As we progress into a new era under Adam O’Brien, we still have some who doubt the guy. Do I doubt him?
I’m all for giving a chance and taking a risk. In life, you need to take these risks otherwise you will never accomplish anything. We’ve gone from the team no one wanted to be a part of to the team which has been rebuilt after seemingly being damaged beyond repair.
A lot of things did stuff up our season. That bogus report about Kalyn Ponga wanting $1.5 million a year, Nathan Brown’s unfair dismissal and a constant change in our spine. Our players just let the media get to them.
A lot of things went sour but if there’s anything I have realised it is that when we went on our six match winning streak, we showed what damage we can cause when we’re in the right mindset. Could you imagine if we were like that the whole season? We would easily be in the top four, but sadly life doesn’t work that way.
I get it. Some Knights supporters want Andrew Johns to come out of retirement, but – for real – it won’t happen. I will start believing he will when I see a vampire getting a sun tan.
We can put the blame on a lot of things if we want. We can blame Nathan Tinkler, Wayne Bennett, Michael Hagan and everyone else involved when the club suffered serious damage – but then we’ll be back to square one. All Nathan Brown did would have gone to waste, so let’s put all that behind us. It’s taken me five years to do so but I’d rather it take that long than to still dwell in it.
(Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
We fans did our bit in the rebuild by being there for our team when they needed us the most and we will be there no matter what. Wests Group own the club but the team belongs to us. So many Knights supporters back them through thick and thin – we bleed red and blue and some of us ink it too.
I spent 90 minutes getting the Knights logo tattooed on my right shoulder, but it was worth it. Does this mean I’m the biggest Knights supporter? Yes, but so are the rest of us. We all hold that moniker together, so instead of making our sole claim for it let’s just own it as one.
Let’s celebrate the fact they still exist, because if it wasn’t for Wests we would have folded and would no longer exist. Imagine during the NRL season driving past Marathon and knowing that the team doesn’t exist anymore.
It would be the same as Thin Lizzy when Phil Lynott died. I’m a huge fan of the band, but when Phil passed away he took Thin Lizzy with him – and they were never the same again. I know this season didn’t work out and I know this will sound depressing but I would prefer our team to miss the eight than to not exist at all.
I am finally ready to move on into the next era of our team and I’m sure many other Knights supporters are as well. To those who aren’t ready to move on, I understand – but you can’t change the past. This isn’t Back to the Future.
If my calculations are correct, our time is near.
Diplomatt
Guest
Pure gold Randy! :laughing:
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Maybe it was Disco Des Hasler the Knights should have tapped on the shoulder last year while he was lining up at the dole office. On the bright side , the Eels and Eagles have recovered well from diabolical seasons and the Knights can do the same. Abacad is an unreal song but I can't handle Wally Lewis and the News.
The King of the World
Roar Guru
To me Phil Lynott carried the band till his death. All that aside, Pearce and Ponga really can show what they can do when they click. They just need a constant five-eighth and hooker.
The King of the World
Roar Guru
I’ve seen American Psycho too. Do you like Huey Lewis and the News?
Randy
Roar Rookie
I've been a big Genesis fan ever since the release of their 1980 album, Duke. Before that, I really didn't understand any of their work. Too artsy, too intellectual. It was on Duke where, uh, Phil Collins' presence became more apparent. I think Invisible Touch was the group's undisputed masterpiece.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
"Marty reminded him." ...exactly...Doc Brown didn't know that he had come across 'time travel' until Marty had come from the 'past' to the 'future' to remind Doc of a past (which ONLY occurred when Doc hit his head)....which gave them a look into the 'future'!
The King of the World
Roar Guru
My parents never introduced me to old school music. I learned for myself. My favourite band is Genesis and I’m the only Genesis fan in my family.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
"I hope there’s no hard feelings.." ...NEVER Adrian! .....though I do blame your parents for not introducing you to KC (kidding)!...it's been fun mate! .....please (at least) listen to 'Larks' Tongues...' or 'Red' by KC! :) ....or 'Leftoverture' by Kansas, OR 'One Size Fits All" by Zappa OR..... ;)
Soda
Roar Rookie
In the court of king crimson is a good tune
The King of the World
Roar Guru
Also Doc envisioned the flux capacitor when he fell from the toilet and hit his head by having a vision. Marty reminded him.
The King of the World
Roar Guru
Thank you Chris and I hope there’s no hard feelings. I won’t deny King Crimson have been successful but I can’t get into their music.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
" I am not a King Crimson fan " ...damn you Adrian! (Thanks for your perspective on the Knights Adrian and I hope to read many more of your articles through 2020 and beyond mate!.....you're a good sport with a passion I truly admire!)
Albo
Roar Rookie
Thin Lizzy were finished once Gary Moore left them in '79. Just the name remained with Phil. A bit like the Knights once Joey & Bedsey left ? Just the name still remained in caretaker mode in Newcastle. Pearce & Ponga were to revive the Knights fortunes, but they could only manage half a season this time in . Fingers crossed 2020 sees the return of some passion & commitment or it could be "Still Got the Blues For You", Adrian .
The King of the World
Roar Guru
It wasn’t exactly the end of Thin Lizzy as they still kept going but didn’t have much success, I am not a King Crimson fan and I tried but couldn’t click.
Jacks
Roar Guru
Find it hard to believe he rebuilt the culture after the last few rounds there was no pride at all and seemed like very little connection between the players or the community. His recruitment success if Cronk doesn't come to the Roosters well Pearce isnt at the Knights. Ponga worked out but it was a risky gamble if it back fires what are you saying atm? Klemmer is the best front rower in the game IMO but he shouldn't be at the knights they sought him out and made him ask for a release to join the Knights if the Roosters or Storm or Broncos had done that supporters would have claimed Greenburg wasnt doing his job. But its the Knights so them love able losers its all good. Finally blaming Bennett is and always has been ridiculous, Tinkler sure.
Chris.P.Bacon
Guest
If my calculations are correct, our time is near. ...are you sure about that Adrian? Consider "Back to the Future' (which you quoted). Doc only found out about the flux capacitor by Marty going from the (technical) present....to a (possible) future and advising Doc Brown of a (theoretical) past brought upon by a 'then' (theoretical) future.....leading to a (possible) future....or 'futures'! (quantum mechanics has never been my strength sorry Adrian). My point is this.....When Phil Lynott died was it REALLY the end of Thin Lizzy? As a King Crimson fan I ask ...'Can King Crimson really be the same without Robert Fripp?' My answer would be..... 'of course not' (as Fripp has been the only full time member of KC since its inception). I'm not sure if I made my point clear Adrian BUT what I CAN say is that 'Nat' follows the Bronco's and 'DB' follows the Sharks (so their words shouldn't be taken seriously). :) As a Bulldog's supporter I wish the Knights well...and for them to always finish behind the 'Dogs! I really think that your belief in the Knights is admirable Adrian...I applaud it! Will the Knights surface again?....of course they will!!!....the same as pimples rise when you're ready to ask the girl of your dreams out....dammit! (I've given you a hard time throughout the season mate BUT there's always next year!) ;)
The King of the World
Roar Guru
I always get it mixed up. However, the club was looking for coaches behind his back. That’s how I get it mixed.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Brown wasn’t sacked - he quit. He walked out before the season had finished.
Adam
Roar Guru
No point blaming Tinkler and Bennett now. While they did their damage it was enough years ago that the club needs to move on. And I think that's why Brown was moved on as well. He served his function well, the community is re-engaged and some players even want to go play there now. But he was never willing to be accountable and the form slump at the back end of the season is probably symptomatic of some issues that need to be addressed - from a footballing perspective.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi Dogs. That’s what’s my work mates ask, not the most confident. On paper, they do the bronco’s, after that it all a bonus. Even if the bronco’s win, I am soooo stocked they in the finals from last years spot.