Rubbish.

We practically BEGGED Peter Gentle to be our coach. After he did the dirty on us, Moore, Wrigley & Cameron all turnd us down flat 'cos we only want to pay minimum wage with a bag of wine gums on offer as a win bonus.

Oh, and who's Craig Sanderson?

Sportstalk tonight, try Listen Again on Iplayer.

Ta, will do. I will get back to this topic.

You're actually considering getting a bee in your bonnet about this?

Let us know whether it turns out to be exaggeration or misrepresentation, then.

Very perceptive MR.

I'm disappointed in what you imply, Sir. Just for clarity, here are the direct quotes:

Simon Clark "Now that Craig's in place, what have you told him are his objectives? Rovers were 7th this year, where will they be next year?"

Mike Smith: "We need to be a top 4 side. We know that. The fans have been very patient."

Can't be much clearer than that.

There is an awful lot of rubbish being spouted on this thread. Craig Sandercock was not a second choice and neither was Moore discarded over a dodgy test result. Sandercock stood out (sorry for the pun) because he ticked all of the boxes, and the decision to appoint him was unanimous.

As for being a cheap option, I dont know and I dont care, just as long as he is value for money.

On the comments made by our illustrious CEO, I think he was suffering not only from waffl-itis but also jet-lag. I dont believe a word that comes out of his mouth and wish Hudge would get rid.

Real excited now the announcement has been made - I think we've got a great chance to kick on under this guy

Knights official response. www.newcastleknights.com.au/defa ... ton-rovers

Knights official response. www.newcastleknights.com.au/defa ... ton-rovers

The Knights mentioned his work with Aku Uate, and I mentioned it earlier in the thread, but I think it's worth saying exactly what he achieved with Aku.

When Sandercock came to the club Aku had played maybe half a dozen games of firstgrade over 2 years and had a reputation for making massive stuff ups on the field. He was a 6'4" 105kg Fijian who could run 100 metres in sub 11 seconds, but you'd hold your breath any time a kick or a play went his way, because he could do anything. He had the shyness common to Melanesians and had learnt English only a few years before and could barely read and write.
Sandercock was able to use his communication skills from his time as a school teacher to teach Aku all the things that no one else had been able to get across to him over his four years in the Knights system, and almost immediately Aku became a regular firstgrader and finished the season as top tryscorer in the NRL and Dally M winger of the year. In his second year under Sandercock he is pretty much undisputed best winger in the world. Admittedly, Aku has more God given gifts than any player i've ever seen - he hits the line like a prop and is the fastest player in the NRL - but he was a poor reserve grader two years ago.