A lot of Knights fans are asking whether or not we’ll make the eight.
I think we’ll just make it or just miss it. I did say we could make the top four but it’s looking far out of reach. I may have even said Nathan Brown is under the finals or bust situation.
I don’t know whether or not that’s the case and if I’m wrong, I’ll own it and admit it. I’m not a time traveller and I cannot predict the future, if I could I’ll be a billionaire by the end of the year due to the lottery.
A lot of Knights fans are voicing their frustrations after losing to the Tigers. Four losses in a row is a tough pill to swallow particularly when three of them have been at home and after surrendering decent leads.
We can still make the eight but a ruthless all or nothing mindset could make a major difference. That kind of shift really pushes your mentality to a whole new level.
This is Nathan Brown’s first year with an elite force and there’s a lot of work to be done. Could we win the big one this year? Slim chance but I’m not going to bet on it.
If we do, I stand by my word for what I’ll do and every Knights supporter reading this knows what I said I’ll do.
Here’s a message to my fellow supporters. After all the rebuilding, here we stand for our team as we did during those times. We may not be football players but we’re still a part of that team as supporters.
The rebuilding is done and so are the excuses. This year, the idea is to set a platform as I have said before, we could make the eight or miss it but either way, a platform is set.
Just like music, some of the greatest bands of all time weren’t considered such when they began, they earned it with all their work. Always the argument between Queen, The Beatles and Pink Floyd plus Led Zeppelin sometimes get thrown in the mix. They all worked for the success they earned.
All I ask is for you all is to be patient. Rome wasn’t built in a day. It’s like bodybuilders, they weren’t born with all the muscles they got, they trained in the gym, ate the right foods, were patient and very dedicated to accomplish their goal. It takes a very long time.
Take a look at Andrew Johns, he wasn’t born as a world-class footballer, he became that over his career and got better. Kalyn Ponga is a top player and will get better as the years go on. We will make the eight and whether this year or next, it will happen.
Look at some of the elite teams in the NRL like Melbourne, South Sydney and Eastern Suburbs. They built for the success they got to be constantly dominant. It took each team a long time to build success. Some of them raised their players from the get-go and signed others to form the right combinations.
(Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images)
For the Knights, they have a lot of work to do before they’re a threatening force for their next premiership. I want to believe it could happen this year and believe me, I do but in a reality check, there’s a lot more work to do.
We as fans have to wait for the time then that season will come in which we finally win the big one then we can look back on the days of our struggles and our days of building towards the grand final win and say “It was absolutely worth it.”
Our players need their supporters to back them through thick and thin. The only thing stronger than the connection the players have with the supporters and visa versa is the connection the supporters have with each other. We may have a lot of similarities or be polar opposites, but our one common similarity is we are truly dedicated to our Newcastle Knights.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
Thanks for the article Adrian. I know you love your ‘ink’ son but just in case : “Save on your tattoo removal with Newcastle Tattoo Removal's capped pricing. Get picosecond tattoo removal by registered medical experts at an affordable rate!” ........it will be less painful than watching the Knights drop out of finals contention! ;)
Albo
Roar Rookie
Not sure your “key” is the correct one Adrian ? I think the Knights success key is in developing the next set of “Johns brothers” or group of locals to come through the Knights system together up there, rather than trying to import a premiership via overpriced “unwanteds” from other clubs who have no local affinity to the area. Have you spotted the next “Johns brothers” or “Gidley brothers” yet in the Flegg or SG Ball up there as yet ? You had just two locals in your 17 on the weekend in Sione Mata’utia & Daniel Saifiti. Your 1997 premiership winning team had 8 locals and the 2001 team had 9 locals.
Jacks
Roar Guru
Not sure that patience is the key for the Knights. Pearce will be 31 next year and father time is still undefeated. More importantly though is Ponga will have played 2 yrs of first grade for the Knights with no finals games played why doesn't he start looking at Brisbane or the Sydney clubs or even the All black if continual failure is just accepted by the Knights
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately that may be the case :(
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
"That last round will be a doozy....." ....absolutely DPS. The Dragons v Titans to determine the wooden spoon 'winners' perhaps? ;)
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
That last round will be a doozy, I think you are right where the Panther v Knights likely be for a place in the 8. I also see the Rooster v Rabbit deciding if chooks are 3rd or 4th, Eels v Eagles might be determining 5/6th though Manly should be safe in 5, Sharks v Tigers could be for a spot, especially for Sharks and Titans v Dragons might be for the spoon.
BA Sports
Roar Guru
"A lot of Knights fans are asking whether or not we’ll make the eight. I think we’ll just make it or just miss it" hmm... 1 point out of the 8 with 6 rounds to go... Somehow I reckon you might be right... If the Knights had built up from a slow start to finishing 9th, I reckon it would have been acceptable. But to have been entrenched in the Top 6 most of the year and slide out the backdoor, if indeed they miss the 8, won't be acceptable. I can't see Penrith winning more than 3 games to finish the year, so I think Newcastle can get them. It may come down to the last game of the year though. Otherwise, you may go from one shortish balding ex blond headed hooker to another in Toovey as your coach.. You could make an argument that finishing 9th and getting Toovey as coach in 2020 could be better than sneaking in the 8 and retaining Brown...
Emcie
Roar Guru
They've also had a pretty soft draw to get them to where they are now...
The King of the World
Roar Guru
You figured it all out. I’ll pay for the parade in your honour. I’ll try to get Ozzy Osbourne to perform. I don’t think I’ll be able to pay him much but I suppose finding a whole bunch of bars for him to bite their heads off should convince him.
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
Look, we all know that the real way to get the best out of Newcastle is to BRING BACK THE BEARS, right Adrian?
The Barry
Roar Guru
In the Knights favour is they have a relatively soft run home. They don’t play any of the current top four and play three of six against teams not in the eight. But on current form even that looks like it might be a step too far for the Knights. Missing the eight is a substandard result for this side. They’ve got quality and depth in pretty much every position. It’s definitely a top eight roster and they should be challenging for top four. If the Knights miss the eight do they pull the trigger on Brown? Who knows? But if not, when? Do they tolerate another losing season? How many?
Graham Madigan
Guest
The ‘experiment ‘ with Ponga should have happened last year. Two or three games lost there, not to mention the restarting after that. Brown does what he’s told If he didn’t he wouldn’t get paid. A coach needs to live or die by his sword, or (at least), be able to produce one. Don’t blame your players.
Insider
Roar Rookie
The key is a coach, just ask Manly fans
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Three years with the spoon is more than enough patience. Cripes, not even the Titans or Dogs would put up with that - one has already axed their coach and the other is highly on the cards. Newcastle lost 4 games where they should have banked on winning at least 2, possibly 3 and should be sitting on 22/24 points at least, still safe in the 8. Their position is one of their own doing and if they don't make the 8 they need to find another coach. Ramien should have been in reggies 3 weeks ago, he's been a major disappointment.
RandyM
Guest
Sure, patience is a virtue and all that but do you think Brown will keep his job if the Knights miss the finals again? I think the Knights lack a few more classy players to be a contender but they should be in the top 8 mixing it with the Eels and Panthers. Now they've fallen behind.
Graham Madigan
Guest
Don’t drop Ramiren. Get an half who can pass to the right.