[Round 21, 2021] Knights vs Broncos

[BroncsFan]

I'm not all that confident with this game to be honest.

I think Pearce being back actually helps our cause somewhat as Clifford's kicking game destroyed us when we played the cows. Pearce doesnt kick it as far, but expect Cliff to chime in with some floating bombs from around the 50m line.

Brailey being out is a bonus as he can pick a run and our ruck can get pretty loose at times.


Why I'm not feeling it is primarily around the hooking role. I would prefer Kobe start and Levi come on after 30mins like last week.

Still not keen on Croft although he played much better last week... and I'm worried about the strike we have lost with Katoni gone.

I think Riki had more space last week because the defence was worried about Staggs, with him out they will have an easier time of it and can load up on Riki.

With Riki potentially nullified and no Staggs, Gamble suddenly doesnt have the weapons to strike with, so I'm not sure where the points will come from.


There's also the NSWRL manufacturing that will be absolutely rife... Newcastle are a golden child and have a golden run into the finals. There are a couple teams at the bottom of the 8 which are vulnerable so I can see NSWRL doing everything they can to sneak Newcastle into the 8... even though they'll just get walloped in the first round.

But hey they might be able to sneak some extra eyes with Ponga's presence in the finals and the favourable coverage they'll get from Newcastle sons Matty and Joey on both their media partners

 

[Jedhead]

We are unfortunately plagued by injuries in the spine so it makes it next to impossible to build combinations. If our defence continues to improve and we keep our mistakes to the bare minimum we are a fair chance of winning this in a close hard fought battle.

Provided of course the mysterious 6 agains don’t appear. Getting a win last night at the judiciary was a great start though.

 

[BroncosFever]

Newcastle obviously have a hell of a lot more to play for and with them getting some key players back at the right time you'd think they would win this

At the same time though, it is Newcastle and they've been a shit team for a long time now

 

[Morkel]

I think Riki had more space last week because the defence was worried about Staggs, with him out they will have an easier time of it and can load up on Riki.

With Riki potentially nullified and no Staggs, Gamble suddenly doesnt have the weapons to strike with, so I'm not sure where the points will come from.

I agree with this. Don't discount Staggs' presence in giving that right side attack space. Staggs had his opposite spooked so the defence was staying out wide, getting Riki one-on-one.

 

[Gaz]

 

[theshed]

Bizarre. Good luck to our middle defenders.

 

[BroncsFan]

Dont care where he plays really, would just be happy to see him back in the 17.

If he's doing dummy half work likely comes in as the utility... would be interesting to know if Croft is also running some dummy half as well

 

[WASSHHH]

Newcastle obviously have a hell of a lot more to play for and with them getting some key players back at the right time you'd think they would win this

At the same time though, it is Newcastle and they've been a shit team for a long time now

Yeh, but we’ve got the opportunity to ruin a few teams finals chances, so that’s something to aspire toward.

 

[Sproj]

Dont care where he plays really, would just be happy to see him back in the 17.

If he's doing dummy half work likely comes in as the utility... would be interesting to know if Croft is also running some dummy half as well

In my opinion, I think that is actually where Croft is best suited, certainly more so than Kelly anyway.

 

[Mustafur]

Surely you have him replace croft as he can actually add something in the halves.

 

[McHunt]

Robati dropped from the bench

 

[Sproj]

What? Why? What’s he done wrong? Robati has been a shining light this year.

 

[McHunt]

What? Why? What’s he done wrong? Robati has been a shining light this year.

Nothing. To make way for Kelly to come in as spine cover. I wouldn't be dropping Willison, Kennedy or Bullemor either. Guess that's where he sits in the pecking order.

Makes sense to bring Kelly in, particularly with Croft being shown the door. Ironically, it's in the Broncos' best interest not to drop Croft if they're shopping him around.

 

[BroncsFan]

What? Why? What’s he done wrong? Robati has been a shining light this year.

I'd say it's just precautionary because of his injury a few weeks back.

Might also be rewarding Willison for his debut game and showing some faith in Riki

 

[Foordy]

What? Why? What’s he done wrong? Robati has been a shining light this year.

someone needs to drop off the bench ... the others also deserve their spot. it would have had to come down to either Bullemore or TC dropping off, either way people would complain

 

[007]

someone needs to drop off the bench ... the others also deserve their spot. it would have had to come down to either Bullemore or TC dropping off, either way people would complain

Exactly. As long as Kev is delivering clear and consistent messages or understandings to why i don't see a problem this late in the season. The club has show its prepared to clear dead wood so the mindset of the whole place is rebuilding and fixing.

 

[Kimlo]

Exactly. As long as Kev is delivering clear and consistent messages or understandings to why i don't see a problem this late in the season. The club has show its prepared to clear dead wood so the mindset of the whole place is rebuilding and fixing.

The way I see it, if we can start complaining about a player missing out, we might be heading in the right direction for a change.

 

[Sproj]

Exactly. As long as Kev is delivering clear and consistent messages or understandings to why i don't see a problem this late in the season. The club has show its prepared to clear dead wood so the mindset of the whole place is rebuilding and fixing.

As long as the messaging is clear, that's fine but Kevvie doesn't seem great at it unfortunately. At some point though, I agree tough choices need to be made with Riki, Robati, Capewell and Piakura. It is a nice position to be in. If Robati is being given more time to get over injury, that's fine.