Reserve grade Preview: Round 4
Wentworthville Magpies v Newcastle Knights
Date: Sunday March 27
Kick off: 3pm
Venue: Ringrose Park
Teams:
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
1. Jaelen Feeney, 2. Ken Tofilau, 3. Mao Uta, 4. James Elias, 5. Bryce Donovan, 6. Dylan Phythian, 7. Will Pearsall, 8. Josh King, 9. Kurt Aldridge, 10. Jack Stockwell, 11. Bradie Smith, 12. Luke Yates, 13. Interchange: Tekina Vailea, 14. Danny Kerr, 15. Ben Stone, 16. Michael Steele, 17. Uiti Baker, 18. Tama Koopu.
WENTWORTHVILLE MAGPIES
1. Kieren Moss, 2. Bureta Faraimo, 3. Vai Toutai, 4. Ryan Morgan, 5. Honeti Tuha, 6. Mitch Cornish, 7. Luke Kelly, 8. Rory O’Brien, 9. Cameron King, 10. Daniel Alvaro, 11. Kelepi Tanginoa, 12. Cody Nelson (c), 13. Matt Woods. Interchange: 14. James Hasson, 15. Scott Schulte, 16. Nick Kassis, 17. Blake Cook.
Match analysis:
While the reserve grade Newcastle Knights and Wentworthville Magpies sit at different ends of the spectrum in terms of their start to the season, it will play no bearing on the Knights' outlook heading into the Round 4 clash.
“We are going out there to win a footy game and will compete hard,” coach Matt Lantry said.
“We are aware they have won their first three.
“With the quality they have on the park, it’s a really good test for our guys to see where they are at individually.
“I think each week for us is seeing where our individuals improve and they get a really good opportunity to show they have against a quality opposition.
“That’s what they need to show if they are going to be a first grader going forward.”
Facing up against the Magpies, who have conceded just 32 points this year, Lantry acknowledges the need for his side to produce a more polished performance at Ringrose Park.
“What we need to ensure we are doing is not giving up the possession we gave away last week,” he said.
“If we can minimise our errors, complete high and build pressure, that puts any side under pressure defensively.”
Jack Stockwell, named as starting prop, moves onto the side after recovering from injury.
“Jack will contribute some experience to our pack as another big body there,” he said.
“Hopefully he has a happy return and really contributes to a good team performance.”
With hooker Krys Freeman suffering a broken arm last weekend against the Raiders, Kurt Aldridge seizes the opportunity to join the starting side on Sunday.
“What we are after now is for the team to improve on their performance after last week,” he said.
“As a team we were okay, it was just the individual errors and some ill discipline at times that hurt us.
“We are looking for our halves to be dominant in that area and our forward to again lay a bit of a platform for us.
"Certainly Jack Stockwell will assist with that.
“Hopefully that will give our team the opportunity to play some good ball shape and execute well to give our outside backs an opportunity.”
Where it will be won:
Minimising errors.
“The key focus for us is minimising those errors. If we complete high and build pressure, and put the Magpies under pressure defensively, hopefully we can see an improved performance and will be a longer period of time, ideally through to the 80th minute,” Lantry said.
“You have to keep belief in the plan that you practice throughout the week.”
