What could have been this year ........

[Jobdog]

Hey guys, seeing as our season this year has been one we would all rather forget about, I thought I would reflect on the season so far. Even though we are still, in theory, 5 points behind Souths, this year could have been so much different. I know its not much good saying it "could have been", but it really could have. Out of our 16 games we have played so far, in my opinion, there have been just 4 games, where we were not in the match.

Round one, we played the Storm and were comprehensively beaten 48-10. We were never in that match. Round two, we travelled to Canberra and even though beaten 39-14, we were in the match with 20 mins to go, down 20-14. Round three we had the bye and Round for we played the Cowboys and quite honestly, we had our backsides kicked 52-18, by a very good football team. Round 5, was the game where our season hit rock bottom, comprehensively beaten 37-12 by Souths in Gosford. We were never really in that match.

Round 6 we played the Warriors at EAS and looked certainties to open our account for season 2005 when we led 20-0. Then those evil football gods struck us down. In the space of 25 minutes, we went from being on top of the world, when it all came crashing down around us. Firstly Abes broke his leg, then halfway through the second half, Joey broke his jaw before the Warriors rattled home to win 30-26 in an absolute heartbreaker. Round 7 saw us back at home against the Bulldogs and even minus most of our regular first graders, only a Luke Patten trysaver on Trent Salkeld saved his side from defeat as the Dogs snuck home 24-20. Round 8 we played the Raiders and were beaten 14-10, we were in that match as well, but couldnt score points.

Round 9 we went to Aussie Stadium to play the Roosters and at halftime were well in the match at 4-2. We ran out of puff in the second half to go down 32-2. Round 10, even though beaten 32-16 by the Tigers, we were in the match when we trailed 20-16. Lack of conditioning was the determining factor as the Tigers finished stronger. Round 11, in my opinion was the game where we were absolutely robbed. We lost 18-16 on the back of a few, to say the least poor refereeing decisions. Round 13, we led the comp leaders Brisbane 10-0 after 15 minutes and looked very good. Again, we ran out of puff before going down 34-16. Round 14, we were thumped 50-0 by Parramatta. Round 15 we travelled to Brookie and led the second placed Sea Eagles 10-8 at halftime, before going down 48-26.

Round 16 as we all know by now was our first win of the year 28-24 over the Panthers. The boys showed a lot of heart to come back from 14-0 down at halftime and 24-22 with 5 minutes to go. Round 17, we lost 28-14 to the Roosters, minus origin players, but again, we got within 6 and striking distance, before lack of attacking options cost us. Round 18, we came from 18-4 down against the Cowboys before steaming home to win 22-18 running into a gale.

There are my thoughts on the year, with a bit more luck this year, we could have been in a finals-bound position, but alas, its not meant to be. Sorry about the length folks, your thoughts.

 

[antonius]

Nothing wrong with the length of the post Jobdog, it's the type of post most of the footy fans here like to read. I must say reading it does hit homw how close we've been in a lot of games, the over riding theme (especially early on in the season was our poor conditioning. The minute our season went of the rails was definately the Warriors game, we looked to be hitting our straps in that game, and it all fell apart in the blink of an eye, we were exposed then to our weakness minus Johns. Even though we were in a lot of games while he was out, we just didn't have any points in us, we would hammer away at oppositions lines but couldn't get over them. We will come good now he's back, weather that's going to be enough to avoid the dreaded spoon we will have to wait and see.

 

[northey]

i know how long it took you to write this paul.. and it is a good read..
rd 6 was amazing how we lead 20-0... but we lost!!!
we have had many chances and it might be late, but we are starting to win games!

 

[Johns Magic]

I'm just hoping to show some form at the backend of this season and take it into 2006. Which I think we will.

 

[astrogirl]

Nothing wrong with the length of the post Jobdog, it's the type of post most of the footy fans here like to read.

Yep I couldn't agree more.

I also agree that the Souths game at Gosford was the beginning of the slide. The previous games were fair enough. The Storm were red hot earlier in the year, and the Cowboys are a quality side. The Raiders loss was a bit of a concern, but from memory they were playing well as well.

 

[thuganomics]

Nice post Jobdog.

There are many games that we have squandered this year. The most notible was the one against the Raiders at EAS. The week before we played so well agianst the Bulldogs, and the next week we were versing a Raiders side who were missing alot of talent. And we just couldn't put them to the sword.
The Round 11 match agains the Dragons was also dissapointing to lose, as we were in a great position to win.

 

[~bedsy~]

The Bulldogs game was most dissapointing for me because they were so close, yet so far.
Good read.... not long at all.

 

[Baron Vo Mandor]

Nothing wrong with the length of the post Jobdog, it's the type of post most of the footy fans here like to read. I must say reading it does hit homw how close we've been in a lot of games, the over riding theme (especially early on in the season was our poor conditioning. The minute our season went of the rails was definately the Warriors game, we looked to be hitting our straps in that game, and it all fell apart in the blink of an eye, we were exposed then to our weakness minus Johns. Even though we were in a lot of games while he was out, we just didn't have any points in us, we would hammer away at oppositions lines but couldn't get over them. We will come good now he's back, weather that's going to be enough to avoid the dreaded spoon we will have to wait and see.

Yeah Tone, anyone who follows the knights seriously knows what a heart wrenching moment that was I think that it broke the back of many of the boys to see joey go down like that, and it took them ages to recover there fire.

If Joey hadnt of gone down there, even with the other injuries sustained I sincerely believe that we would be contending for finals, I honestly cried when Cooper hobbled to try to get that bloke it was a heartbreaking thing.

Its been a season of dissapointment with few highlights, many would say a year to be forgotten but we've blooded some juniors and are on our way to the club consalidating itself financially and though theres still a lot to be down about I feel that we can approach the future positively.

And its good to see the crowds are still great and even though a couple of seasons will have passed without a top 8 appearance we still have hero's in the knights and current hero's to come.

And best thing that the knights fans are still packing out EAS stadium week in week out.

Go the Knights!

 

[northern knight]

Great post I agree we could be up 4 games and in a position to threaten the 8. Alas it's not to be but if we win all games from now on we will look good for next year.

 

[Alex28]

Nice post mate. I think there are some benefits out of this season - again alot of juniors have had chances in the top grade that wouldn't normally have had a run. We have discovered our long term fullback (with a bit of coaching) and five-eight for the next few years. We have had our weaknesses thrown well and truly in our faces - so much that they can't be ignored anymore and things are happening to fix them.

The way the club has been run - this is the year that had to happen eventually. We have had our fair share of luck and good times - the down time was always going to happen...I just don't think any of us expected that it would happen so full on...

 

[Stuzmeister]

Yeah great post Jobdog. Really puts the whole season into perspective. I agree that the game against the warriors was definately the turning point in the season. Losing after a 20-0 lead and the injury to Joey just killed us. Hopefully we can string a few wins together and get off the bottom. We deserve a bit of luck at some stage.

 

[Doctor]

Nothing wrong with the length of the post Jobdog, it's the type of post most of the footy fans here like to read.

I too don't mind reading long posts, provided they make some important points. It's a good read Jobdog.

I must say reading it does hit home how close we've been in a lot of games

It does, and it's a point some of us made after the opening games of the season. At one stage, someone came up with the stat that if we had won all the games that we had lost by 4 points or less (5 games at the time), we would have been sitting comfortably inside the top 8. Instead we were being spanked by the wooden spoon.

It's a reflection of not having enough fitness to last the distance, arguably a result of poor conditioning. It's normally a factor evident in bigger sides, who have their fleet of big boppers sucking in the big ones by about the 65th minute... and hence are overtaken late in the game, or else lose any opportunity to win late in the game. The trouble is: the Knights are by no means a big side. They're just unfit.

Jobdog's post presents the case nicely. Injuries haven't helped, but neither has a general lack of fitness and ticker. It's only been in the last few games that they've shown an ability to come home strongly. The Cowboys and Panthers games actually proved the Knights do have it in them to keep attacking sides at bay with good defence. Both games involved coming back from reasonable deficits at halftime. Both games were won in the last 10 minutes of the game. Do that for 26 rounds and you're in a far better position to win a premiership.

 

[Jobdog]

Add last night to those games we have been in and quite easily could have won.

 

[Nuke]

That was another heart-breaker for 2005. Add that to those bloody Souths who won another game, and it's starting to look like we'll be getting the wooden spoon. Newcastle fans don't deserve that.

 

[Lu Lu]

That was another heart-breaker for 2005. Add that to those bloody Souths who won another game, and it's starting to look like we'll be getting the wooden spoon. Newcastle fans don't deserve that.

Just on your site lookin at who where gunna take out last weekends loss to Canberra on. Youse all on this thread make me kak myself. Here youse all sit saying good post Job Dog - If we had won all the games we lost by 4 or less points we'd have 4 more wins. Wow!!! That would put you on 16 and still no hope of making the 8. Then What if Parramatta or any other clubs even Souths did the same thing. All the other teams now on 20 and 22 would be closer to 30. I mean face it youse guys. Your team sucks and has the worst possible for and against so dont kid yourselves alright hey.

One thing I do admire about youse Knights supporters is the never say die attitude even when deep down youse all know that the Wooden Spoon is now yours. Well deserved! Must make all the other 17 years of Knights teams and players proud of their 2005 team. All we hear from your camp is poor old Knights.. So many injuries... I cant remember the last time a team with the worlds best player come last in a competition.

Looking forward to putting another 50 in your against column this weekend. Come on down to Parramatta and enjoy the onslaught. hahaha

 

[Parki]

Looking forward to putting another 50 in your against column this weekend. Come on down to Parramatta and enjoy the onslaught. hahaha

just so you know, every idiot thats come in here and started sh*t over the last couple of weeks has had their team smashed to pieces, so by all means, keep it up.. wed like nothing more than to hand losers like you another embarrassing beating like the one that souths gave to you at the start of the year

if i was you, id shut your trap now, before saturday, or you may find a nice surprise waiting for you at 9 30 on saturday night

 

[Jobdog]

Here youse all sit saying good post Job Dog - If we had won all the games we lost by 4 or less points we'd have 4 more wins. Wow!!! That would put you on 16 and still no hope of making the 8.

Well, idiot, if u had of read the WHOLE post, u would have seen that I said we had LOST just FOUR games where we were never in the match. In the other TWELVE, for those of u (like urself) who cant take four away from 16, we have been in a winning position, but injuries and lack of experience have been the deciding factors.

Looking forward to putting another 50 in your against column this weekend. Come on down to Parramatta and enjoy the onslaught. hahaha

Well lets see, the team who got beaten 50-0 compared to the team who will run out on Saturday night will be quite a deal different to the one named when we played u before.

 

[Parki]

its fine, lulu, parramatta will win by 100, and the magical fairies will send you to a grand final win that you have desperately managed to avoid for the last 20 odd years


there, i just put a curse on you, all good things come to those who ask for it....

 

[IanG]

Yeah well everything that could go wrong this season has gone wrong. I think we now know what Souths suupporters have been going through for years.

The one positive for this season is that the younger guys that we've been forced to blood will have first grade experiance under their belt and will be better players for it.

 

[antonius]

I wouldn't worry too much about LuLu eh TLP????