2023 NRL Round 26 Newcastle Knights v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks, 4:05PM Sunday 27th August @ McDonald Jones Stadium

[Proud Shark]

Great opportunity to keep the momentum going. Knights are flying high and need to keep winning to secure their spot.

Interesting stat, they have scored the 2nd most tries this year, us the 3rd, so we could be up for lots of points. Ponga has done us dirty a few times so I'd love nothing more that to snap their win streak and momentum.

Expecting the same squad, with Kaufusi the only potential change. I think we can get the W, but it will be close and start as a tense match like the cows game.

Sharks 26-16.

 

[HaroldBishop]

Can we get Chad back just for this game?

 

[Proud Shark]

Can we get Chad back just for this game?

I think he has another cricket board meeting.

 

[JimBob]

So we’re ending the season with two big games against sides fighting for their spot in the eight. I’m worried that if we even make the eight, we’ll already be out of puff from playing two finals calibre games already.

Hopefully we can score a couple quick tries early to take the energy out of the crowd. We also need discipline in our defensive line with Ponga being in the form he is. If just one player overcommits on a sweeping play, Ponga will be accelerating behind them 9/10 times.

 

[Western Sharkie]

Can we get Chad back just for this game?

To play for Newie?

 

[CrazyMatt]

Newcastle are one of the hottest teams in the league at the moment. Our biggest test in weeks.

 

[Deleted member 3365]

Not confident.

Knights will continue to ride their wave.

24-12 Knights.

 

[Sir Chadley]

Can we get Chad back just for this game?

Not sure why you’d want that. Unless you’re talking about me but then I’m still confused.

 

[HaroldBishop]

You blokes have short memories.

 

[Sir Chadley]

Ah, of course!

 

[CrazyMatt]

You blokes have short memories.

Still one of the funniest things I’ve ever seen. I mean, ****ing hell Chad.

 

[Western Sharkie]

This will be a real test for us.
We have a 9-10 day break or something which will be handy for any niggling injuries (Ie Sifa hobbling after the game).

 

[MrDravid]

So we’re ending the season with two big games against sides fighting for their spot in the eight. I’m worried that if we even make the eight, we’ll already be out of puff from playing two finals calibre games already.

Hopefully we can score a couple quick tries early to take the energy out of the crowd. We also need discipline in our defensive line with Ponga being in the form he is. If just one player overcommits on a sweeping play, Ponga will be accelerating behind them 9/10 times.

If we beat the Knights, do we rest players come round 27? Playing last in round 27 means we'll know if we have anything left to play for.

 

[bort]

If we beat the Knights, do we rest players come round 27? Playing last in round 27 means we'll know if we have anything left to play for.

Will only have access to our 18th and 19th man by time we want to make decisions probably
So could rotate them in if there was someone who could benefit from a breather

 

[MrDravid]

Will only have access to our 18th and 19th man by time we want to make decisions probably
So could rotate them in if there was someone who could benefit from a breather

Brisbane/Melbourne game is Thursday though, so we'll know if top 4 is realistic

 

[Proud Shark]

If we beat the Knights, do we rest players come round 27? Playing last in round 27 means we'll know if we have anything left to play for.

I think we've only really just hit some form so I'd be loathe to rest anyone that didn't need it. Anyone with niggles, sure, but otherwise aim up for that week 1 win and the week off.

 

[Super Impose]

Brisbane/Melbourne game is Thursday though, so we'll know if top 4 is realistic

Funny how those 2 get the long turn around into week 1 of the finals ..

 

[Proud Shark]

Funny how those 2 get the long turn around into week 1 of the finals ..

Depends when their finals game is. You'd expect one likely play Thursday and the other Friday wouldn't you?

 

[MrDravid]

Funny how those 2 get the long turn around into week 1 of the finals ..

And funny how we get last game of the round?

Depends when their finals game is. You'd expect one likely play Thursday and the other Friday wouldn't you?

Not sure we'll see a Thursday game?

Last year:
Friday - 1v4
Saturday - 5v8
Saturday - 2v3
Sunday - 6v7

 

[Proud Shark]

And funny how we get last game of the round?

Not sure we'll see a Thursday game?

Last year:
Friday - 1v4
Saturday - 5v8
Saturday - 2v3
Sunday - 6v7

Ahh fair point. Forgot about that.

Still don't think it's orchestrated though. Someone's gotta play that game, and if it was us we'd have had a 5 day turn around from rd 26-27 which is far from ideal.

We'll likely end up with the Sunday game again for a 7 day rest which is all you can really ask for.