In all sporting contests, when things start to go wrong, it's often difficult to halt the slide. It's no different in a game of footy.
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What was once unwavering collective confidence can quickly collapse into thoughts of uncertainty and dread. As things go from bad to worse, as errors pile up, thinking turns to survival rather than any notion of victory. So it was last week as the Knights turned back the clock to the bad old days. Don't get me wrong, they hung in against a Storm outfit that could have posted twice as many points in a stop-start first half.
One imagines few could, in the post-game dressing-room, make sense of the comprehensive carve-up, but at least there were lessons learned. The Storm, led by Cam's Smith and Munster, were at their very best. Always pushing upfield, their forwards skilfully tipped the ball onto support runners in a manner that moved the Knights around negating the influence of Newcastle's gang-style defence. Consistent with their defensive pedigree, they cleverly pressured our key players, offering little as they crowded, wrestled and frustrated what little opportunity the Knights had. Yep, you get days like that.
THIS WEEK'S TOP 8
1. Otherwise, standout Knight Connor Watson was tireless, tackling himself into exhaustion on the slippery, soggy and substandard Melbourne surface. He made 58 tackles in an incredible day at the office that underlines the young utility's versatility.
2. The announced venue of the SCG for the NRL's 2020 and 2021 grand finals has divided opinion. With a capacity of around 46,000, it's a little light given the big dance normally attracts nearly twice that at the Olympic venue. Concern that the live viewing experience is compromised due to the oval configuration is also fair, but I'm not sure the Olympic venue is much better. All I can deduce is the NRL must be getting a nice sweetener from the state government in terms of stadium reconstruction to compensate for the reduced revenue the games will generate, and for the political backlash expected by overlooking Lang Park. Our Queensland brothers and sisters aren't happy.
4. A weekend off is great news to the mind and bodies of NRL players and connections. The players need a break and coaching staff, too, have lives, chores to attend and families to reacquaint with. In a season where injuries mount and increasing fatigue levels portent of more to come, the break couldn't come too soon. To get an idea, since the pre-season started, these guys have slogged it out mentally and physically for almost 200 days with most hours in between in airports or rehab. An unrelenting schedule few could fathom or maintain, the modern-day game asks a lot of our young gladiators. They commit themselves come what may in the hope the crowd, coach and club like what they see. Apart from the dozens playing rep footy, most should enjoy the rest, because there are less than 100 days until the finals.
5. Blues coach Bradley Fittler is copping it from all quarters after making significant changes to his side that narrowly lost Origin I. Some injury enforced and others based on form, it seems he can't take a trick according to some experts. At first glance, it looks a strong, mobile squad on paper so I'm not sure what all the fuss is about and secondly, Freddy rarely pulls the wrong rein. I'm guessing there'll be plenty of NSW hacks ready to stick the knife in should it all go pear-shaped on Sunday night. At least, things are back to normal in the Waratah state. I can, however, understand the reactions from they-of-little-faith after Freddy seconded Mark Gasnier into his coaching team to tutor his brand-spanking new centres, Jack Wighton and Tommy Trbojevic, neither of whom have any real experience in their chosen position. Much like jamming a square peg in a round hole, at the top echelon, I'm tipping the gamble will pay off as both are born footballers.
6. I had intended to write last week of Daniel Saifiti's hopes for a Blues call-up. As the Knights were taking on the Storm, and I know how big Dan loves reading this column, I thought I'd refrain to ensure a clear focus on the challenge at hand. Given how the match played out, his performance wasn't up to his usual standard, but coach Fittler gave him the thumbs-up anyway. He now finds himself in a position he only dreamed about as late as last week. Hearty congratulations for a chance well-earned. Now, it's about enjoying the build-up and performing as he's prepared. You've made us all very proud big fella. Best of luck.
7. The Maroons' forward line-up looks imposing, providing plenty for NSW to think about in the build-up. One standout for me is the Broncos' Matt Gillett. Rarely does he receive the plaudits but at this stage of his career, he is a goer of the highest order. Technically sound with all kinds of tough, he never takes a backward step and is usually the guy who turns up in the last-gasp-tackle scenarios. His recovery from a serious neck injury last season would have finished most normal competitors. Not this bloke. Watch him Sunday night.
8. Pardon the pun but I see the NRL have announced they're coming down hard on "crusher" tackles, an incredibly risky occupational hazard that has to be eliminated. Now, this class of tackling technique wasn't exactly unheard of back in the day, but normally a consequence of an accident as there was something of a "code" or a short right cross in-waiting, when it came to the sanctity of the neck. Significantly these days, the head and neck have become tactically relevant on the wrestling mats of all NRL clubs. Now I'm not saying the modern version doesn't also result accidentally, but they happen with greater frequency, suggesting apart from player sanctions, there is a message here for club wrestling coaches if we are to eliminate the practice.