Opinion
After a fiery start to their season – with the Knights winning their opening two matches with with nine tries to two and 46 points to ten – the Newcastle Knights have suffered their second loss.
That loss takes their record to 2-2, with 66 points and 13 tries both scored and conceded. Their latest loss wasn’t an April Fools joke as they went down 18-0 against Cronulla in the Shire.
From the outset, Cronulla looked red hot and aimed to pick up where they left off. Siosifa Talakai was ruthless towards the Knights’ right-side defence and the Knights did well to hold on for most of the game.
But the Knights not only failed to deliver on their opportunities, at times they looked nowhere near that team who won their opening two games convincingly or even that side that never gave up against Penrith while under-manned after the 32nd minute.
The Shire side played their game and walked away with their well-earned win.
I’m not going to bag my team or give them a Gordon Ramsay-style criticism. I’m pretty disappointed with the performance they displayed. That wasn’t the team I know they can be.
The one thing they can get out of this loss is knowing that’s not how they should be. If that’s the attitude they have, they may be able to turn it around. It’s up to them, not me writing about them or the fans with their criticism.
(Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
I caught the train from Newcastle to Cronulla, watched the game and then caught the the train back. It was fun to be at the game and catch up with some friends and I love watching my team play.
But it feels better to watch them win. I didn’t get home until 2am. Despite the result, I have absolutely no regrets.
The Knights have got a long way to go before the season is done and no matter how good they are, they can always aim to improve, so let’s do so.
The Knights’ players had an off night and that’s no excuse. They need to bounce back and be the team they know they are.
The fans need the Knights’ players to step up and be the best they can be. If the Knights’ players all play to the best of their abilities, the team will play the best they possibly can.
The Knights’ next game is back at home against Manly. Manly are coming off a convincing victory over Canberra.
From the outset, they just looked in control and even though Canberra really fought back, eventually Manly ran away with the win and took their own season to two wins and two losses.
Newcastle may be down on troops but that’s not an excuse. The Knights’ first-choice captain Jayden Brailey won’t be back until mid-season and Newcastle are playing well without him.
I know many Knights fans aren’t happy with the team’s performance and trust me, I’m one of them. But all the online bashing of the Knights’ players is just embarrassing.
I get it, Newcastle can’t win them all and getting shut out is embarrassing. But instead of talking about which players you think are crap, just shut up and let them play.
The Knights’ team needs our support and that’s what we should always display. If one of the Knights’ players has a shocker, which I’m sure even Andrew Johns had in his career, online bashing and being a drama queen isn’t the answer.
Either you keep criticism civil or keep it to yourself.
Newcastle can’t focus on the past anymore because it’s done. Now we focus on the Knights’ next game against Manly and when they play their game with their style, Newcastle can be very deadly.
If Newcastle play their own way, to their rules and with their style, they can get the win.
That’s the Newcastle Knights side myself and every Knights fan wants to see.
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