It was a wayward statement that should have been more careful constructed given the location of its posting. Let me say firstly, that the Knights are my most favoured NSW team, 1988 was a great year and introduced the NRL’s two finest clubs imo.
However, my concern for in 2009 is one that existed for the Knights in 05’ and ’07, that being injuries. The depth of the Knights could well be one of the strongest in the NRL, but this is the league where winning it all requires a great deal of luck on the injury front to go all the way. The Knights won comprehensively last Saturday with $1mill on the sideline, unfortunately a sizeable portion of that money will remain there for most of the season – Cross and Ciraldo. It would be great to replace Cross with Royal and White, but nobody could forecast what was going to happen to Cross. There is present depth to somewhat replace Cross in Tolar, Wicks (unproven), Taufua (backrower), Fa'aoso & Natusch (too green), but it is a large loss.
Sau appears to be a ticking time-bomb, likely to play out the rest of the season with the aid of painkillers thanks to his sternum. But obviously the largest concern must be Mullen.
To go all the way this year the Knights must have the Mullen / Dureau combination at their disposal imo. Mullen could replicate Benji’s performance in ‘05 (sorry for the comparison – Benji is overpaid, perhaps Hilder is the better example), when he played out the Tigers winning season with a questionable shoulder. Or, he could miss games if that shoulder can’t see out the season (including rep exposure). I hope he does; the Knights must surely rate as one of the most attractive teams to watch this year.
It’s far too early in the season to be thinking Grand Final, but I had to elaborate upon my earlier comment.
I know some of you guys don’t like these reports, but if there is any truth to the $45k some bloke has on the Knights at $23 to win it all ($990,000), fark I wish I was him even if only for the hedging opportunity come finals time. Tinkler, you’re a lucky man, we know it’s you…
And AB, you are killing it this season 
) at the any depth comment. However, apart from Cross and Ciraldo, they were also without Tolar, Naiquama, Patterson, Vuna and Rogers.
jeepers !
what was it a muscular / ligament problem ?
Not even. The wound from an old op never really healed properly. Anyway, somewhere along the way, something has gotten into the wound and, over time the wound closed. Unbeknown for ages, an abcess formed under the skin. When it reached the spine area it had nowhere to go, so it took the path of least resistance towards the skin.
Painful. Now I have a 4cm deep hole in my back.
I have to have another op in 2 months to get the rest of the tissue removed.
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