The Knights played two trial games in the space of six days, the first at home against Canterbury and the second on the road against Melbourne.
Though the team emerged with only a draw and a loss to show for their trials, it doesn’t mean Newcastle fans should hit the panic button. In both games the Knights held their own in defence for the most part, and in the case of the Storm game they were unable to take victory in a thriller, with Melbourne managing to run away with the win, and kudos to them.
Deserving of special mention are the Knights halves, Adam Clune and Jake Clifford. They really combined well, Chris Randall and Phoenix Crossland shared the dummy half role well too.
As for Kalyn Ponga, I’m a bit 50-50 for him. I think Ponga was a quiet guy, and chances are he maybe didn’t want to overplay more than he had to. He does have a history of leg injuries.
Kurt Mann has found his home as the starting lock. He showed his playmaking ability and capability to defend against forwards.
Another thing worth mentioning is the young-and-upcoming players in the Newcastle junior ranks. Even though he’s a Canberra junior and Sydney native, prop Leo Thompson looks like a big terrifying monster.
We played well in both games and we have a full season to make improvements. As brutal as this sounds, I stand by saying we are not premiership contenders and won’t be for some time. I could write about how we could win the grand final this year, but I’m not going to write something we all know is rubbish.
Last year we were the second-best attacking side, and that shows exactly how much we need to improve in the attacking department.
Where do I see Newcastle finishing? Anywhere between fifth and eighth.
We have the team and the ability to make the eight, but we have got a lot more work left to do before we can call ourselves premiership contenders. Not to put any pressure on Andrew Johns, but his work with our players has truly shown on the field.
Our first game will be against the Sydney Roosters in the SCG, and it’s a game I’m certainly looking forward to. I can’t wait to see our Knights rip in.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Must be some questions over the Knights pre season conditioning. So many lower leg injuries every year. It was odds on Best or Ponga was gonna get a calf strain and miss round one.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
That high? The knights struggle to score tries. Sure they might get one, or two but their ability to break down opposition defences is meh. The Roosters defend superbly. The knights attack meh-ly. If the knights put on more than their standard 10 points they will have done well. Knights fans don't have panic buttons. We have a misery button, frustration button, lament button, dread button and a multitude of others. I expect to be pushing the get involved Kayln button, enough with the block plays button and typical rubbish Knights button against the chooks
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
Expat, if you go by last year's attacking stats they weren't 2nd they were about 13th you're probably spot on .
Expat
Roar Rookie
I see them finishing between 12 and 15