It’s time for Daniel Saifiti to become Knights’ next Paul Harragon

What the Knights would do for the second coming of Paul Harragon.

Tough, no-nonsense and a leader who inspires his team and says to his troops, “follow me” when things are tough.

Paul Harragon was an influential leader for the Knights in the 90s, and Daniel Saifiti needs that kind of stature now. Credit:Getty, Fairfax archive

How the Cowboys can win

We’re starting to see the Cowboys’ true colours under rookie coach Todd Payten.

They’ve been OK the last month. They’ve had some really good second halves, coming back against the Raiders and the Broncos in recent weeks.

Then, last weekend, they really ruffled the Roosters’ feathers when they came within two points with 20 minutes to go. The 30-16 scoreline didn’t reflect how close they came to an upset win.

Jason Taumalolo crashes over for the Cowboys.Credit:Getty

If they can repeat anywhere near that form against Newcastle, they simply win.

They have a big three weeks ahead of them: the Knights tonight, the Warriors at home and then they have a bye.

How the Knights can win

There’s been another shuffle in their spine with fullback Tex Hoy out injured. Blake Green will come into the halves and Kurt Mann will drop back to fullback.

Once again, the Knights have disrupted combinations in key positions.

Kalyn Ponga is a big loss for the Knights.Credit:Getty

The question mark for me is where will the points come from?

They are just waiting, begging for injured star fullback Kalyn Ponga to return from injury. It’s very similar to Manly when Tom Trbojevic is playing.

Ponga’s presence provides so much confidence to the rest of the team.

It also takes the defenders’ eyes off the ball-players because Ponga commands so much attention.

The one Knights player who can hold his head high is Tyson Frizell.

He’s tried his heart out for his new club. The other forwards have to find that extra 10 per cent in their game and go along with him, especially David Klemmer.

He was brought to the club to become an enforcer; that play-one front-rower. He needs to intimidate more and lay the platform for his halves.

Klemmer is the one player who needs to lift.

Player to watch

I’ve been impressed this year with Reece Robson, the Cowboys’ hooker.

He’s really quick out of dummy half, he’s got a big motor and always plays big minutes.

He’s got a good rotation happening with Jake Granville off the bench.

Watch for Robson to get out of dummy half and run after Jason Taumalolo charges forward.

Joey’s playbook

Size, speed, ball skills … Jason Taumalolo has it all.Credit:Getty

Taumalolo is always devastating – but particularly when he’s on the right-side of the ruck.

He comes off this right foot and gets in behind the markers.

He’s a genetic freak. For someone of that size, to get to top speed in two or three steps, and the agility of a 90kg halfback, is very hard to stop.

You can see it coming. Stopping it is another matter.

The verdict

On recent form, it’s hard to go past the Cowboys.

They’re building as a team. Whenever Taumalolo plays, they are just so hard to beat at home.

It will be a warm night in Townsville, about 28 degrees, and that suits the home side.

Possession will be key. Their five-eighth, Scott Drinkwater, has been really impressive with his kicking game and he’ll turn the Knights around all night.

I just wonder where the Knights’ points are going to come from. At most, I see them scoring 10 to 12 points. The Cows could run in three tries per half.

Of course, there’s going to be a lot of focus on the head high edict from the NRL.

For every reaction there’s always a consequence. If we’re going to encourage players to tackle low, be prepared for players to be concussed while tackling low.

When I was playing, I went in low at the hips, trying to cut players in half. Most of my concussions came from hitting hips and elbows.

It will be interesting as we watch how the next few weeks play out.

JOEY’S TIP: Cowboys by 14.
FIRST TRY-SCORER: Scott Drinkwater.
MAN OF THE MATCH: Jason Taumalolo.

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