Friday, March 9, 6pm (AEDT)
McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
The Knights have been very active in the off-season, with at least nine of their new signings (Kalyn Ponga, Tautau Moga, Connor Watson, Mitchell Pearce, Slade Griffin, Jacob Lillyman, Aidan Guerra, Chris Heighington and Herman Ese’ese) expected to be named in their Round 1 line-up against the Sea Eagles. It’s been a very lean period for the Novocastrians, winning the wooden spoon in the last three seasons, and Knights coach Nathan Brown will be hoping the new crop of players will help them get out of the cellar. The Sea Eagles played finals football in 2017 and will be looking to build on that effort. The Trbojevic brothers will be crucial to their success once again, while Daly Cherry-Evans will need to take on a more dominant role since Blake Green’s departure to the Warriors.
FormNewcastle played two trials over the offseason, downing Melbourne 26-22 in a closed-door clash before they were soundly whipped 26-6 in their final trial against Parramatta. Manly lost both their pre-season matches with a 30-14 defeat at the hands of Cronulla followed by an improved 28-26 loss to the Sydney Roosters. Akuila Uate and Brad Parker both bagged doubles.
Key MatchupKalyn Ponga v Tom Trbojevic: Young gun Kalyn Ponga made the big move from North Queensland to Newcastle in the off-season, and the pressure will be on to deliver from Round 1 considering the lucrative contract that he is on. Ponga played seven matches for the Cowboys in 2017 and will relish a full-time role at the Knights. He made 9 line-breaks over that span and 33 tackle-busts. The Wolf is a huge fan of Ponga, but building combinations with fellow new recruits, Mitchell Pearce and Connor Watson is going to take some time. Tom Trbojevic is one of the biggest talents in the NRL, and will be battling James Tedesco for the NSW No.1 jersey for years to come. If he wasn’t scoring tries in 2017, he was setting them up! Tommy Turbo scored 12 tries and set up 20 tries last season. The Wolf can’t wait for this battle between two of the most exciting fullback in the game.
Stats That Matter– Manly have won seven straight against Newcastle including a 26-10 win in the only match at McDonald Jones Stadium over that stretch.
– Five of those wins have come by 16 or more points with the Eagles posting 26 points or more in those big victories.
– The Knights are 9-3 v Manly at McDonald Jones Stadium in the NRL era.
– Newcastle are 3-8 ATS as favourites over the last three seasons.
– Newcastle are 6-9 ATS in their last 15 at home.
– The Knights are 7-2 under at home at night since 2015 while they are 17-9 under overall at night.
– Manly have failed to cover their last eight away from Brookvale while they are 4-14 ATS when away from Brookvale under $2.00 (12-6 over).
– Rounds 1-4 dating back to 2008 go under at 57% in night/twilight games.
– Five of those wins have come by 16 or more points with the Eagles posting 26 points or more in those big victories.
– The Knights are 9-3 v Manly at McDonald Jones Stadium in the NRL era.
– Newcastle are 3-8 ATS as favourites over the last three seasons.
– Newcastle are 6-9 ATS in their last 15 at home.
– The Knights are 7-2 under at home at night since 2015 while they are 17-9 under overall at night.
– Manly have failed to cover their last eight away from Brookvale while they are 4-14 ATS when away from Brookvale under $2.00 (12-6 over).
– Rounds 1-4 dating back to 2008 go under at 57% in night/twilight games.
Final ThoughtsThis is shaping up as a real toss of the coin situation. The Knights will take some time to gel, with all of the new signings, but will have the advantage of playing in front of a packed McDonald Jones Stadium. The Wolf is fading the Sea Eagles this season after they overachieved in 2017, and is concerned about their depth if they suffer any key injuries, plus they’ll be missing both Dylan Walker and Darcy Lussick for this clash. The home ground factor is the clincher in what should be an extremely tight affair.
How It’s Shaping UpNewcastle by 4
Recommended BetsBest: Newcastle ($1.90)
Value: Newcastle 1-12 ($3.20)
First Tryscorer: Kalyn Ponga ($12)
Value: Newcastle 1-12 ($3.20)
First Tryscorer: Kalyn Ponga ($12)
0 nhận xét Blogger 0 Facebook
Post a Comment