Why Are Newcastle So Crap?

[Rod]

Most confusing thing about this year is that suddenly we have become error-ridden on top of everything else. Last year we made the 8 based on set completions and low-risk footy. If memory serves we also gave away close to if not the fewest penalties/set restarts in the comp. The problem with that strategy is that it all goes to custard very quickly if you start dropping the ball.

Our defence is actually good and very well organized, that much AOB deserves credit for. Even games where the opposition is clearly on top of us they often struggle to put us away based on our defensive structures. Again though, if you're constantly dropping the ball and handing over good field position it's almost impossible to stop teams from scoring these days.

The other problem is depth. Last couple of years the squad has been deeper and Ponga aside we had a good run with injuries. That is already regressing back to the mean this year with multiple injuries in positions where we were already thin (e.g. prop).

Finally, we're moving on some of the cap deadwood (good) but haven't replaced them with first graders (bad).

 

[mozza91]

Most of the reasons given in this thread explain why haven’t been a top team for years.

The reason we’re so crap this season is because we can’t hold onto the f**king ball.

 

[Captain Apollo]

....

The reason we’re so crap this season is because we can’t hold onto the f**king ball.

Which in turn puts more pressure on the defence, and fatigues the players more quickly, thue leading to them being lethargic in attack and susceptible to blow out scorelines against them. Hard to do those extra effort plays which can make a difference when you're tired.

 

[King-Gutho94]

Most confusing thing about this year is that suddenly we have become error-ridden on top of everything else. Last year we made the 8 based on set completions and low-risk footy. If memory serves we also gave away close to if not the fewest penalties/set restarts in the comp. The problem with that strategy is that it all goes to custard very quickly if you start dropping the ball.

Our defence is actually good and very well organized, that much AOB deserves credit for. Even games where the opposition is clearly on top of us they often struggle to put us away based on our defensive structures. Again though, if you're constantly dropping the ball and handing over good field position it's almost impossible to stop teams from scoring these days.

The other problem is depth. Last couple of years the squad has been deeper and Ponga aside we had a good run with injuries. That is already regressing back to the mean this year with multiple injuries in positions where we were already thin (e.g. prop).

Finally, we're moving on some of the cap deadwood (good) but haven't replaced them with first graders (bad).

Isn't McDermott the defensive coach.

And he arrived at start of 2023 didn't he when it got turned around.

 

[Woody90]

Which in turn puts mor5e pressure on the defence, and fatigues the players more quickly, thuse lkeading to them being lethargic in attack and susceptible to blow out scorelines against them. Hard to do thsoe extra effort plays which can make a difference when you're tired.

It was obvious early on in the season the side was trying to change around the attack after being too conservative in 2024, but they can’t stop dropping the ball so they have to defend non-stop and then can’t even try to attack because the players are zapped. The mass injuries to an already weak forward pack haven’t helped. A few kids in the side at the moment are still a season off realistically.

 

[Gobsmacked]

Mostly just not having genuine footballers, especially in the halves. Big , strong, fit and fast but where is the deception coming from? All the other teams have to do is shut down Kalyn.
They have so much territory to find and develop players so they need to have a good look at their scouting and development.

 

[Fangs]

Least tries scored 2025: Newcastle (42)

Least points scored 2025: Newcastle (237)

They impressively lead both categories by a mile. The Eels rank second for the above: 50 tries scored and 287 points conceded.

Impressive stuff.

 

[Apey]

Least tries scored 2025: Newcastle (42)

Least points scored 2025: Newcastle (237)

They impressively lead both categories by a mile. The Eels rank second for the above: 50 tries scored and 287 points conceded.

Impressive stuff.

We are an engima mate.

On average, per game:

2nd in PCM after Raiders
2nd in tackle breaks after Raiders
2nd in All Run Metres after Dolphins

17th in possession %
1st in Errors
600 more tackles than the next team with 16 games played

Truly insipid attack with top 4 defence - even more impressive given how much ball we give the opposition.

We basically spend games running the ball back, dropping it, then defending our line.

 

[Chins]

We are an engima mate.

On average, per game:

2nd in PCM after Raiders
2nd in tackle breaks after Raiders
2nd in All Run Metres after Dolphins

17th in possession %
1st in Errors
600 more tackles than the next team with 16 games played

Truly insipid attack with top 4 defence - even more impressive given how much ball we give the opposition.

We basically spend games running the ball back, dropping it, then defending our line.

Just need to back Cogger in tbh

 

[James Rick]

Hard to see where the wins come from given the tough draw and without Sharpe and Ponga there is no attacking flair.

 

[Bazal]

I can't help but wonder how @Cutoutpass and his alt feel they compare to the Canberra Raiders

 

[Fangs]

We are an engima mate.

On average, per game:

2nd in PCM after Raiders
2nd in tackle breaks after Raiders
2nd in All Run Metres after Dolphins

17th in possession %
1st in Errors
600 more tackles than the next team with 16 games played

Truly insipid attack with top 4 defence - even more impressive given how much ball we give the opposition.

We basically spend games running the ball back, dropping it, then defending our line.

Something seems to be going right then.

Dbags will sort it out.

 

[The Axe of Druss]

Just need to back Cogger in tbh

Ill personally back him into a truck and drive him to Penrith for you m8

 

[James Rick]

Looking forward to seeing how Hunt goes at fullback.

 

[Fangs]

Newy will easily account for the Storm today. Too much class.

 

[T-Boon]

The Knights needs to take over the Central Coast. Its a great jnr base there and they seem to just gift it to the Sydney Roosters which makes zero sense to this sportsfan.

 

[Vlad59]

Touched up by the Storm today should mean that’s it for the Knights in 2025.

 

[Woody90]

Touched up by the Storm today should mean that’s it for the Knights in 2025.

We’ve been done for about 3 months lol.

 

[Vlad59]

We’ve been done for about 3 months lol.

Yep but that was ugly today. Storm were so so tbh

 

[T-Boon]

a lot of the Knights best players get snapped up by Canberra. The Knights need to expand into the central coast by
a) call the women's team the N-CC Knights and play half their games out of Gosford or Woy Woy.
b) further combine the Newcastle and Central Coast local competition and having the final at Gosford some of the time.
c) Having a Knights academy in Gosford and basically ignore the Roosters existence there.
d) Agitate for Northern NSW to be a separate state to Sydney/Southern NSW and have the capital of this state in Newcastle.
e) and so on and so forth.