NRL Pre-Season Trials Discussion

[Harry Sack]

Only just found out today that some games are being televised on Foxtel/Kayo.

Sharks V Warriors tonight

Penrith V Raiders tomorrow

No big names in these games I don't think but....**** yeah, footy!

 

[Santa]

Only just found out today that some games are being televised on Foxtel/Kayo.

Sharks V Warriors tonight

Penrith V Raiders tomorrow

No big names in these games I don't think but....**** yeah, footy!

Omg finally!

This off-season has been way too long!

 

[BroncsFan]

Omg finally!

This off-season has been way too long!

Feels like it started around origin last year!!

 

[Santa]

Feels like it started around origin last year!!

I'm just happy to get back to talking about the NRL instead of Trump

 

[Big Pete]

Apologies, had a couple of things pop up and I've been on zombie mode all week.

Let's see if I can get Sproj's approval:

Newcastle Knights 2025
1. Kalyn Ponga
2. Fletcher Sharpe
3. Dane Gagai
4. Bradman Best
5. Greg Marzhew
6. Tyson Gamble
7. Jack Cogger/Jackson Hastings
8. Jacob Saifiti
9. Jayden Brailey
10. Leo Thompson
11. Tyson Frizell
12. Kai Pearce-Paul
13. Adam Elliott

14. Phoenix Crossland
15. Mat Croker
16. Jack Hetherington
17. Dylan Lucas

On paper, it's a very settled line-up in the Hunter region but 2025 is shaping up to be a transitional year. They have a couple of players in the twilight of their career (Gagai, Frizell) and a few others who are either winding up their tenure or could very well leave at the end of the year (L. Thompson, Elliott, Brailey, Croker, Hetherington etc.)

If you look through their extended squad, it's a very young group of men. I was digging through the Knights development pathways since O'Brien took over in 2020 and we've arrived at the generation that came through his system. Players like Sharpe, McCarthy, McEwen, Bryan, Jones, Hopwood etc. have all worked their way through Harold Matts to NRL so I expect to see them along with the new recruits like Annan, Manuleleua and Arthur to feature.

On one hand, I expect their paltry attack to improve but on the other I can see them having defensive issues as the younger players adapt to the grind of NRL footy. Last year, they were the sixth best defensive side and it was just enough to get them over the line.

So I expect to see the Knights throw more caution to the wind. Last year, they were a high completion team that would just ask the same questions over and over again until they eventually got the answer they wanted. They'd largely work teams over through the middle, stretch the defence down one edge before setting up down the opposite edge where they could get a `1-1 for Kalyn to exploit. Typically that would buy them 3 tries and they'd have to try their best to defend that lead.

It's not a bad formula but without a dominant halfback to help control possession and territory the odds are only capable of getting them so far. They need a change in tact and on the surface, I think Pearce-Paul has the most up-side.

KPP was very raw last year but you could see the potential. He was such a big body, that teams couldn't contain the second phase but Newcastle rarely found themselves in a position where they could exploit in. In the modern game where it's a game of inches and pushing the envelope the Knights will likely be looking to run more traffic around KPP and provide some support runners. I think he's that perfect play four, on the 40 option.

Will Pryce is another player who could factor in as well. Pryce showed enough last year to warrant an extended go and if he can grow his game on that experience it will give the Knights a different dynamic in attack. Pryce likes to play on the front foot, which would compliment a second phase style of footy.

I also wanted to highlight one of their signings Tyrone Thompson. I was late to the party on this, but it's actually Leo's twin brother. If he's anywhere near as good as Leo, it will give them another hard running middle forward that will help lighten the load for their pack.

Still, it's the Ponga show and if Kalyn can remain fit the Knights will win more than they lose. He's one of the best runners in the game and just creates overlaps as well as any player in the game. The only knock on him is that he can drift out of games. If he can stay focused and get the Knights off to a hot start they could make some waves.

Unfortunately without a star halfback there's only so far they can go. Somebody out of Cogger, Hastings, Gamble or Crossland needs to guide this team around and step up when the game is on the line. I just don't see it, so I'm expecting more of the same.