Trial 2: Newcastle Knights v Melbourne Storm - Saturday 24th February - Churchill Park Fiji

[Apey]

Didn't Croker cop a high shot in the first trial? Maybe delayed concussion symptoms? Or just given a rest because of the high shot?

Yeah I think he has been excluded for that reason. Didn't he get HIA'd? Not sure how many minutes he played as NRL.com doesn't have the correct minute stats but he was our 3rd highest metre gainer (Fletcher 120m, Sua 118m, Croker 114m) with 1 missed tackle.

 

[Walk On Home Boy]

Have to say, this is the most dynamic and talented roster we've had in years imo. Most of those players should be coming into their best years too. Also the most genuine depth we've had in a long time. Plenty to be hopeful for.

All that said, we'll probably finish 9th or some sh*t.

 

[Yosh]

You guys reckon Su'a will get a run this year? Many Su'ses already in the league, does he have a older brother already playing?

He looked big and aggressive for a young lad and nearly saved a try as well.

 

[Knight Tales]

All I can say with what we displayed in the first trial I hope this club has plan for these kids cos we just put many of them in the shop window. It has a Panthers generation vibe. Hard to say how close to that but a long time since we have seen this here.

 

[perverse]

All I can say with what we displayed in the first trial I hope this club has plan for these kids cos we just put many of them in the shop window. It has a Panthers generation vibe. Hard to say how close to that but a long time since we have seen this here.

That's a big call based on a trial against a sluggish Sharks outfit. I liked what I saw, but I'll need to see a lot more before I'm worried about dynasty building. I do think we've got every opportunity to do well this year. Top 4 should be the target, and Top 8 should never really be in doubt during the season.

 

[Dr Dr Gimedanews]

Maybe I'm just burned from the better part of 2 decades of bog average and false dawns, but it will take a hell of a lot more than a 10 game winning streak to convince me 2024 wont be a return to the usual Knights performances.

Souths, Rorters and Cowboys are teams I doubt will under-perform 2 years running, and will be headed back to top 8.

We lack fire up front to match it with the best teams IMO. The Safs are more likely to kill you with cuddles than scare the opposition.

 

[Black Panther]

The Knights are shot at winning the Pre Season Cup. Good luck.

 

[Black Panther]

Manly won it last year though.

 

[Walk On Home Boy]

That's a big call based on a trial against a sluggish Sharks outfit. I liked what I saw, but I'll need to see a lot more before I'm worried about dynasty building. I do think we've got every opportunity to do well this year. Top 4 should be the target, and Top 8 should never really be in doubt during the season.

I didn't base this on the trial game, just the roster in general has more raw ability and depth than recent years. Not as many plodders and nothing players. There's more creativity there which is great to take some heat off Ponga.

 

[Walk On Home Boy]

Maybe I'm just burned from the better part of 2 decades of bog average and false dawns, but it will take a hell of a lot more than a 10 game winning streak to convince me 2024 wont be a return to the usual Knights performances.

Souths, Rorters and Cowboys are teams I doubt will under-perform 2 years running, and will be headed back to top 8.

We lack fire up front to match it with the best teams IMO. The Safs are more likely to kill you with cuddles than scare the opposition.

I think Storm are a chance to miss the 8 this year though. That roster just doesn't look strong to me anymore.

Agree re Safs. On their best days they're good enough but those are simply too few and far between. Hands like hooves too, especially Dan.

 

[Knight Tales]

I think Storm are a chance to miss the 8 this year though. That roster just doesn't look strong to me anymore.

Agree re Safs. On their best days they're good enough but those are simply too few and far between. Hands like hooves too, especially Dan.

The Storm Will be out to prove something this year. By their standards they had an ordinary season in 2023. They could fall but you’d be very brave to call it outright.

 

[perverse]

I didn't base this on the trial game, just the roster in general has more raw ability and depth than recent years. Not as many plodders and nothing players. There's more creativity there which is great to take some heat off Ponga.

No I agree with you, I'm more saying that we don't have a lot of tangible stuff to go off for the season yet. The roster looks pretty good on paper as long as they build on last year, but that's on paper.

 

[Woody90]

I’d be extremely shocked if the Storm don’t make the top 8. They've consistently proven that it doesn’t matter who’s in the squad, they have the team culture to win more than they lose. They’ll also be desperate to do as well as they can being Bellyache’s last year.

I’d put more money on them making it than us making it, put it that way.

 

[Burwood]

I don’t see how a spine of Paps/Faalogo, Grant, Munster and Hughes can ever miss the 8.

 

[Walk On Home Boy]

No I agree with you, I'm more saying that we don't have a lot of tangible stuff to go off for the season yet. The roster looks pretty good on paper as long as they build on last year, but that's on paper.

Understood and agreed. I pray it's not another false dawn or injury ravaged season. We are due some luck.

 

[Walk On Home Boy]

I don’t see how a spine of Paps/Faalogo, Grant, Munster and Hughes can ever miss the 8.

They probably shouldn't but a few of those players are injury prone and outside of those guys, the squad isn't as strong looking as previous years imo. Munster, Grant and Hughes looked frustrated and lost in a few big games last year. Munster often has bad performances in big matches imo and it gets overlooked.

They should make the 8 but I won't be surprised if they don't tbh.

 

[mozza91]

I don’t see how a spine of Paps/Faalogo, Grant, Munster and Hughes can ever miss the 8.

They’ll make the 8 for sure. I’m expecting Bellamy to work his magic with some of their lesser known forwards as well. Can definitely see them winning the comp this season.

 

[Apey]

Storm will be 5th - 8th I reckon. Then again they were pretty average in 2023 and finished 4th. Really depends if any other teams around that area will be improving.

 

[Old dog]

Am looking for improvers, word is out that a likely contender for a top 4 spot had a strong finish last season, won lots of games in back end of comp, got into semi but didn’t go on. They have recruited well, have a good roster with strength in most position, extended coach contract. Have sources advising me of likely huge improvement this season but source is not giving me more, I guess that’s just good Knight for now

 

[perverse]

Just listening to the pre-game blabber from Ennis and Cronk... it seems like every single media pundit is pushing Coggers wagon - and aggressively. Based off what, 20 minutes in an admittedly big game?

I swear they watch a different sport to me sometimes.