself and our team he will get a go at developing into a hard running hard working prop. If he cant play enough minutes with a decent workload and or cant improve lateral defense then Mark T will get a chance and nobody will take that place back if he ever gets established.
17 Chris Houston
A player that tries hard and seems to have all the right ingredients at times but it doesnt come together for him at others. Better suited to being in the starting side but there isnt a spot for him at full strength this year. With some improvement in the power he hits the ball up with due to a decreased workload and a continued focus on staying on side and keeping his hands out of the ruck he has an opportunity to make a claim for a starting spot if anyone goes down or loses form. If this guy is on the bench we have a strong forward pack.
Waiting for a chance
Mark Taufua
Having played against him and been on the end of a few hits when he was playing rugby Ive followed Marks development closely. Im still not sure why hes pegged as a prop as theres a lot more to him than that but it seems his best chance of getting game time. Getting older so needs to find a place in the team. I sense the forwards that dont play much FG this year wont be around next year and hell be trying hard to make sure hes in the first 17 by the end of the year.
Cooper Vuna
Where did the speed go? Hopefully Cooper has lost a bit of weight this year and got some speed back. Needs to have been working hard on defense but I think he can get that under control. The biggest worry is the fact he cant catch a high ball and I dont see that changing this year. Made some outstanding runs last year when he started to run straight and will be first back picked if someone in the starting side goes down. Could get a chance early with Wes being injured but will probably lose the spot at some stage. If Macdougall isnt resigned he will have his chance to develop.
Tim Natusch
May play a game or two but still too far down the pecking order yet. Hopefully a season in the local comp on lesser fields doesnt cause him to get injured or lose interest in working hard.
Marvan Karawana
A gap filler when injurys hit. Doesnt have a role in the team anymore with so many utilities / backrowers and halves that appear to be better than him not sure why we re signed this one.
Akuila Uate
If he ever lives up to the promise hell be the best winger weve ever had. So many elements of his game to be worked on and so many options in front of him so will be interesting to see if and how he can be fitted in. Will get a chance at some stage and hopefully will have improved defense enough by then to demand a longer stay in the top team.
Luke Walsh
Despite his lack of size and disrupted pre season, I cant believe he didnt even get a chance last year. Some elements of his game arent as good as Dureau but if Scott cant learn to take on the line then Luke may take his spot. Not sure if hes our answer but would like to see his game in First Grade at least one more time to decide.
Cameron Ciraldo
A player that probably doesnt do enough work to demand a place in the side. May play a handful of games.
George Ndaira-
Good signing if we still had a Premier League team and could build combinations and learn the clubs style of play for when we need a fill in hooker. Not sure how much game time hell get and where he fits into a full strength side.
Ben Rogers-
You know how there are players that you cant believe made First grade and are glad they arent in your side Well thats Ben Rogers for me. Has played some good games and even against us but hes no starting half in a side thats going to win a comp (then again neither was S Rudder) and with hilder the Bench utility and Ndaira floating around it worrys me that we signed this guy. Unless he somehow turns in a season like John Simon did at Parra hope were good enough that hes not playing for us.
The rest:
There are a few good juniors waiting in the wings but I dont think well see the Stigs, Williamss or Mata utais in 1st Grade this season. Luke Macdougall could come from the clouds but could just as easily get injured at training and retire.
Where will we finish?
Were as well positioned, as any team to take advantage of the probable speeding up of the ruck area and as long as we get off to a good start its someone elses turn to be picked on by the refs. Good enough to make the eight and even push for the title if everything went our way in the back half of the season. Probably a few teams that have more personnel at their peak than us next year (were still 2 season away in my opinion from seeing B Smiths vision (2010))
Id love to say top 4 but Im thinking 6th should be our aim.
Anything else?
Yes;
1.Sign a halfback for 2010 if nobody grabs it next year.
2.Sign a centre for 2010 if nobody grabs it next year
3.Get back in the Premier League ASAP
4.Extend B Smith for 2010 and then a new coach after that (Rip Taylor if available)
Thats probably enough of my opinion From one knights fan to some others - lets just hope it goes well!
