The Newcastle Knights are off the mark in season 2012 and will be looking for their first win at Hunter Stadium this Friday night against the Brisbane Broncos.
In the two premiership games this season the Knights defence has no doubt been a standout. Yes, there were a few moments against Cronulla last Sunday, but overall their defensive effort, especially on their own try line, was brilliant.
The same great defence was on show a fortnight earlier against a Dragons side that was on their game for the season opener.
This Friday night at Hunter Stadium we will see the youthful and very skilful Brisbane Broncos against a Knights side full of attacking power out wide matched with a re-invented defensive forward pack.
Since the Johns era, Newcastle’s attitude has been that if you score three tries we will score five. That attitude may still be there, but since Wayne Bennett has taken over, a more steely defensive line has been presented by the red and blue.
It is only early days in the 2012 NRL season, but the question of how far the Knights defence has come could be answered on Friday night.
The loss of captain Kurt Gidley will no doubt hamper the Knights attack, but Bennett has proved over the years that defence is the key to success. Danny Buderus improved 100 percent in Round 2 against the Sharks, as did Kade Snowden and Adam Cuthbertson.
The Knights will have to be on their game to contain Broncos young guns Josh Hoffman, Jack Read, Josh McGuire and Corey Norman – and don’t forget Justin Hodges, who has shown good form in his opening two games this season.
A positive for the Knights is that Brisbane can be vulnerable up the middle; Cowboys pair Thurston and Bowen found them out a number of times last week. Buderus is the master of picking when to run from dummy half, so look out for him linking up with Mullen and Boyd when the Broncos forwards get tired.
It is only Round 3 but already this game could be a pivotal moment for the Knights season. A win without skipper Gidley would give the boys a lot of confidence for the rest of the season.
In saying that, a loss will not be the end of the world, as there is still a lot of footy to be played between now and the first weekend in October.
Shark67
Guest
It's only round 2, and I don't think you can really take all those stats into account just yet. But from being at the games this season there is already a major improvement compared to last season in defense so I agree. If you were at the game in round 1 you would have noticed a great effort in defense especially on there goal line I
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
The Sharks made at least 6 line breaks against Sir Lancelot's men,and only dropped ball or bad options prevented them from leading by at least 20 nil.
Pete75
Guest
As a side note, does anyone wear a cap worse than Wayne Bennett?
Gaz
Guest
Don't tell Tinkler!
ScottWoodward.me
Roar Guru
Paul, Before you start calling them the "Defensive Knights" they need to do an about face from what we have seen in Rounds 1 and 2 as to date they are: 14th for Missed Tackles, Last in Offloads Conceded, 14th for Line Breaks Conceded, 13th for Line Breaks Made and 14th for Tackle Breaks Made. Most unlike a Bennett coached team.
Pete75
Guest
It'll be awesome once Bennett gets around to every club in the comp. Then nobody will attack. Ever.
Dan
Guest
Go those knights!! -- Comment left via The Roar's iPhone app. Download The Roar's iPhone App in the App Store here.