Knights seek to gain momentum

Tuesday, 5 August 2003 - Newcastle Knights

Knights Coach, Michael Hagan, will welcome the return of outside backs Anthony Quinn and Craig Hall to his team as he searches for further improvement in this Saturday night's must-win game against the North Queensland Cowboys.

The addition of Quinn and Hall allows Kurt Gidley to resume his partnership with Andrew Johns at five-eighth and sees Josh Smith return to First Division.

While expecting these changes to bolster the team, Hagan is also looking for some improvement in his forward pack for the Cowboys clash.

After emerging, relatively unscathed, from the weekend match, the team's starting pack will play together for only the third time this year in Townsville.

Speaking today, Michael Hagan said the team was focussed on steadily gaining momentum in the run-in to the semi final series.

“I'm not expecting miracles over night, but I am expecting to team to show improvements in key areas as September draws nearer,” he said.”

“A large number of our players have missed substantial chunks of the season and they will necessarily require a few games to get up to speed.”

“There were certainly plenty of positives coming out of last week's game, with Ben Kennedy getting through a full 80 minutes after a month off and both Steve Simpson and Matt Parsons gaining some valuable game-time.”

“We will certainly need to be at our best this Saturday, because the Cowboys have been in virtually every match they've contested this year. Graham Murray obviously has them playing to their potential and I am expecting a typically tough encounter on Saturday.”

The Knights team will depart on Thursday morning for the trip north, which will allow for a final training session in Townsville on Friday.

Knights Coach, Michael Hagan, will welcome the return of outside backs Anthony Quinn and Craig Hall to his team as he searches for further improvement in this Saturday night's must-win game against the North Queensland Cowboys.

The addition of Quinn and Hall allows Kurt Gidley to resume his partnership with Andrew Johns at five-eighth and sees Josh Smith return to First Division.

While expecting these changes to bolster the team, Hagan is also looking for some improvement in his forward pack for the Cowboys clash.

After emerging, relatively unscathed, from the weekend match, the team's starting pack will play together for only the third time this year in Townsville.

Speaking today, Michael Hagan said the team was focussed on steadily gaining momentum in the run-in to the semi final series.

“I'm not expecting miracles over night, but I am expecting to team to show improvements in key areas as September draws nearer,” he said.”

“A large number of our players have missed substantial chunks of the season and they will necessarily require a few games to get up to speed.”

“There were certainly plenty of positives coming out of last week's game, with Ben Kennedy getting through a full 80 minutes after a month off and both Steve Simpson and Matt Parsons gaining some valuable game-time.”

“We will certainly need to be at our best this Saturday, because the Cowboys have been in virtually every match they've contested this year. Graham Murray obviously has them playing to their potential and I am expecting a typically tough encounter on Saturday.”

The Knights team will depart on Thursday morning for the trip north, which will allow for a final training session in Townsville on Friday.

Knights Coach, Michael Hagan, will welcome the return of outside backs Anthony Quinn and Craig Hall to his team as he searches for further improvement in this Saturday night's must-win game against the North Queensland Cowboys.

The addition of Quinn and Hall allows Kurt Gidley to resume his partnership with Andrew Johns at five-eighth and sees Josh Smith return to First Division.

While expecting these changes to bolster the team, Hagan is also looking for some improvement in his forward pack for the Cowboys clash.

After emerging, relatively unscathed, from the weekend match, the team's starting pack will play together for only the third time this year in Townsville.

Speaking today, Michael Hagan said the team was focussed on steadily gaining momentum in the run-in to the semi final series.

“I'm not expecting miracles over night, but I am expecting to team to show improvements in key areas as September draws nearer,” he said.”

“A large number of our players have missed substantial chunks of the season and they will necessarily require a few games to get up to speed.”

“There were certainly plenty of positives coming out of last week's game, with Ben Kennedy getting through a full 80 minutes after a month off and both Steve Simpson and Matt Parsons gaining some valuable game-time.”

“We will certainly need to be at our best this Saturday, because the Cowboys have been in virtually every match they've contested this year. Graham Murray obviously has them playing to their potential and I am expecting a typically tough encounter on Saturday.”

The Knights team will depart on Thursday morning for the trip north, which will allow for a final training session in Townsville on Friday.

NEWCASTLE v COWBOYS AT DAIRY FARMERS STADIUM

7.30PM SATURDAY, 9 AUGUST 2003

FIRST GRADE

Coach: Michael Hagan

Mark Hughes Craig Hall Matthew Gidley Adam MacDougall Anthony Quinn Kurt Gidley Andrew Johns (c) Josh Perry Danny Buderus Matt Parsons Steve Simpson Daniel Abraham Ben Kennedy Interchange: Matthew Jobson Sean Rudder Todd Lowrie Matthew Kennedy Reegan Tanner