NYC Preview: Round 5
Melbourne Storm v Newcastle Knights
Date: Saturday 2 April
Kick off: 12:45pm
Venue: AAMI Park
Teams:
MELBOURNE STORM
1. Jesse Arthars, 2. Jack Cornford, 3. Cory Parker, 4. Angelo Leaupepe, 5. Nat McGavin, 6. Scott Drinkwater, 7. Brodie Croft, 8. Josh Kerr, 9. Connor Donehue, 10. Ben Nakubuwai, 11. Charlie Galo, 12. Jaiyden Hunt. 13. Ben Henderson. Interchange: 14. Sam Burns, 15. Louis Geraghty ,16. Lachlan Timm, 17. Riley Leota.
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
1. Nick Meaney, 2. Kainoa Gudgeon, 3. Dean Kouka Smith, 4. Henry Penn, 5. Matt Soper-Lawler, 6. Brock Lamb, 7. Jake McNamara, 8. Tyrone Amey, 9. Joe Morris, 10. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 11. Eddy Tuilotolava, 12. Braden Robson, 13. Ryan Glanville. Interchange: 15. Zac Hosking, 16. Sam Stone, 17. Jordon Pinnock, 20. Jayden Butterfield.
Match analysis:
The NYC Newcastle Knights were successful in their quest for improvement producing a solid victory over the New Zealand Warriors on Easter Monday in Auckland.
According to coach Todd Lowrie, the proud win has built belief among the players’ and a greater understanding of what's required from them on a consistent basis.
“Hopefully they take a bit of confidence in themselves and what they are doing,” he said.
“The fact they know if they don’t give away penalties and drop too much ball, then we can win some tough footy games.”
The NYC Knights have shown increasing promise with a number of newcomers emerging as dynamic and valuable assets in the side.
“Joe Morris (hooker) was very good for us and both our starting front rowers were good,” he said.
Halves Brock Lamb and Jack Cogger, who completed pre-season training with the NRL, also continuing to strengthen their partnership after a number weeks playing together within the team.
The opposition plays its first game of the season in Melbourne at AAMI Park with the occasion likely to provide some added motivation.
“It will be a big game for them and a bit of a novelty because they are based on the Sunshine Coast,” he predicted.
“It will be their first chance to put in a good performance in front of Melbourne people, so I’m sure it will be up for it.”
The Knights juggle a challenging travel schedule having returned late on Monday night from New Zealand.
With an increased focus on recovery, training sessions have shifted to Thursday and Friday before the team departs to Melbourne for Saturday’s match.
“It’s just about making sure their recovery is good and making sure they do all the right things,” he said.
“They are focusing on getting themselves right.”
Where it will be won:
Attitude.
“It’s about making sure we do what we do well and not worrying too much about they do,” Lowrie said.
“There’s been great improvement from last week to this week so that’s all you can ask for.
“Now it’s just the challenge to stay at that standard and put in a consistent performance.”
