News Archive
2009
2008
Storm wary of Knights mind games for clash
The Age
Saturday July 4, 2009
MELBOURNE back-rower Ryan Hoffman reckons there might be a bit of a smokescreen over the Newcastle team that takes on the Storm in the National Rugby League round-17 clash at Olympic Park tonight.Hoffman was quick with his reply yesterday when asked about the image portrayed by Newcastle coach Brian Smith of a battered and ill Knights outfit that has had virtually no preparation this week. "That's a very experienced coach in Brian Smith," Hoffman said.But Newcastle, which had a tough 25-20 win over South Sydney last Monday, arrived in Melbourne yesterday without back-rower Steve Simpson, who has been struggling with the flu, and veteran centre Adam MacDougall, who has yet to fully recover from a knee injury despite playing against the Rabbitohs.Both players have been ruled out - with Smith dismissing any suggestion they could fly to Melbourne today if required - but Knights captain Kurt Gidley, who has also been struggling with the flu, was with the team yesterday and will have a late test this afternoon.Hoffman said that Newcastle, which trails the fourth-placed Storm by just one competition point, would be dangerous, especially with Gidley on the field."I don't think it's going to change Newcastle's attitude," Hoffman said. "They had a really gritty win and they're coming off a short preparation and I'm sure they're going to use the momentum and put in a tough performance (like) Monday night."Kurt Gidley on the paddock is probably one of the most inspirational players in the game and I'm sure Newcastle will be looking to him because he's been in great form."But Smith said the Knights have had a poor preparation."We've had (no training)," he said. "We had a Monday night game, so we hardly ever do anything anyway but (on Thursday) out of our squad of 31, I think we had 16 guys train . . . so we're relying on what we've done throughout the course of (the) pre-season and season to somehow or other cobble it together (tonight)."Hoffman said the Storm players had been hard on themselves after the disappointing defensive display against Canberra last weekend, suffering a 26-16 upset loss that left Melbourne three points adrift of the leading pack. "It was a very much un-Melbourne-like defensive performance and that is something we've been working hard at this week," Hoffman said. "It (last weekend) was a complacent sort of attitude. We pride ourselves at the Melbourne Storm that we play anyone, anywhere, under any conditions and we didn't do that on the weekend.". . . We want to stay in the top four and we know if we slip up here we could find ourselves out of (it). It's a pride thing for us and it's a pride thing for them."
© 2009 The Age
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