Knights to zero in on Storm stars
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 Innisfail junior Billy Slater and Cameron Smith will be one of the key jobs for his team.
“Melbourne aren’t going to make the changes without confidence in Ryley Jacks to come in and do a job,” Buhrer said. “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 allowed them to 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.
On top of 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.
“He’s doing a lot of their ball-playing around the line, even more so, I suppose, than in past years,” Buhrer said.