sport, local-sport, Jesse Ramien, Newcastle Knights

He is the much-hyped, boom young centre many predicted would play Origin this year given his massive debut season in the NRL with the Sharks in 2018. But 18 rounds in, Jesse Ramien's inconsistent form for the Knights this season has been laid bare after a game he will want to forget in a hurry in Newcastle's 48-10 capitulation against the Sydney Roosters at the SCG. With so much expected of Ramien, the Knights were already talking about upgrading and extending his two year deal with the club before a ball was kicked in 2019. But any thoughts of an upgrade have been put on the back-burner for the time being with the 22-year old struggling for confidence and consistency. After his dismal performance in the big loss to the Roosters, Ramien is expected to come under scrutiny this week when coach Nathan Brown and his support staff sit down and come up with a squad to take on Wests Tigers in a must-win clash at McDonald Jones Stadium. He is likely to be spared from the axe for the Tigers but only because injuries have contributed to a lack of depth in the outside backs. Ramien's tale of woe against the Roosters started 25 minutes in when he butchered a certain try after dropping a ball cold backing up a break by Kalyn Ponga following a great Mitch Barnett off-load and some neat work from Kurt Mann. The Knights trailed 6-0 at the time after weathering a fast start from the Roosters. Then just after halftime with his side on the attack near the Roosters' try-line, he grubbered into the feet of rival centre Latrell Mitchell, who trapped the ball and ran 90 metres to score untouched. Why he found himself in possession on the last tackle with little room to move in down a shot side is a question for the side's playmakers but his execution of the kick left a lot to be desired and cost his side big time. But it wasn't just his attack that was off on Saturday, he was also exposed defensively with the Roosters scoring tries to Boyd Cordner and Siosiua Taukeiaho down his right edge with backrower Mitch Barnett also struggling in that area. While Ramien has had his moments this season, he has struggled for any sort of consistency. A fortnight ago against the Warriors, he made a 30 metre bust that ultimately led to a try but finished the match with four handling errors. READ MORE: Newcastle Knights A lack of opportunities in games earlier in the season and speculation surrounding his future due to uncertainty over his management haven't helped his transition to his new club. There has been talk of him wanting out of the second year of his contract with suggestions he has people telling him he is being paid well under market value and should be earning far more. Ramien has publicly denied he is unhappy and unsettled but he is playing like someone who is battling to enjoy his footy and it would appear all that head noise is having an impact on his performances.

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