Round 4
Newcastle Knights 26 d. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 12

2009 NRL Telstra Premiership Index [Table] [Draw] [Player Stats] [Club Headlines]

Location: Aus_NZ > National > First Grade Competition: NRL Telstra Premiership

Preview: Knights v Sea Eagles - NRL Round 4
Sun April 5, 2009
In better times Manly would have been virtually unbackable against a Newcastle side that has been decimated by injury but after their 0-3 loss to the season there has been little evidence of the Sea Eagles emerging from their slump.

Fullback Brett Stewart is still a week away from making a comeback, while centre Jamie Lyon will miss the match after damaging a knee in last Monday night's loss to Penrith.

Admittedly the Sea Eagles played under adverse conditions at Brookvale last Monday night but there was a distinct absence of the intensity and urgency that marked Manly's rise to premiership honours in 2008.

Newcastle already have more than half a team unavailable because of injury, with talented second-rower Cory Paterson the latest to be added to the list after injuring his ankle against the Rabbitohs last week.

The Knights have lost both of their daytime games this season and flagged noticeably at Bluetongue Stadium after backing up from their Monday night victory over Cronulla in round two.

It is Manly who will have to contend with the Monday night factor this week and like the teams that have preceded them on the Monday turnaround this season they could struggle after halftime.

Look to a Newcastle try as First Scoring Play ($2-35) and consider a Knights/Sea Eagles ($6-50) or a Sea Eagles/Knights outcome in the Half/Full Double ($7-50).

First Tryscoring chances rest with James McManus ($13), Akuila Uate ($13) or Junior Sau ($15) for the Knights or Michael Robertson ($15), Michael Bani ($13) or Steve Matai ($15) for Manly.

Sunday April 5, 2009
Newcastle Knights vs Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles at Energy Australia Stadium, New Lambton, Newcastle (NSW)

Newcastle Knights
1 Kurt Gidley (c) 2 James McManus 3 Junior Sau 4 Adam MacDougall 5 Akuila Uate 6 Ben Rogers 7 Scott Dureau 8 Mark Taufua 9 Isaac De Gois 10 Ben Cross 11 Chris Houston 12 Zeb Taia 13 Matt Hilder. Subs: 14 George Ndaira 15 Marvin Karawana 16 Richard Fa'aoso 17 Danny Wicks.

Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles
1 Michael Robertson, 2 Michael Bani, 3 Jamie Lyon, 4 Steve Matai, 5 Shane Neumann, 6 Chris Bailey, 7 Matt Orford [c], 8 Brent Kite, 9 Matt Ballin, 10 Josh Perry, 11 Anthony Watmough, 12 Glenn Hall, 13 Glenn Stewart. Subs: 14 Heath L'Estrange, 15 Jason King, 16 Adam Cuthbertson, 17 George Rose, 18 Shane Rodney (one to be omitted).

Date: Sun April 5 2009, 3:00PM AEST GMT+10 [Sun April 5 2009, 5:00AM GMT]
Referee: Jared Maxwell, Alan Shortall

Predictions:
Matthew O'Neill: Sea Eagles by 6
Paul Booth: Knights by 10

OVERALL:
Total Games: 34
Newcastle Knights wins: 14. [Pts: 610]
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles wins: 20. [Pts: 715]
Draws: 0

Biggest wins:
Newcastle Knights: 44 pts: 2004 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 16 - [View] Sun Jun 27: Knights 56 d. Sea Eagles 12 [Crowd: 17967]
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles: 38 pts: 2004 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 23 - [View] Sun Aug 15: Sea Eagles 48 d. Knights 10 [Crowd: 10028]

Biggest Crowd: 1999 National Rugby League - Round 1 - [View] Sat Mar 6: Knights 41 d. Sea Eagles 18 [Crowd: 104583]

Last 50 games against each other form line (most recent matches at end of line):
Newcastle Knights: LLWLLWWWLLLLLLLLLLLWWWWWWLLWWLWLWL
Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles: WWLWWLLLWWWWWWWWWWWLLLLLLWWLLWLWLW

Last 10 games:
2008 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 16 - [View] Sat: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 28 d. Newcastle Knights 12 [Crowd: 13798]
2008 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 2 - [View] Sat: Newcastle Knights 13 d. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 12 [Crowd: 18117]
2007 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 22 - [View] Fri: Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 50 d. Newcastle Knights 16
2006 NRL Telstra Premiership - Finals Week One - [View] Fri: Newcastle Knights 25 d. Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles 18 [Crowd: 23572]
2006 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 23 - [View] Fri: Knights 14 l. Sea Eagles 16 [Crowd: 25105]
2006 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 17 - [View] Fri: Sea Eagles 12 l. Knights 26 [Crowd: 13284]
2005 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 23 - [View] Sun: Knights 22 d. Sea Eagles 14 [Crowd: 26115]
2005 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 15 - [View] Sun: Sea Eagles 48 d. Knights 26 [Crowd: 13685]
2004 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 23 - [View] Sun Aug 15: Sea Eagles 48 d. Knights 10 [Crowd: 10028]
2004 NRL Telstra Premiership - Round 16 - [View] Sun Jun 27: Knights 56 d. Sea Eagles 12 [Crowd: 17967]

NRL Stats: Knights v Sea Eagles
NYC Stats: Knights v Sea Eagles
Knights v Sea Eagles Discussion Thread


Knights hit back with bumper pre sales
Fri April 3, 2009
Source: www.newcastleknights.com.au

The Newcastle Knights are appealing to members and supporters to ignore this week's negative publicity and turn out en masse to the club's biggest day of the year - the first home game of the 2009 Season.

Despite the unfortunate timing of this week's events, ticket sales are continuing to soar at almost double the amount compared to the first home game last year with the people of Newcastle embracing their team's opening encounter at home against the reigning NRL Premiers.

"History shows that when the odds are against the Knights our supporters rally behind their team," said CEO, Steve Burraston.

"The more people at the ground the better the team will perform and with fine weather predicted, we are expecting an absolute blockbuster." he said.

A well publicised breach of confidentiality hit the headlines this week following a decision by Hunter Venues CEO, Mark Zundans to release details of a notice of default served to the club on Monday over unpaid rent.

However, Mr Burraston revealed the club has a counter claim on Hunter Venues for loss of income and maintenance payments in excess of $1-million.

"Indeed separate issues, but running in parallel between the same organisations at the same time and relating to the same stadium." He said

"To isolate only one issue that is in Hunter Venues favour and make it the topic is very disappointing," Mr Burraston said.

"And to deliberately put only that matter into the public arena has been a real kick in the teeth for the Newcastle Knights, our members and supporters."

Mr Burraston added the timing of the leak couldn't be worse as the public stoush continues just days from the Knights first home game of the season.

"We have been negating for months and I would find it hard to believe that the timing of the notice and the leak - in the week of our first home game - is a mere coincidence.

"Particularly when we had agreed only days before, to at least another month before such action, effectively providing a two month negotiating window."

He said despite the confusion caused by Hunter Venue's decision to breach the confidentiality of the default notice and its contents, members and supporters can be assured its business as usual.

"It's a delicate time for us, more so than any previous season. This and the proposed new management structure seriously threaten the Knights survival.

"We have made that clear to Hunter venues, but unfortunately our pleas have fallen on deaf ears, Mr Burraston said."

"Had we received the compensation we believe is rightfully due, the Newcastle Knights would be in a much healthier position for season 2009.

"Now, we're facing reduced income due to the stadium redevelopment, potential consequences of such negative publicity and the prospect of a new management structure from the first of July that would see the Knights $500,000 worse off each year.

"We just can't survive under those conditions.

"Novocastrians are intelligent people who don't appreciate being taken for granted.

"All we're asking for is a fair go and we hope common sense prevails and all parties can work through the issues as sensible business people.

"For now though all attention must turn to the real issue - the football and a great game on Sunday."

Tue March 31, 2009
• Premiers chasing first victory at EnergyAustralia Stadium
  

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