NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS V CANTERBURY BANKSTOWN BULLDOGS
Round 25, 2015 Holden Cup
Date: Saturday August 29, 3.15pm.
Venue: Hunter Stadium
Teams:
KNIGHTS
1. Bryce Donovan, 2. Jacob Gagai, 3. Josh Birch, 4. Braden Robson, 5. Ken Tofilau, 6. Brock Lamb, 7. Jack Cogger, 8. Josh King, 9. Jack Kelly, 10. Daniel Saifiti, 11. Bradie Smith, 12. Jacob Saifiti, 13. Ben Stone. Bench: 14. Fuaimamao Uta, 15. Roman Fepuleai, 16. Sam Stone, 17. Faitotoa Faitotoa.
BULLDOGS
1. Josh Bergamin, 2. Jayden Okunbor, 3. Reimis Smith, 4. Michael Morgan, 5. Marcelo Montoya, 6. Bronson Garlick, 7. Guy Hamilton, 8. Jake Kamire, 9. Brad Keighran, 10. Brandon Luamanu, 11. Harry Pondekas, 12. Renouf To’omaga, 13. Piki Rogers. Interchange: 14. Josh Montgomery, 15. Darcy Maroske, 16. Valima Teaupa, 17. Royce Hunt.
Match analysis:
The NYC Newcastle Knights return to their home turf of Hunter Stadium to face up against the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs in Round 25.
“The Bulldogs have been tracking along pretty well in the last couple of months while we have been up and down,” NYC Knights’ coach Troy Pezet said.
“It’s really important for us tomorrow to maintain the enthusiasm that we bought on Monday night and got away with the win against the Melbourne Storm."
With the short turnaround, Pezet said the young team hasn’t had a lot of time to dwell on last week’s performance.
Daniel Saifiti suffered a knee injury on Monday night but will push for fitness right up until the last minute to take the field on Saturday afternoon. Fuaimamao Uta is in the same boat after straining his ankle.
“We are hoping we will be as per the program, but after Monday night’s effort with all our young players, we’re pretty confident whoever we throw in there will bring a heap of enthusiasm,” he said.
Pezet believes the crux of the game will be in controlling the ball and finishing sets well.
“If we can do that we will ensure we’re in the game right until the end,” he said.
“Canterbury is a team that throws the ball around really well, so we really need a big emphasis on our ball control.”
Where it will be won:
Ball control.
“I think the team that controls the ball the best will win,” Pezet said.
“Both sides have plenty of points in them, but I think whoever has more opportunities with the ball will go a long way to winning the game.”
