Following a comeback draw against Penrith, Newcastle have got three massive games in succession to play.
First they’re up against premiership favourites Canberra, their next stop is against Melbourne, before finishing up against Brisbane.
Before I go on to that, I want to give a massive congratulations to the Knights for their amazing comeback against the Panthers.
They were down 14-0 and clawed back to 14-all without Mitchell Pearce and Connor Watson. Both teams had their chances to take the win but failed to deliver.
That is the old-school Knights mentality, the mentality that built our proud club.
The Knights’ next match is against a Canberra side that are hungrier than ever after falling short in last year’s grand final. Having put Melbourne to the sword, the Raiders are red-hot favourites.
For Newcastle to win, Pearce needs to take control and be the general who leads his troops. Pearce and Kalyn Ponga’s combination is a crucial element and the immaculate defence Newcastle showed against the Panthers needs to go up a notch.
Mitchell Pearce of the Knights (Photo by Jason McCawley/Getty Images)
For Newcastle to stamp their claim as potential 2020 premiers, it’s vital they win two of their next three matches.
I’ll split last year’s and this year’s Newcastle in their opening three bouts;
Newcastle in 2020
Two wins and a draw
76 points scored and 38 conceded
14 tries scored and six conceded
Newcastle in 2019
One win and two losses
38 points scored and 41 conceded
6 tries and six conceded
A slight improvement in defence and massive in offence but at the same time, it’s vital that Newcastle don’t simply lay back.
If you want something, you don’t wait for it to come to you, you set yourself up to take the thing at all costs. Good things don’t happen for those who wait, it happens for those who go and get it.
Newcastle want to be in the top eight, but so does every other team, whih means the red and blue have to prove their worth.
And these next three matches are vital.
The old-school Knights are back and the glory days are set to return to the Hunter.
Muzz
Guest
I found myself cheering for these pack of carn' ts on the weekend.
MadgicSH
Roar Rookie
My memory of Edrick Lee is of a guy at GIO stadium holding up a picture of a bus; the sign said "the only thing Edrick Lee ever caught!" He was at his fumbling best last weekend/ :laughing:
souvalis
Roar Rookie
A big worry for the Knights is Edrick Lee morphing into Shaun Kenny Dowall. Knights weakness pre season looked like 3, 4 and 6. Bradman and Tex negate that.Gotta like them for Top 8 then anything can happen.
Walter Black
Guest
Looking forward to the Knights v Melbourne game. Should be a good chance to get some points on board going after the tough restart. Souths this week shouldn't be too bad though.
Paul
Roar Guru
"For Newcastle to stamp their claim as potential 2020 premiers, it’s vital they win two of their next three matches." I'm not sure that's the case Adrian. Someone wrote the other day " you don't win a premiership in May" and that probably hold true here. If I was O'Brien, I'd certainly be hoping to win at least 2 games, but I think he'd be far more interested in how the team as whole goes across the 3 games. If they lose close games but don't give up trying, fair dibs, they were beaten by a better team on the day. You said "The old-school Knights are back". Over the next few weeks, your boys need to prove your words are correct. If they show similar application and desire as they did last week, they're certainly a solid chance to win more than they lose.