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Witt to show no mercy his old club
07:45 AEST Sat Jun 5 2004
Newcastle five-eighth Steve Witt feels sorry for luckless Parramatta but he won't be showing any mercy against his old NRL club at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Saturday night.
Witt, who turns 22 on Thursday, will mark his younger brother Michael for the first time in the siblings' rugby league career.
"There'll be a bit of chit-chat," said Steve, who has been given his chance in first grade for the Knights in the wake of their horrific injury toll.
"We've rung each other up during the week to give a bit of stick.
"There'll be a few stiff arms.
"I don't know whether he's on the same side as me but no doubt we'll lock horns at some stage."
The Eels are desperate for victory after five consecutive losses and a hammering in the media, but history is not on their side.
Parramatta has not triumphed in Newcastle since 1999 and is in the midst of a form slump, conceding almost 30 points per match this season.
Coach Brian Smith brought in a raft of changes for last weekend's match against Wests Tigers but it had little impact as his team crashed 33-6.
Hooker John Morris and halfback Adam Dykes return to first grade while Michael Witt has retained his spot at pivot.
Asked if he felt sorry for his 20-year-old brother and the Eels, Steve Witt replied: "You do a little bit because they've copped some unfair criticism.
"As soon as someone starts losing it always happens.
"All you need is a few wins and it shuts everyone up. Every club goes through it."
The Eels are enduring some tough times but Steve Witt says Newcastle won't be treating them lightly.
"They've got some quality players and if we don't turn up we'll get done," he said.
"Last week we got jumped at the start (a 24-2 halftime deficit against Melbourne) and we don't want that to happen again."
Steve Witt said his younger brother was feeling the pressure to perform after playing a key role for Parramatta last year when thrown into first grade as a teenager.
"There was a lot of talk about why they didn't have him in first grade (this season)," said Steve.
"Now he's broken in, there's pressure to perform so he's feeling the heat a little bit."
Knights coach Michael Hagan will be hoping for better luck than in round three when the Eels beat his side 38-34 at Parramatta Stadium.
It was a horror night for Hagan, who lost star playmaker and skipper Andrew Johns and rookie fullback David Seage with season-ending knee injuries.
©AAP 2004
07:45 AEST Sat Jun 5 2004
Newcastle five-eighth Steve Witt feels sorry for luckless Parramatta but he won't be showing any mercy against his old NRL club at EnergyAustralia Stadium on Saturday night.
Witt, who turns 22 on Thursday, will mark his younger brother Michael for the first time in the siblings' rugby league career.
"There'll be a bit of chit-chat," said Steve, who has been given his chance in first grade for the Knights in the wake of their horrific injury toll.
"We've rung each other up during the week to give a bit of stick.
"There'll be a few stiff arms.
"I don't know whether he's on the same side as me but no doubt we'll lock horns at some stage."
The Eels are desperate for victory after five consecutive losses and a hammering in the media, but history is not on their side.
Parramatta has not triumphed in Newcastle since 1999 and is in the midst of a form slump, conceding almost 30 points per match this season.
Coach Brian Smith brought in a raft of changes for last weekend's match against Wests Tigers but it had little impact as his team crashed 33-6.
Hooker John Morris and halfback Adam Dykes return to first grade while Michael Witt has retained his spot at pivot.
Asked if he felt sorry for his 20-year-old brother and the Eels, Steve Witt replied: "You do a little bit because they've copped some unfair criticism.
"As soon as someone starts losing it always happens.
"All you need is a few wins and it shuts everyone up. Every club goes through it."
The Eels are enduring some tough times but Steve Witt says Newcastle won't be treating them lightly.
"They've got some quality players and if we don't turn up we'll get done," he said.
"Last week we got jumped at the start (a 24-2 halftime deficit against Melbourne) and we don't want that to happen again."
Steve Witt said his younger brother was feeling the pressure to perform after playing a key role for Parramatta last year when thrown into first grade as a teenager.
"There was a lot of talk about why they didn't have him in first grade (this season)," said Steve.
"Now he's broken in, there's pressure to perform so he's feeling the heat a little bit."
Knights coach Michael Hagan will be hoping for better luck than in round three when the Eels beat his side 38-34 at Parramatta Stadium.
It was a horror night for Hagan, who lost star playmaker and skipper Andrew Johns and rookie fullback David Seage with season-ending knee injuries.
©AAP 2004
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