After another heavy defeat on home soil again in which we saw Kalyn Ponga ruled out with a HIA, Newcastle’s season is over. Unfortunately, we won’t have a finals three-peat.
I have a lot of questions I’ll ask and answer.
1. Is Kalyn Ponga taking the rest of the season off the right choice?
KP has been told to take the final six weeks off as a precaution. He has had to come off the field for HIA three times in six weeks and considering what happened with James McManus, I agree. I may not be a doctor but those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.
2. Is Adam O’Brien the right coach?
I have defended him this season. Losing Mitchell Pearce was always going to be a setback with no experienced halfback or up-and-coming player to back him up. Jayden Brailey being injured was crucial.
I’m actually not at liberty to say if AOB is the right coach. I’m not qualified to make a call, I don’t work for the Knights, I am not on the coaching staff or the team. I know in the past I have praised him but reality is, my opinion won’t determine whether or not he is.
(Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
3. What needs to change?
The culture is a massive part that needs to change, not just in the team but also with the fans. This isn’t just for Knights but for all teams who have online experts who love to bash their teams when things to turn to disaster.
I love using social media and I am a massive fan of the right to free speech but abusing that right is messed up. There’s a massive difference between constructive criticism and bullying. Unless you work for your team and you’re on the board, you have no right to bash the team.
After our loss on Friday, we are now the worst defensive team of the competition and for the first time in our history, we’ve conceded 40-plus points in three consecutive games. That sucks.
4. How should things change?
All us Knights fans want to see us win the grand final. Unfortunately, as harsh as it sounds, we’re not premiership contenders and I don’t know how how long it’s going to take. How long is a piece of string? We need to focus on some mini goals, such as the following.
– The culture: The team culture needs to be shifted from rebuilding into winning. Maybe asking the old boys like the Johns brothers, the Gidleys, Danny Buderus, Billy Peden and Paul Harragan to say a few words could educate our juniors and team about winning for the town, the fans and each other.
– Blood the juniors: To add on to the winning culture, we can build that towards our juniors, work on our pathways and not just work on our current generation but future generations. When our next long-term halfback is set to retire, we have one in waiting and ready to go.
– The fans: Our role as fans is to support the team and encourage them to win. We buy tickets, we attend games and we buy merchandise.
As a fan, this is what I believe is needed for our team in the long run. With that being said, this article won’t dictate what happens with the team and neither should any of the online “experts” who talk about which player needs to be dropped or sacked.
Our team is in for the long haul and that’s how it’s got to be. We can’t just go for quick solutions. I don’t like seeing us lose, it sucks, but the reality is, we have to stick for the long run.
Newcastle the town, and the Knights are the same DNA. You can’t talk about this town without talking about the team.
Cat Brown
Guest
It's great that Ponga has signed long term but who is there to help him.
Jules Morel
Guest
How does Lodge get to stay on the field after taking out Ponga effectively flatlining Knights threat? Just a petty fine as well basically permitting him to continue taking players out.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
You only have to look at a young guy like Troy Pezet- Newcastle junior, his father on the coaching staff at Newcastle and finishes up at Melbourne. Go figure.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Let's not forget, it not Crichton's first concussion by any stretch, and the latest was literally car-crash-like. When was the last time a player couldn't remember the game ? His playing future is also in serious doubt.
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Dearden is nailing it - in more ways than one
JennyFromPenny
Guest
Another loss? All the best to their departing #6, the Dolphins marquee.
Redcap
Roar Guru
They're getting Adam Elliot next year - I quite like how he's been playing at 9/13 this year.
matth
Roar Guru
The Knights were on a hiding to nothing this year. Brailey had a long term injury, Ponga is targeted and has been struggling with head knocks. Best had injury problems. For me these factors mean the Knights are not as bad as people are making out. Things to address: 1. they need to find a big bodied winger to help with the kick returns. If Ponga is staying at the back, then he needs help with the hard carries. What is the point of bashing your Rolls Royce against a wall? 2. Bringing in Milford was a mistake. Not that he has played particularly badly, but the Knights needed to stick with Clifford and Clune. Look at how Dearden is going in NQ now that he has been shown a bit of confidence and support. Clifford still has a lot of upside. Maybe consider finding a journeyman like Milford, but it has to be an organising half, not a running back. 3. They need a goer at lock forward. Not sure who that is.
Albo
Roar Rookie
1. For his own good, its time for Ponga to hang up the boots, and go back to golf. 2. O'Brien has not been able to get this team firing though it has a bunch of Origin players in it and a well supported following . Time for him to go as well. 3. They need a real spine and injection of Newcastle spirit. 4. It has to come from the local junior base. Time to bring through a new bunch of Johns, Gidleys, Buderus, etc together representing their community.
John
Guest
Do you watch how the Knights play? Receiving from the kick off the knights use forwards one out to ruck it out, usually kicking from the near half way, but from kick receptions near own line will use lightweight backs to ruck it out - tuala, lee, ponga, gagai, mann etc who struggle for yardage. Typically kicking on last tackle near 30 metre line with opposition receiving ball typically around 30 metre line with little pressure. So they are losing the field position game big time. Other teams like panthers get good metres from their back five. The knights except for Young, don't. In defence, the knights will typically move up in defence and then stop, and retreat controlling the play the ball but giving away two to three metres every tackle. Other issues that cost field position, against the Rooster the knights kick-off were being caught 15 metres from try line with the rooster typically playing the ball in newcastle's half on the third tackle. You can't attack if you are constantly playing the ball in your half. Making matters worse is playing one out football. So to play against the Knights kick long and early, compress your defensive line and keep them in their own half. Most of the current problems with the Knights is how they are coached.
Justin
Guest
I think they have to change up the juniors system, plus who selects the players who will get a chance at the Knights. There is a star player in Roosters juniors, who’s scored a heap of points. He was told he’s too small to play for the Knights. That kind of thing happens at the Knights quite often. Remember Mitchell was told that he wasn’t good enough to play at the Knights, before going to the Roosters. Brennan came into rejig the system & left after less than half a season. Why was that? Needs urgent attention. They have to get past trying to buy & overpay second rate players that have come from other clubs. Such as Milford. Better to send out scouts to find the best up & coming players from elsewhere, if you’re going to buy players. Players who work hard & tackle well in the forwards to start with. A few up & coming halves . For the forwards, I’d start by looking at the Roosters ( central coast ), Cronulla, Brisbane, North Queensland. They always seem to produce plenty of forward talent & more than they can play at a top level. Keep the best of the players that do come through Newcastle juniors & lower grades. Too many good players still getting away from the club. If they’re not going to change the first grade coach. Look to get some very good lower grade & assistant coaches from elsewhere. They are around & again a top defensive coach as the assistant in first grade , is the place to start.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Merge with the Titans and rebrand as the "East Coast Yankers"
Seymour Richards
Guest
Blame Putin :thumbup:
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Joey Johns has had a massive impact as attacking coach ?