SEN’s Matty Johns believes the Newcastle Knights need to work out their best halves combination if they are to bounce back after their poor opening round performance.
Despite entering the season with plenty of hype, the Knights were stunned at home by the Canberra Raiders in a 28-12 upset loss.
In an error riddled performance, Johns said his biggest worry for the Knights was their confusing halves situation.
“I question how the Knights used Jack Cogger,” Johns said on SEN 1170.
“The Knights played too sideways and pushed the balls on parallel lines.
“The halves weren’t creating space for Kalyn Ponga or any of the young backs.
“Jack Cogger then came on and played dummy half. Why? I don’t know.
“I thought they were going to put Tyson Gamble at 13.
“You’ve got a bloke there in Jack Cogger who in the 2023 Grand Final, the highest pressure atmosphere when Penrith were down and he made all the difference.
“Surely that deserves a starting jersey.
“I thought Cogger deserved to start or at the very least, put him in the halves when he comes on.”
The Raiders were tipped by many to be the biggest sliders in 2024 after an underwhelming 2023 season and the loss of star playmaker Jack Wighton to South Sydney.
SEN’s Denan Kemp felt that Canberra coach Ricky Stuart was spurred on by the negative perception of his side and ambushed Newcastle.
“My biggest takeaway was that Ricky Stuart substantially outcoached Adam O’Brien,” Kemp told SEN 1170.
“He has grown so much as a coach and there was a real inflexion point three years ago when he nearly lost the playing group.
“They played Round 1 footy. They knew things were going to be clunky.
“They put themselves in a position where the pressure got to the Knights.
“Great Round 1 footy.”
The Raiders return to Canberra in Round 2 to take on the Wests Tigers whilst the Knights travel to Townsville to play the Cowboys.