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Why Are Newcastle So Crap?

Woody90

Bench
Messages
3,724
I’m ok with Ponga leaving if there’s any truth to it.

The talk he’s not happy has always been complete BS but I think his first injury this year really affected him physically and mentally. He’s not been the same physically and it’s clearly been effecting him mentally both at club level and QLD. He’s been hiding from contact and you just can’t have that.

When he’s on he’s still one of my favourite players to watch but nowadays he’s either out injured or playing injured and isn’t close to value for money.

He’s always been interested in leaving the code too, even back in his NQ days, and very hard to plan around him when he takes so much $$$$.
 

Nuke

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
5,702
Did you go back to Newcastle Leagues after the game?
I was there with my friends loving it even though none of us were Knights fans. It seemed much bigger than sport at that time.
Knights didn't have a Leagues Club back then (only had one for a couple of years 2000-2002??), but no, I wasn't at the Workers Club that night. I was 16 and although born in Newcastle, was living in Perth (still am!) so at the time didn't know that's where they were going. Saw it on the news for days and clips of it in the nearly-30yrs since, but alas, I was not there. That would have been an epic night. I'm very jealous!
 
Messages
2,547
Ponga f**king off probably wouldn't be the worst result for Newcastle. Yes, losing him and the coach in the one year is going to set them well back....but he is not earning his money for them right now, nowhere near it. He is clearly unhappy, it's reflecting in his form, and that is more or less the end of the discussion. They could sign 3+ quality players they desperately need across the 13 with the coin he is on.
The only way it helps Newcastle is if they can immediately buy a top shelf halfback. Unfortunately none are available until at least 2027 so all it will do is leave a $1.3M hole in the team
 

Fangs

Coach
Messages
17,264
Ponga isn't worth the coin. Question his leadership credentials at the club as well. I'd let him walk and give him a gentle push over the off-season.

Give DCE a 1 year deal. 1 million not a cent over that. Then figure out a recruitment strategy from 2027 onwards.
 

perverse

Referee
Messages
27,320
It does buy paying an emerging talent silly money to switch clubs though.
Which people would slander the club endlessly for, just like they did when we did exactly that with Ponga.

People chastise the club for being shit, but then we do something to try and improve and the general consensus is "no, not like that!!"
 

Wb1234

Immortal
Messages
41,855
It doesn't rain, it pours for those running the Knights -

Wests Newcastle really haven’t adapted to the nrl well despite all their wealth

Should’ve been a slam dunk but a bit like the dolphins ceo they seem a bit backward into adjusting to the big league
 

Wb1234

Immortal
Messages
41,855
Did you go back to Newcastle Leagues after the game?
I was there with my friends loving it even though none of us were Knights fans. It seemed much bigger than sport at that time.
That game is one of my favourite rugby league experiences

To go down the blind side with seconds remaining was gutsy af

Rugby league was dieing during super league. That game and the 95 arl origin series were the only memorable things from that era
 

Woody90

Bench
Messages
3,724
It doesn't rain, it pours for those running the Knights -


Lol attacking the club because they accidentally had an event for a spinal charity the week they were playing the Storm? Jesus, way to overreact to an oversight. Must be Knights hit piece week for the Fox league cronies. At least the Tigers are getting a break.
 

Nuke

Moderator
Staff member
Messages
5,702
It must be a bad week for Newcastle. They actually spoke about the Knights on 100% Footy. 95% of the time they don't even get a mention. Team's going rubbish? That's just par for the course with the Knights. Nothing to see here. Wests, Gold Coast get more of a mention, generally, for being worse, and Penrith (regardless of their form or ladder position), Dogs, Canberra, Melbourne, ect, generally very talked about every week because they're up top. I'm finding it hard to think of any other clubs who get equal or less of a mention week after week than the Knights.
 
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