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.
mushi
Roar Guru
My view is they just aren't a good team. It's rarely individual effort, and if it is then that's normally indicative of a rubbish culture given they're all doing something they love
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
For some . Adrian needs to toughen up . If they keep playing like that that's the last of their worries .
mushi
Roar Guru
And in current management speak "feedback is a gift" This place is more generous than Oprah Winfrey
Adam
Roar Guru
Leave Brittney alone!
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
You should have a look at youtube titled ''the five levels of stupidity'' King. It explains at least in part what you are dealing with. I sometimes have a look at my clubs supporters forum but it's more to now have a chuckle at some of the dim views expressed. A post before Manly soundly beat the Raiders DECLARED that the Raiders would beat Manly for sure and gave three reasons why. When someone pointed out that he was a bit off the mark he fired back defending his views and somehow then declaring he was in fact correct. These people never change because they have no idea how silly they are. Ironically, it's the most critical who refuse to accept any criticism. Refer to the video because like I was, you are facing a losing battle. Manly by 48 next week.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
No one ever criticizes on this site . It's called negative and positive feedback . :stoked:
Birdy
Roar Rookie
It's not that bad King. The knights supporters are the pride if the league. Look at your main rival pre NRL, Illawarra. They died a nasty death.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Ponga seems to be injury prone for someone so early in his NRL career. I wouldn't be forking out the ludicrous amount being bandied about. That sort of money is for the Turbo's, Tedesco's etc who contribute far more to a game.
EastOfDivide
Guest
The knights have a mountain of injuries at the moment. Plus a suspension. It’s little wonder that their last performance was down. It looks like the same story from the last couple of years for them, with so many injuries. Despite bringing in the Panthers high performance, fitness expert . It’s made no difference to the amount of injuries there. However, it seems to have made an difference to the overall performances of the Knights. As for Ponga? Looks like he’s faking some injuries & just not trying. Off to the Dolphins next season…
Nat
Roar Guru
You made the effort to go. You seen what how they played. You know what was going to be on social media so why read it? Why react to it? Take the good when the win but accept the reaction when they lose.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Fans are getting stuck into Ponga, want more consistent performances befitting his salary. Despite his hobbling around can see their point.. sometimes with all the baggage he has you'd be tempted to let Wayne take him. If Frizelle doesn't play they get smashed by more, he's the real team leader.
andrew
Roar Rookie
Haven't crawled up a wall yet Phil :laughing:
andrew
Roar Rookie
Whether it's your Knights or anyone's team King, all supporters feel the same. It's only when your team doesn't put the effort in that supporters go off and rightly so.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Adrian, you need to get over being upset at criticism of your beloved Newcastle Knights. It's all part of sport fans to dump criticism on teams they think deserve it. Strewth mate, look at what Saints have copped over the last decade. It's enough to make you crawl up a wall being a Saints fan. Footy is part of the entertainment industry which relies on fans and critics to spend their money on it, hence giving them some leverage to bag or praise teams and players.
max power
Guest
if you are going to interact with other supporters you need to toughen up