Knights know Smith and Slater the key the victory in Melbourne

STORM’S reshuffling in the halves in search of the person to replace Cooper Cronk doesn’t have Newcastle under any illusions that AAMI Park will be an easier proposition.

STORM’S reshuffling in the halves in search of the person to replace Cooper Cronk doesn’t have Newcastle under any illusions AAMI Park will be an easier proposition tonight.

They still have two of the best players in the competition and Knights co-captain Jamie Buhrer said shutting down Billy Slater and Cameron Smith will be one of the key jobs for his team.

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“They’re (Melbourne) not going to make the changes without confidence in Ryley Jacks to come in and do a job,” Buhrer said.

Daniel Saifiti is among the forwards who will need to work hard on Cameron Smith. Pic: Ashley Feder/Getty Images

“He’s proven in the limited games that he’s been able to play down there that he’s more than capable of filling those shoes.

“They’ve got Billy and Cameron still in the team, two of the best to have played the game, so they’re always going to be able to take pressure off whatever halves pairing comes in.”

With Cronk no longer calling the shots at halfback, Buhrer said the experience of Smith and Slater has seen them absorb some of the pressure on their six and seven as the team settles on a new pairing in the halves.

Tonight’s game is the first of three straight away trips for Newcastle with the club one from three on the road this season. But two wins at home have them seventh on the ladder, two places ahead of the defending premiers.

Smith’s experience helps take the pressure off the halves. Pic: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images

The Knights have reshuffled too, them in the forward pack because of Mitch Barnett’s suspension. As well as shutting down Storm’s massive pack, the Newcastle big men will also look to nullify Smith around the ruck and better their chances at a win and possible move further up the ladder.

“Even though he’s always been the main controller of their team, Cameron Smith, he’s taking even more of an approach with the ball. He’s doing a lot of their ball-playing around the line, even more so I suppose than in past years,” Buhrer said.

Slater is a constant threat at the back. Pic: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images

“With that, we’re going to have to concentrate a bit more on Cameron and make sure we shut him down and put more pressure on their halves to do a lot of the work because we all know how good Cameron is.”

It is also about staying in the game, though, with Buhrer highlighting that Newcastle’s wins have come on the back of a disciplined performance.

“I think the three games we’ve won this year we’ve completed around 85 per cent and we’ve applied ourselves and showed intent in defence,” he said.

“As long as we’re doing those two things I’m confident we’ve got the calibre of player to finish games off for us.”

Originally published as Knights know Smith and Slater the key the victory in Melbourne