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Johns: Wooden spoon chances mean Knights must beat the Storm
Nicholas Quinlan • July 12th, 2025 11:08 am
SEN’s Matty Johns believes that the Knights must win against the Melbourne Storm or face the consequences of a potential wooden spoon finish.
After sneaking into finals last year, the Knights have been exposed on attack throughout this season, having scored 237 points across 16 games (average of 14.81 points per game), which is the worst in the competition. As a result, they find themselves 13th on the ladder.
And with their two leading point scorers in Kalyn Ponga and Fletcher Sharpe out for the remainder of the home and away season, this only adds to their attacking woes.
With a clash up against the Melbourne Storm on Saturday, who have scored the most points with 485 over 15 games (32.33 per game), it could spell grave concerns for whatever remained of the finals hopes.
So much so that the 1997 Premiership winner with Newcastle thinks that the Knights could have one eye on finishing in 17th if they lose.
“They’ve got to win this, the Knights,” Johns said on SEN’s Morning Glory with Matty Johns.
“They’ve got to find a way to win this, not just for morale, but if they lose this one again, honestly, they’ve got one eye on the wooden spoon.
“There’s such a difference in morale when you’re still an outside chance compared to the other way.”
Denan Kemp would be in agreement with Johns believing that the Knights are more focused on 2026.
“Unfortunately, it feels like top down, it’s just filtered through that we’re all waiting for next year,” Kemp said.
If the Knights can get past the Storm, they still face tough competition to make the finals yet again. They still have to face two more top-four sides in the Raiders and Warriors before their bye in Round 22.
After that, they still have finals contenders in the Broncos, Panthers, Sharks and Cowboys to play before concluding their home and away season against the Eels.
