TeamList Team List Tuesday (2023 Finals Week 2) - Warriors vs Knights

vs

Kickoff In:

Thursday
Afternoon
12:00

Team Lists

 
Status
Not open for further replies.
They say AFL is a better live sport and NRL is a better tv product, but i've been to a couple here in Perth during my time and I had no idea where to look. No idea where they get that idea from.
I don't like AFL but my Mrs is from Melbourne and likes the rubbish so I have been to a half a dozen games unfortunately.
I'm not sure what it's like in Perth but the games I been to in Melbourne and Adelaide, the atmosphere was hands down far better then any NRL game I have been to.
Constantly the crowds making loud noise and no matter where you seat you get action at all times.
With the NRL I find half the game the crowds almost silent and sometimes you don't get any action down your end for awhile.
 
Those are not socks bro, they are called TED stockings they are a medical product.

They do a few things, but someone like Johnson who is not allowed to move around a lot you use them to prevent blood clots called deep vein thrombosis which tells you he has been off his legs a lot. They stop blood pooling in the legs so help with healing also.

That makes sense since the most effective treatment for a calf injury is rest.

A lot of older people have to wear them, especially people on blood pressure lowering drugs, and people with varicose veins and lastly (most relevant to this thread) post bed bound patients wear them to prevent clots.
Standard post op equipment for us geriatrics these days. I use mine for long haul as well, just in case the blood thinners aren't up to it.

SJ will play IMO. Whether he lasts the game is a different story. Still think last weeks pairing was a training run for that eventuality in game.
 
I don't like AFL but my Mrs is from Melbourne and likes the rubbish so I have been to a half a dozen games unfortunately.
I'm not sure what it's like in Perth but the games I been to in Melbourne and Adelaide, the atmosphere was hands down far better then any NRL game I have been to.
Constantly the crowds making loud noise and no matter where you seat you get action at all times.
With the NRL I find half the game the crowds almost silent and sometimes you don't get any action down your end for awhile.
I got quite involved in AFL when I lived on the Gold Coast.
Getting to know the rules wasn't easy but once I got a handle on it I really enjoyed the game but certainly better at the ground
 

Warriors v Knights: Nine things to know about the Newcastle Knights ahead of Saturday’s home playoff game​

All you need to know about the Newcastle Knights, the side looking the end the Warriors’ season on Saturday night.

1) Hottest team in the NRL​

Newcastle have made one of the great playoff charges – they were so bad early in the season that coach Adam O’Brien was reportedly on the verge of being sacked.

By late June, they had won five from 15, and O’Brien’s overall win rate since 2020 was a middling 40 per cent.

But O’Brien has got the Knights into the finals in three of his four seasons in charge and they are on a 10-game winning streak, an incredible run by NRL standards.

2) The Ponga effect​

Fullback Kalyn Ponga is the key to his team’s attack.

While this could be said of just about every fullback in the NRL, Ponga is something special.

The Queensland State of Origin star has Kiwi ancestry and has played for New Zealand Māori. His parents are from New Zealand and the family lived in Palmerston North for five years during Ponga’s childhood. He was a gifted sports kid which included being an outstanding young golfer.

Ponga’s path has been far from smooth.

The 25-year-old contemplated retirement because of concussion issues. He even sought specialist help in Canada and pulled himself out of this year’s State of Origin, saying he wanted to focus on the Knights after so many interruptions. But he suffered another head ding against Canberra last week, and also went into that game with a problematic shoulder.

3) Air Young​

The Knights’ try-scoring sensation is giant English wing Dominic Young, who is Roosters-bound. When it comes to acrobatic try-scoring dives, Young is a good match for the Warriors flying Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. The two-metre tall Young is the NRL’s top try-scorer this year with 25. However, Young is also one of the most error-prone players in the NRL.

4) Auckland-born tackle buster​

The Knights’ other wing, Auckland-born Greg Marzhew, has a different build and brings a very different type of impact.

The 1.77 metres tall Marzhew is streets ahead of the pack when it comes to tackle busts. He has 173 for the season, way ahead of next-best Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards and Knights teammate Dane Gagai. Marzhew is also near the top of the run metres list and has an impressive 21 tries.

Marzhew, who is of Samoan heritage and was known as Greg Lelesiuao in Auckland, was a Mangere East junior and has played for the Junior Kiwis.

The youngster left his family to live with an uncle in Melbourne 12 years ago. Before setting his sights on the NRL, he competed as a hip-hop dancer.

Marzhew was signed by the Knights from the Titans prior to this season.

There have been questions around his defensive work in the past but he has a low error rate and is having a breakthrough time with the Knights thanks to his power-packed game.

5) Front and centre​

Which brings us to the Newcastle centres – Gagai and Bradman Best. This is one area where the Knights have a clear advantage over the Warriors.

Gagai is a big game specialist, with a wealth of test and State of Origin experience and a reputation for making big plays when they are needed. The giant Best is a player on the rise, making an impressive State of Origin debut for New South Wales this year.

They feature heavily when it comes to creating tries for the Knights.

6) Twin Origin stars​

The Newcastle pack includes identical twins Daniel and Jacob Saifiti, who have both played for Fiji and also have Samoan heritage.

Daniel was out of the blocks more quick;y, the first of the twins to win New South Wales selection. But Jacob is the current State of Origin representative. He starts for the Knights with Daniel coming off the bench.

While on that subject, Knights prop Leo Thompson is a New Zealander whose twin brother Tyrone is a hooker for the Chiefs and Hawke’s Bay rugby teams. The brothers went to Napier Boys’ High.

7) Twins galore​

The Knights pack also includes veteran test and State of Origin second-rower Tyson Frizell, the brother of All Blacks loose forward Shannon Frizell.

The brothers were brought up separately but are apparently pretty close. Shannon had to stay in Tonga because he was not allowed to join the family that adopted him when they lived in Australia.

Former Dragon Tyson Frizell has been among the Knights’ best this year.

8) Former Warrior brings the heat​

And another forward is Jack Hetherington, a former Warriors loan player and one of the most fiery players in the NRL. Coach O’Brien reportedly ordered Hetherington to calm down after he was sin-binned in quick succession this year.

9) Spine proving doubters wrong​

With Jackson Hastings in doubt because of injury, the Knights’ plans will probably centre around five-eighth Tyson Gamble, an NRL battler coming good.

A former Bronco – the victim of an alleged Jack Wighton bite last week - has a Street Fighter mentality made for a finals scrap away from home.

Despite the presence of Kalyn Ponga, the Knights’ spine was judged among the weakest in the NRL by many season previewers.

But they are proving doubters wrong, with a little-known Kiwi prospect at the heart of their golden run.

Hooker Phoenix Crossland is no star, but he is brave to the extreme and recently won his club’s Gladiator award selected by former players.

Utility Crossland has done an excellent job at dummy half, covering for injury. This has also made him a leftfield Kiwi selection – he was born in Wellington before his family shifted to Australia when he was still very young.

 

Warriors v Knights: Nine things to know about the Newcastle Knights ahead of Saturday’s home playoff game​

All you need to know about the Newcastle Knights, the side looking the end the Warriors’ season on Saturday night.

1) Hottest team in the NRL​

Newcastle have made one of the great playoff charges – they were so bad early in the season that coach Adam O’Brien was reportedly on the verge of being sacked.

By late June, they had won five from 15, and O’Brien’s overall win rate since 2020 was a middling 40 per cent.

But O’Brien has got the Knights into the finals in three of his four seasons in charge and they are on a 10-game winning streak, an incredible run by NRL standards.

2) The Ponga effect​

Fullback Kalyn Ponga is the key to his team’s attack.

While this could be said of just about every fullback in the NRL, Ponga is something special.

The Queensland State of Origin star has Kiwi ancestry and has played for New Zealand Māori. His parents are from New Zealand and the family lived in Palmerston North for five years during Ponga’s childhood. He was a gifted sports kid which included being an outstanding young golfer.

Ponga’s path has been far from smooth.

The 25-year-old contemplated retirement because of concussion issues. He even sought specialist help in Canada and pulled himself out of this year’s State of Origin, saying he wanted to focus on the Knights after so many interruptions. But he suffered another head ding against Canberra last week, and also went into that game with a problematic shoulder.

3) Air Young​

The Knights’ try-scoring sensation is giant English wing Dominic Young, who is Roosters-bound. When it comes to acrobatic try-scoring dives, Young is a good match for the Warriors flying Dallin Watene-Zelezniak. The two-metre tall Young is the NRL’s top try-scorer this year with 25. However, Young is also one of the most error-prone players in the NRL.

4) Auckland-born tackle buster​

The Knights’ other wing, Auckland-born Greg Marzhew, has a different build and brings a very different type of impact.

The 1.77 metres tall Marzhew is streets ahead of the pack when it comes to tackle busts. He has 173 for the season, way ahead of next-best Panthers fullback Dylan Edwards and Knights teammate Dane Gagai. Marzhew is also near the top of the run metres list and has an impressive 21 tries.

Marzhew, who is of Samoan heritage and was known as Greg Lelesiuao in Auckland, was a Mangere East junior and has played for the Junior Kiwis.

The youngster left his family to live with an uncle in Melbourne 12 years ago. Before setting his sights on the NRL, he competed as a hip-hop dancer.

Marzhew was signed by the Knights from the Titans prior to this season.

There have been questions around his defensive work in the past but he has a low error rate and is having a breakthrough time with the Knights thanks to his power-packed game.

5) Front and centre​

Which brings us to the Newcastle centres – Gagai and Bradman Best. This is one area where the Knights have a clear advantage over the Warriors.

Gagai is a big game specialist, with a wealth of test and State of Origin experience and a reputation for making big plays when they are needed. The giant Best is a player on the rise, making an impressive State of Origin debut for New South Wales this year.

They feature heavily when it comes to creating tries for the Knights.

6) Twin Origin stars​

The Newcastle pack includes identical twins Daniel and Jacob Saifiti, who have both played for Fiji and also have Samoan heritage.

Daniel was out of the blocks more quick;y, the first of the twins to win New South Wales selection. But Jacob is the current State of Origin representative. He starts for the Knights with Daniel coming off the bench.

While on that subject, Knights prop Leo Thompson is a New Zealander whose twin brother Tyrone is a hooker for the Chiefs and Hawke’s Bay rugby teams. The brothers went to Napier Boys’ High.

7) Twins galore​

The Knights pack also includes veteran test and State of Origin second-rower Tyson Frizell, the brother of All Blacks loose forward Shannon Frizell.

The brothers were brought up separately but are apparently pretty close. Shannon had to stay in Tonga because he was not allowed to join the family that adopted him when they lived in Australia.

Former Dragon Tyson Frizell has been among the Knights’ best this year.

8) Former Warrior brings the heat​

And another forward is Jack Hetherington, a former Warriors loan player and one of the most fiery players in the NRL. Coach O’Brien reportedly ordered Hetherington to calm down after he was sin-binned in quick succession this year.

9) Spine proving doubters wrong​

With Jackson Hastings in doubt because of injury, the Knights’ plans will probably centre around five-eighth Tyson Gamble, an NRL battler coming good.

A former Bronco – the victim of an alleged Jack Wighton bite last week - has a Street Fighter mentality made for a finals scrap away from home.

Despite the presence of Kalyn Ponga, the Knights’ spine was judged among the weakest in the NRL by many season previewers.

But they are proving doubters wrong, with a little-known Kiwi prospect at the heart of their golden run.

Hooker Phoenix Crossland is no star, but he is brave to the extreme and recently won his club’s Gladiator award selected by former players.

Utility Crossland has done an excellent job at dummy half, covering for injury. This has also made him a leftfield Kiwi selection – he was born in Wellington before his family shifted to Australia when he was still very young.

They are a dangerous side and can score from anywhere - but I think the loss of Fitzgibbon is huge for them. If our big men, AFB, Barnett, Harris and Niukore step up, then I think we can be too strong for them through the middle.
 
Question for all you medical experts out there.

If SJ plays this week and is about 80%, and doesn't reinjure his calf...will it be 100% by next week or is the fact that he will play on it mean that it won't heal completely in time for the nek match?
 
I'm scared for us in this game I think Knights could win and win good they touched us up good as earlier in the year and have only gotten better each week, Knights to win 28-16 sorry fellow forum members but that's were I'm leaning towards
They are a dangerous side. Hard to know how much you can gather from the result in rnd 6, it was a long time ago, they were missing Ponga and we were missing Harris and Barnett.
 
As a side note, I heard on SENZ today that as the NRL run the playoffs that the game day experience will be quite different to what we have become accustomed to this year I.e. No blackout and music etc as they head into the pitch and less of the pre game Warriors hype.

Was pretty pissed off to hear this as well, so will be interested to see what takes place.
The NRL would be stupid to not utilise the expertise of the club in this instance...
 
sorry guys..i did'nt know where to put this..have they named the nsw cup team yet ?
Screenshot 2023-09-14 at 1.26.11 PM.png
 
Question for all you medical experts out there.

If SJ plays this week and is about 80%, and doesn't reinjure his calf...will it be 100% by next week or is the fact that he will play on it mean that it won't heal completely in time for the nek match?

It depends.

In a perfect world he does not play until fully fit.

Playing at 80% is the move of the desperate and even if he does not worsen the injury, it may slow recovery.

You could speculate that the reason the quad injury lingered so long was that we needed SJ to play. This injury it seems from simple deduction is related to straightened leg extension (therefore kicking was banned) clearly it is not significantly affected by movements like running or he would not be playing full stop.

Already you have the example of his thigh injury to answer your question, more than likely playing is not helping the thigh injury, which is why it is not going away after several weeks of no kicking in the game.

Tohu Harris has an interesting injury to his knee. It doesn't worsen significantly with use, and will not fully heal with rest. He is playing with it, yet will need a little surgical clean out at the end of the season (probably endoscpopic 'keyhole' surgery).

The thing with Calf injuries is that the cold hard rule is to not return to running until it is 100% able to flex and at full power.

All our ifs buts wants maybes theoretical injections do not change the medical facts.

Ergo if SJ plays, I am going to assume he is 100%. Which would be great news.

The prescription for a calf strain is two weeks no running, he has had that, and during that time he can cycle, swim, and other low impact stuff.

So it is genuinely possible he could be fully ready on time if luck or the Gods or whatever you believe in give us a little help here.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top