It’s no secret I’m very passionate about the Knights. It’s more than just the Knights tattoo I have, all the gear I wear to game day or even all the travel I do for my team. It’s how much I love to back my team and not just watch them play, watch them win.
We have lost five games this year and a draw. We had six games (including the tie) we didn’t win and every game we played from Rounds 1-8, we were competitive and if things went our way, we would have entered Round 9 at 7-1. Unfortunately, it doesn’t work that way. 3-4 with a draw. 157 scored and 162 conceded. Better than last year after eight.
The Round 9 nightmare we endured. Going to Parramatta to get an extra two points on top of the guaranteed two points we will get for the Magic Round bye sounds like a perfect plan. The result says it all. Lost 43-12.
We played such atrocious football from the onset with an error in the opening set of the match, failure to defend after the error and letting Parramatta run riot in the first half to lead 30-6. By halft-ime, we gave away 10 line breaks – that’s embarrassing. In the second half, we showed a bit more fight in a game that was already lost.
A big issue we’ve got to resolve is Kalyn Ponga. I’m not trying to bash the guy, I’ve always been a fan but he was so damn awful and played perhaps his worst game to date. He was missing tackles like crazy and didn’t show any required leadership.
I get it, he’s only young and still got a long way to learn the ropes of being a skipper. To me, it seems the players are just playing with the whole “let Ponga run the show” attitude and that’s not a good attitude.
Kurt Mann had a shocker tonight and his poor pass which led to an error in the first set pretty much set the tone for the game.
We have the bye up next and during that time, I really hope our players are grinding it in. With that said, I also think the whole attitude of letting KP run the show needs to stop. I remember when he was set to return, there was talk saying we play better with KP and that to me is saying “let him carry us”.
Our team needs to remove that mindset and focus on running out on the field not just to play, but to win. Everyone needs to bring their own best to the field each game.
We didn’t look like the team who took Penrith to the wire in golden point or even put up a fighting battle with North Queensland. We just played like a group of guys who didn’t want to be there. Us fans wanted to be there, whether in attendance or watching the game on television and for some like me and others from the Hunter who traveled, it seems like they made more effort.
We’ve got plenty of time to turn the season around and show more competitiveness, compassion and the will to win so let’s do it.
Tony
Roar Guru
One that the Knights may regret
Noel
Roar Rookie
Genuine 'what if' moment... Dolphins wanted Ponga, badly. Tell him with hard work and dedication, they can improve him. But there's apparently some residual issue between Wayne and Knights and/or Ponga Snr himself.. They luckily pickup the Hammer, and he's looking like a world beater. I rate the Hammer, but Ponga's ceiling is way higher, in my view. Genuine 'what if' moment...
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
You can not have your 5/8 defending on the wing. Perhaps with Young moving on next year he could play in the 5 jersey
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
He doesnt fit into their worst starting 13
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
True that but we looked so much better with Jackson Gamble. And Brailey was out against the panthers and we still looked sick as Then Ponga comes back and we are beyond putrid. Just play him off the bench and let Gamble play 6 and Crossland 9
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
We learnt early on in that game that Kurt Mann is NO hooker/dummy half. In fact, he is barely a first-grader.
Adz Sportz
Roar Guru
The Knights look a better side, especially defensively with Gamble in the #6 jumper defending 3rd man in. Miller has been an x-factor at the back... I honestly don't think Ponga fits into their best starting 13 at the moment.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I already raised this question last week. Normally I would say move Ponga back to FB but replacing one of the in form FBs of the competition in Lachie Miller would only drive the Knights deeper to the bottom of the NRL ladder.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
I'm not sure if that was tongue in cheek or not, but you aren't talking about former Rabbitoh and Sea Eagle Mark "Spud" Carroll are you? Spud is his nickname. Just like Paul "Fatty" Vautin, Steven "Blocker" Roach and Joseph "show me the money" Suaalii.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
How about Reuben Garrick and Jason Saab? :silly:
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Hook Ponga, send him to Rugby Union and save the Knights over $1 million on their salary cap and a dead weight during games. If the ARU sign enough lemons like Ponga and Suaalii they might end up leaving NRL players alone.
David Roderick
Roar Rookie
I was listening to a game on the radio last weekend in which one commentator kept calling the other "Spud". A little harsh I thought. Admittedly the chap was no rocket scientist, but not the worst I've heard.
The King of the World
Roar Guru
With all due respect, he’s got far better players around him in State of Origin.
Tony
Roar Guru
The Dragons have a strict "no refund - no return" policy
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Sure did, pardner
Redcap
Roar Guru
Commiserations, King. That was woeful and the Knights have a big problem with Ponga. I wonder if rugby's still interested.
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
Tragically, he goes well at origin then sucks for the knights. That hurts on so many levels
Tony
Roar Guru
:thumbup:
Tony
Roar Guru
Hi John, I certainly remember that show. One of my favourites along with Leave it to Beaver. I wonder if O'Brien even wants to last the season.
Robbo
Roar Rookie
Cowboys dodged a bullet with that one.......see what I did there? :stoked: