2017 NSW Cup

Just the 1 player in the Team of the Week from Round 20

5. Thomas Cronan

Club: Newcastle Knights; 2017 TOTW selections: 0.

18 total runs, 207 total metres, 1 tackle bust, 1 try, 19 tackles


It was a dashing snatch-and-grab effort from Newcastle winger Thomas Cronan which had the Knights back in the thick of the contest in their match-up with the Bears at the North Sydney Oval.

The run – which lead to an eventual try – was one of 18 by Cronan in his side’s two-point loss to the Bears, which in all, totaled more than 200 metres.

Sound in defence also, Cronan put together 19 tackles before the Knights fell at the final hurdle – an 80th minute penalty goal consigning the Novocastrians to a disappointing loss in Round 20.


http://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2017/07/25/isp_nsw_team_of_the_.html
 
He does the most runs most weeks. You get the feeling he is doing everything he can to earn an nrl spot or a contract for next year.
 
If I had to pick 1 of those 2, Hughes is maybe 3 inches taller, 10kg heavier, looks faster, scores a lot of good tries, while Cronan works harder and seems a better defender - but overall i'd go for Hughes.
 
The problem is not who we keep but who we let go, realistically we can't keep them all and get better, it hurts but we have to be realistic and let some of our favourites go, don't know if we can keep both Hughes and Cronan, but would like to.
 
Reserve Grade match preview: Round 21


Thu 27th July, 09:48AM


Newcastle Knights v Illawarra
Date: Saturday July 29
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium
Kick-off: 12.40pm

Squads

Newcastle

1. Nick Meaney, 2. Tom Hughes, 3. Brendan Elliot, 4. Jacob Gagan, 5. Thomas Cronan, 6. Jaelen Feeney, 7. Jack Cogger, 8. Tyrone Amey, 9. Tyler Randell, 10. Jack Stockwell, 11. Sam Stone, 12. Braden Robson, 13. Bradie Smith. Interchange: 14. Will Pearsall, 15. Faitotoa Faitotoa, 16. Pat Mata’utia, 17. Pasami Saulo, 18. Joey Morris, 19. Jamayne Taunoa-Brown, 20. Sam Bernstrom.

Illawarra

1.Jordan Pereira, 2. Kalifa Faifai Loa, 3. Patrick Herbert, 4. Matheson Johns, 5. Izaac Thompson, 6. Adam Clune, 7. Jack Payne, 8. Jacob Hind, 9. Jake Marketo, 10. Blake Lawrie, 11. Will Matthews, 12. Luciano Leilua, 13. Hame Sele. Interchange. 14. Sam Clune, 15. Jesse Dee, 16. Josh Kerr, 17. Rhys Kennedy, 21. Kal Collins.

Match Analysis

Reserve Grade Newcastle Knights coach Simon Woolford has left his side unchanged for the clash against Illawarra.

He has continued to put faith in halves combination Jack Cogger and Jaelen Feeney.

“I thought they did a pretty good job and they did some nice things,” Woolford stated.

“The defence put us under a bit of pressure at times and we didn’t handle it so we’ve looked at that and looked at ways we can do that better this week if Illawarra look to defend the same.”

Despite the disappointing two-point loss in the last minute against the North Sydney Bears on Sunday, Woolford admits there were a lot of things he was pleased with.

“We did a lot of things right last week and just let ourselves down at the back end of the game so happy to have the same team and look to improve on what we did last week,” he said.

“We just let ourselves down at crucial times and it was a game we really should have won.

“We have got to let that go now because it’s an important game this week and we’ve got a bye next week.”

Sitting just ahead of Illawarra in eighth place and coming off a crushing defeat to the Penrith Panthers last week, the ISP coach maintains their opponents will be hungry to get the win to leapfrog for a spot further up the ladder.

“We are playing against a team that is pretty desperate,” Woolford explained.

“Eight weeks ago, they were sitting in the top four and now they’re struggling to stay in the top eight.

“We are at home so we need to make sure that we start well and put in our own good performance.”

Woolford believes an advantage over Illawarra is the disruptions they’ve faced over the past two month.

“They have had three or four players go and play in England so their team has been a little bit unsettled and I’d imagine they’re going to improve week to week,” added Woolford.

“They have got a couple of new guys in their halves and some guys in their forward pack that are decent players.

“Blake Lawrie, Luciano Leilua and Hame Sele, these sorts of guys that have had NRL experience so they are the guys we’re going to have to do a good job on that’s for sure.”

Where it will be won

The Reserve Grade coach said they simply need to be better than last week.

“We gave ourselves plenty of opportunities to finish the game off and we were a little out, particularly with our attack,” Woolford admitted.

“It wasn’t as good as it’s been over the past six weeks so we just need to tidy that up.

“Defensively we did another good job so we just maintain that and be a little smarter with the footy and I think we’ll give ourselves a good chance.”


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2017/07/27/reserve_grade_match_.html
 
PREVIEWS | ISP NSW Round 21


Andre Cupido
Fri 28th July, 09:00AM



Newcastle Knights vs. Illawarra
McDonald Jones Stadium, Saturday July 29
12.40pm


The Newcastle Knights and Illawarra will kick off Round 21 of the Intrust Super Premiership NSW with both teams sitting eighth and ninth respectively on the competition ladder, and will be pushing for two valuable competition points after both coming off tough defeats last weekend.

The Knights were unable to continue their hot streak of form with a narrow 18-16 loss to the North Sydney Bears despite the sides scoring three tries apiece in a gutsy performance.

Young fullback Nick Meaney has been a shining light for the Knights this season - adding a significant spark on the end of their clinical attacking raids.

A finals appearance is appearing more and more unlikely for last years premiers as they have struggled to find consistency this season with another heavy defeat to the Penrith Panthers in Round 20.

With dynamic fullback Matt Dufty earning first-grade selection after a starring debut performance against the Manly Sea Eagles, their strike power has taken a crucial blow in the lead up to the finals and will be relying heavily on the likes of Taane Milne and Adam Clune to revive their season.


http://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2017/07/28/previews_isp_nsw_rou.html
 
ISP late mail: Round 21


Sat 29th July, 11:43AM


ISP coach Simon Woolford has finalised his 17 to take on Illawarra.

Mickey Paea comes into the side, while Tyler Randell is out.

Will Pearsall moves into the starting side at dummy-half and Tom Starling comes onto the bench.

The match kicks off at 12.40pm.

Newcastle

1. Nick Meaney
2. Tom Hughes
3. Brendan Elliot
4. Jacob Gagan
5. Thomas Cronan
6. Jaelen Feeney
7. Jack Cogger
15. Faitotoa Faitotoa
14. Will Pearsall
21. Mickey Paea
11. Sam Stone
12. Braden Robson
13. Bradie Smith

8. Tyrone Amey
16. Pat Mata’utia
17. Pasami Saulo
23. Tom Starling


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2017/07/29/isp_round_21.html
 
I wonder if that means Tyler Randell is on his way to England. The English fans seem to think he is, and will play in the 8s series.
 
ISP getting a reality check. Bloody terrible half of footy. Illawarra have scored four to our one
 
HALFTIME - NSW CUP

Illawarra Cutters - 24 (T: Herbert, Payne, Field, Johns; G: Field: 4/4)
Newcastle Knights - 6 (T: Gagan; G: Meaney: 1/1)
 
Game went almost exactly the same as last week.
We dominated everywhere but the scoreboard.
Also gave up a bunch of soft tries to be well behind at halftime, made a big comeback, and got pipped at the post after looking like we would win.
It's like the guys are practising losing close games for when they make firstgrade.
 
FULLTIME - NSW CUP

Illawarra Cutters - 34 (T: Herbert, Payne, Field, Johns, Pereira; G: Field: 5/5, PG: 2/2)
Newcastle Knights - 32 (T: Gagan 2, Feeney 2, Saulo, Cronan; G: Meaney: 4/6)

Heartbreaking to lose like that
 
Field Goals Finish Knights


Simon Masterton (Twitter: @OiSimmo)
Sat 29th July, 02:30PM


Two high-pressure goals from Jai Field have sealed a victory for Illawarra in the Hunter, as the defending premiers defeated the Newcastle Knights 34-32 in one of the Intrust Super Premiership NSW games of the season.

After an early try, the Knights failed to capitalise on significant ball in the opening quarter and would be punished by their opposition in the second - a period of the game which looked likely to determine the result.

Three tries in the space of eight minutes late in the game, however, completed an impressive comeback for Newcastle, who came within inches of a memorable victory.

An offside charge down on a field goal attempt would be the game's deciding moment, however, with Field slotting a difficult penalty goal to keep his side in the top eight.

While Mickey Paea was a welcome addition to the Knights' starting side, Illawarra brought in a host of changes, with Field, Jordan Pereira and Taane Milne added to a new-look back line.

Field and halfback Jack Payne were strong for the Illawarra and the Knights enjoyed some fine work from Jack Cogger, Jaelen Feeney and Nick Meaney.

The sides were relatively even in a high-quality, high-scoring and entertaining match at McDonald Jones stadium.

The home side was quick to get scoring underway, with livewire fullback Nick Meaney crossing the stripe in the first minute of play.

The try came off the back of a 50-metre run in which Meaney sliced through the Illawarra defence and beat Field, converting his own try to lead 6-0 early.

Newcastle enjoyed a long period of possession, denying the chance to add a certain two points when a penalty was awarded in prime position.

When Illawarra got the ball, they made the Knights pay, with some class from halfback Jack Payne finding Luciano Leilua, who in turn offloaded to a flying Patrick Herbert to score. Field converted from out wide to level up scores.

Payne then went back to back with some fine work to score Illawarra's second; chasing through Field's kick from close range, he scored under the posts for Field to easily convert.

After an opening quarter which was all in Newcastle's favour, the visitors led 12-6.

The resurgence of Illawarra continued and their third try came off the back of a fantastic offload from Will Matthews; the second-rower found five-eighth Adam Clune, who got it to brother Sam, with Field then finishing the movement.

The tryscorer then converted and Illawarra led 18 points to six.

As the Knights enjoyed more time on Illawarra's line, they looked likely to add to their tally late in the half, but it was once again Mat Head's men who would score.

The side's three playmakers - Adam Clune, Payne and Field - combined as Matheson Johns eventually took the ball into the south-east corner, with Field maintaining his perfect record with the boot to ensure a 24-6 half-time lead.

The Knights looked a rejuvenated side in the second period and as with the first half, crossed for a try early.

It came via a barnstorming run from Pasami Saulo, who ran through four defenders under the posts.

The conversion brought scores back to 24-12.

Despite repeat sets on Illawarra's line, Newcastle were unable to score yet again before a penalty denied the visitors a possible try soon after.

It gifted Field an easy penalty goal in front as he extended his side's lead beyond two converted tries.

With two competition points on the line, the Knights refused to die wondering and Jaelen Feeney would then score the try of the afternoon.

The five-eighth couldn't be put down and got the ball away, with Brendan Elliot then finding Feeney back on the inside to break through and score.

Sheer brilliance from Knights winger Thomas Cronan continued the comeback, chasing down a Cogger grubber and despite the attempts of Field to see him off, Cronan managed to plant the ball down.

While the conversion attempt sailed wide, the Newcastle men trailed 26-22 with 15 minutes remaining.

In the ensuing passage of play, the Knights had the chance to level scores and made no mistake, with Cogger once again kicking into the south-western corner and a fortunate bounce finding Jacob Gagan in the in-goal.

After another missed conversion, the Knights scored a third try in quick succession, once again through Feeney in the middle.

Meaney easily added the extras and for the first time, Newcastle enjoyed a six-point lead.

In a frantic finish, however, momentum was swinging wildly and Illawarra managed to score again through Pereira; Adam Clune chipped it to the man named at fullback who did well to take the ball and score.

With a fantastic, high-pressure conversion from Field, scores were once again level at 32 points apiece.

The game could have gone either way in the dying stages and as Herbert lined up for an unlikely field goal from 40 metres out, he was charged down by an offside Newcastle defence.

That set up another pressure attempt at goal from Field, who calmly slotted it between the uprights to secure an important two competition points.


http://www.nswrl.com.au/news/2017/07/29/report_newcastle_kni.html
 
We could use Jack Cogger's kicking game in first. It would be worthwhile giving him a few games in first grade this year.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
ISP Knights beaten on the bell


Sat 29th July, 11:43AM


The Reserve Grade Newcastle Knights were just pipped at the post, 34-32 by Illawarra at McDonald Jones Stadium on Saturday afternoon.

Despite an instant opening try from the Knights, Illawarra recovered quickly to pile on 24 points by half time. Despite a 26-point comeback in the second stanza, a penalty kick just before the siren saw the Knights go down by two-points.

The starting siren barely sounded before Knights fullback Nick Meaney crossed over. He converted his own try for Newcastle to lead 6-0.

In the 22nd minute, a handy off-load to Patrick Herbert saw him cross over for Illawarra’s first. Jai Field booted the conversion to level it 6-all.

Minutes later Illawarra’s Jack Payne followed a clever grubber to ground it in-goal before a sneaky pass out the back gave the visitors a clear run to the line as Field finished it off five minutes before half time to lead 18-6.

In the last 30 seconds, Illawarra pushed their lead further going out wide to Matheson Johns. The kick was good and the visitors went into the break 24-6 in front.

In the 45th minute, Pasami Saulo muscled his way through several defenders to get his second try in ISP. The Knights trailed 24-12.

A penalty allowed Field to kick for two points for Illawarra before Newcastle five-eighth Jaelen Feeney came charging through with an impressive try in the 57th minute. Meaney nailed the conversion for the home side to be down 26-18.

The Knights continued to close the gap as winger Thomas Cronan reached out to ground a handy grubber 64 minutes in, before minutes later Jacob Gagan gathered the crumbs of a high kick to slam the ball across the line and level the scores 26-all.

In the 71st minute, Feeney got himself in a handy position to take the ball and sprint it to the line. Meaney booted the conversion to see the Knights take the lead, 32-26.

Illawarra quickly replied via fullback Jordan Pereira to level the scores at 32-all before a penalty saw Field kick for the lead. Illawarra win 34-32.

SUMMARY

Newcastle Knights 32 (T: Meaney, Saulo, Feeney 2, Cronan, Gagan, G: Meaney 4/6)
Illawarra 34 (T: Herbert, Payne, Field, Johns, Pereira, G: Field 5/5, PG: Field 2/2)

TEAMS

Newcastle

1. Nick Meaney, 2. Tom Hughes, 3. Brendan Elliot, 4. Jacob Gagan, 5. Thomas Cronan, 6. Jaelen Feeney, 7. Jack Cogger, 15. Faitotoa Faitotoa, 14. Will Pearsall, 21. Mickey Paea, 11. Sam Stone, 12. Braden Robson, 13. Bradie Smith. Interchange: 8. Tyrone Amey, 16. Pat Mata’utia, 17. Pasami Saulo, 23. Tom Starling.

Illawarra

20.Jordan Pereira, 19. Jai Field, 3. Patrick Herbert, 4. Matheson Johns, 21. Taane Milne, 6. Adam Clune, 7. Jack Payne, 8. Jacob Hind, 14. Samuel Clune, 10. Blake Lawrie, 11. Will Matthews, 12. Luciano Leilua, 13. Hame Sele. Interchange. 15. Jesse Dee, 16. Joshua Kerr, 17. Rhys Kennedy, 18. Cooper Purcell.


http://www.newcastleknights.com.au/news/2017/07/29/isp_round_21.html
 
Can't put my finger on where it went wrong, seemed to be in charge the whole game but not on the scoreboard, another close loss, need to convert these into wins.
 
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