Newcastle set to trial new combinations in preseason clash with St George Illawarra
Newcastle coach Nathan Brown will use a preseason hitout against St George Illawarra to test his revamped 1-6-7 combination in a game that could double as Corey Norman’s first appearance as a Dragon.
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Newcastle are set to unleash their new-look spine in a Kogarah Oval clash which could also double as Corey Norman’s first appearance as a Dragon.
Newcastle and St George Illawarra will feature a revamped 1-6-7 combination with the sides to square off in a pre-season trial at Kogarah Oval on February 23. Knights coach Nathan Brown is planning to use Connor Watson, Kalyn Ponga and Mitchell Pearce during the team’s two pre-season hit-outs as they look to develop their new combinations.
Watson (groin) and Ponga (ankle) returned to full training before Christmas.
While Ponga’s move to five-eighth has been highly publicised, Brown has thrown his support behind Watson making the No. 1 jersey his own.
“Fullback certainly works for Connor,” Brown said. “There is no debate about that one. When we bought him, Moons (former head of football Darren Mooney) was on a lot about Connor. Sometimes it’s a matter of getting these players and working it out.”
David Klemmer could also make his first appearance for the Knights. Pearce — who praised Newcastle’s recruitment ability- tipped a big season for Watson.
“Connor hasn’t really found his position yet,” Pearce said. “I always believed in him as a fullback. I loved him as a five-eighth but I believe he will be one of our better players and one of the better players in the completion at fullback.
“I’m super excited (about the season). There is a real buzz. The club has done an unbelievable job in recruiting. I can’t see too many clubs who have hit the mark in a short period of time like the Knights have. I came here realising the club is on the up.”
Brown knows the new recruits will come with added pressure.
“Much better to have expectation than not have it,” Brown said. “Someone said to me when we signed Dave Klemmer that there is a lot more pressure on me now. Well I’d much rather have Dave Klemmer than not have him. With that comes pressure. We feel James Gavet is as good a signing as Tim (Glasby) and Klemmer in different ways. That’s helped the middle part of the field. We feel like we have more size and pace in the backs.
“That adds pressure to all of us in particularly when you’re the head coach. Your name is the one that gets bandied more with the pressure. I understand that.
“As a group all I know is we’re very comfortable our squad has got a lot stronger like we were last year. Last year we made some significant improvement to where we were the year before. Our expectations (are) we can make the same type of improvements again.”
St George Illawarra also head into the 2019 season with question marks regarding their spine. Norman is expected to play in the No. 6 jersey alongside Ben Hunt in the halves leaving skipper Gareth Widdop to play fullback. Local product Matt Dufty will be left to fight for a spot in the 17 having started at fullback in all but one of St George Illawarra’s matches last year.
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Originally published as Newcastle set to trial new combinations in preseason clash with St George Illawarra
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