nib Newcastle Knights winger Nathan Ross admits five minute lapses did a lot of damage in their loss to the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs and that’s where they need to improve.
“A minute to go in the first half, they scored and then straight after halftime they scored right at the death, that’s 12 points,” Ross explained.
“We need to hold our line for that last five minutes and it would be a completely different result.”
The entertaining winger, who scored a leaping try in the first half, believes the side didn’t capitalise on all their opportunities.
“I am at fault, I knocked on that first try and my job as a winger is to score them…. that’s what my team expects from me, that’s what the coaching staff expects from me, that hurt a bit,” Ross commented.
“Ken Sio didn’t quite finish, Sione (Mata’utia) was ruled that it wasn’t controlled and a knock on so there’s 18 points with the way Trent (Hodkinson) kicks goals, it’s just something we’ve got to put polish on and finish.”
The 28-year-old said he’s been working hard on all the smaller aspects of his game which he feels has been paying off.
“Just being able to put myself in a position to contest the ball and getting the try was a good one for the highlight reel, one to reflect once I’m done playing football,” Ross laughed.
“I do want to focus on what I can do to help this team get better and win some games.”
Ross is looking forward to taking on the Sydney Roosters at home on Good Friday, accepting they won’t be an easy feat.
“They are a very good team, they have a big backline,” said Ross.
“I think with Michael Gordon going to fullback has given them a bit of polish, Luke Keary has been very good in the halves, Mitchell Pearce shows he is a class player week in, week out and their forward pack is big.
