Press conference: Chris Heighington on Round 7
nib Newcastle Knights forward Chris Heighington admits they’ll need to put in plenty of hard work at training this week to produce a much better performance against the Wests Tigers in Tamworth on Saturday.
The 36-year-old commented that their discipline on Friday was what let them down.
“Discipline wasn’t on to start the game, giving the Storm seven penalties with the ball,” he said.
“They’re were really good and threatened our line so a fair bit of work to be done this week but I'm confident we can get back on track.
“Just fix up the basics… completion, missed tackles, all the things you’ve got to get right to win footy games.
And while it may be a Tigers home game, the Knights are treating it like their home game with a big fan base that extends to the regional area.
“I’ve played a heap at Leichhardt and Campbelltown over the years and it’s pretty hard to get a win there so it’s good to go to Tamworth where all the Knights fans can turn up and get us home on the day,” he said.
It’s great to give back to the country towns, and I always enjoy getting out there and seeing all the passionate fans.
Chris Heighington Prop
“Hopefully a lot of people can get in their cars and turn up because we love playing in front of Knights fans, the last three games we won I believe because the crowd got us home.
“It’s great to give back to the country towns, and I always enjoy getting out there and seeing all the passionate fans.”
Heighington will also come up against some old teammates in Tamworth.
“I've played nearly 200 games with Benji (Marshall) so I know him very well and I know how he plays,” said the forward.
“He’s playing very good footy at the moment and has scored two good tries so he’s one of their danger men and we’re going to have to be on our game to minimise his involvement.”
At five wins from six games the Tigers are in red hot form and Heighington agrees they’ve got one of the best defensive structures in the competition.
“They defend a bit differently to most teams and I’ve been watching them at home and they’re winning close games and that’s what you’ve got to do this time of the year,” stated Heighington.
“They’re more up and in, the wingers and centres are coming up and shutting the ball off which most teams are up and out, so it’s a bit technical.
“They’re playing a good brand of footy, they defend well and they’re turning up for one another in close footy games so I'm not surprised at how well the Tigers are going."
Heighington also made comment following the sin binning of fellow forward Lachlan Fitzgibbon against the Storm’s Billy Slater.
“At the time out on the field, I thought we were pretty hard done by but that’s the rules so you’ve got to stick by them,” added Heighington.
“We’re out there to play and the refs are out there to ref... it’s the ref's call so play on.”
