Skip to Content. Skip to Navigation.
League

News

We don't fear Storm

Knights: We don't fear Storm

03/20/2010 05:06:56 AM

Newcastle coach Rick Stone said two home wins over Melbourne in the past two seasons has the Knights confident heading into Saturday night's Round 2 NRL clash against the Storm at EnergyAustralia Stadium.

The Knights scored a tight 17-16 victory in Newcastle in 2008 and followed that up with a barnstorming 26-14 victory over the Storm last season and Stone is hoping to keep the record going against the reigning premiers.

"It is hard to play Melbourne at any time because they are such a consistent team, but we had a bit of success against them at home in the last few years, which gives us some confidence," Stone said.

"But they haven't been in the grand final for the last four years for nothing."

"They have shown they can win on the road and win at home and they have shown they can get up for the big games, so I don't think the occasion is going to stress them out too much - they have been in situations like this plenty of times before. So I think Melbourne will be ready, there's no doubt about it."

"But we've done our homework and hopefully we've done enough for the boys to know everything they can throw at us."

And while Stone admits an expectant big Newcastle crowd won't worry the Storm he is hopeful it will have a big affect on the Knights players.

"Coming back home is good for our enthusiasm and our attitude. We really enjoy playing there, we're comfortable there and the crowd gets behind us," Stone said.

"We've spoken in the past and we've probably spoken about it before the weekend, about engaging the crowd and getting them into the game."

"We'll talk about the little things that do engage our crowd and help us lift by getting the crowd in the game early."

"From there if we keep producing the sort of efforts they're looking for, it keeps them in the game and you get a real home-ground advantage out of that."

And while Stone said the crowd would be big factor he said the Knights performance would hinge on the mental preparation of his players and following a strict game plan.

"Minimising their big player opportunities is probably the key for us," he said.

"Mentally it's a big one for us. Physically we can get up there to that particular level again and show the type of resolve we showed last week and the unity and the pride and the raw desire to be really competitive and win those little one percent sort of contests. That's our goal."

Stone said the return of veteran Adam MacDougall and hooker Isaac De Gois was also a big boost for the Knights.

"They are two really good players to get back in the team particular for a big game like this. So I am really happy to have those guys back in the team," he said.

"Issac had a good little cameo last week in the NSW Cup. And Doog can be as dangerous as anyone on the park."

"He (MacDougall) looks after himself pretty well and does a lot of his own training he is confident he is ready to play and I have no reason to doubt him he has been doing it for a while when he says he can play he usually turns in a pretty big game for us."

"So I am really looking forward to seeing him play and he will add some extra strike to our backline and I am looking forward to him getting some ball."

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images
Page12»

You Might Also Like

Most Read Articles

De Boer rules out Liverpool move
De Boer rules out Liverpool move
Football
05/21/2012 11:07:09 AM
Ajax manager Frank de Boer has pledged his loyalty to the club despite reported interest ...
 
 
Is it too late to make the eight?
AFL
05/20/2012 09:38:56 PM
 
Sharks hit Bulldogs brick wall
League
05/21/2012 11:01:27 AM
 
Sharks snare major sponsor
League
05/21/2012 08:34:15 AM
 
Rabbitohs unearth rookie gold
League
05/20/2012 08:32:16 PM
 
Judd: Murphy a huge loss
AFL
05/21/2012 04:27:22 AM
 
Chelsea set new manager date
Football
05/20/2012 06:59:42 PM
 
Murphy, Hodge to miss a month
AFL
05/21/2012 08:01:07 AM
 
 
 

Fantasy NRL: Most Popular Players

Our Say

Adam's the apple in Souths' eyes
Adam Lucius
Not since the club was dumped from the NRL more than a decade ago have South Sydney fans ...more
Luke Buttigieg
Blues making no friends in Melbourne
Luke Buttigieg
New South Wales will have few friends among the locals when they take on Queensland in ...more
 

Galleries

NRL- The Year So Far
7/05/2012 11:30:06 AM
The NRL season is off to a flying start. Melbourne Storm are 9-0, the Cowboys are one of the highest scoring teams and the Eels are in need of a win or 3. So let’s look at the best photos of the first 9 rounds. Sit back , take some time off and enjoy.
Photos of the Week
28/11/2011 3:33:38 PM
The golf season is getting into full swing; A League is continuing plus heaps more. So take a break from work and look thought the photo gallery of the week’s best sporting action.