By Alan Nicolea -
June 1st 2009 @ 7:26am
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Jarrod Mullen has hands of god
Andrew John’s conversion from the sideline in the lead-up to yesterday’s encounter between the Knights and the Bulldogs had the necessary effect on Jarrod Mullen, as the Newcastle half emulated the legendary feats of his former captain, to guide his side to a 22-14 upset win against the premiership heavyweights.
Mullen’s virtuoso performance against the Canterbury Bulldogs on Sunday afternoon effectively sums up what was a terrific display from the Newcastle Knights in a game many thought had a Bulldogs victory written all over it.
Indeed Mullen’s showing against the Bulldogs should ensure that NSW halves Peter Wallace and Terry Campese are on their best form when they face the Maroons this Wednesday.
Although one hopes the current Blues halves perform out of their skin to put NSW one nil up in the Origin series, all is not lost if things do go pear shaped.
That is because Mullen has already indicated that he is in career best form and will no doubt be ready to step up to the mantle as the Blues saviour if required.
He certainly was the Knight in shining armour against the Bulldogs.
The 22 year old was in total control as he began marshalling a Knights side that had to withstand seven minutes of constant Bulldogs pressure on their own try line.
Although Newcastle’s defensive performance was impressive, what they did with the ball in hand was sublime, and a testament to their chaotic attitude during an offensive.
As a stern Bulldogs defence rushed up, Mullen produced a gem of a cut out pass that found its way to a flying Keith Lulia.
The Knights centre went on a surging run down field before being tackled just short of the line.
While most halfbacks in the competition would have preferred to go wide, Mullen read the opposition defence beautifully to send forward Richard Fa’aso crashing over under the posts.
The Knights assumed total control of the match from that point, with Mullen at the forefront of their attacking raids.
The NSW discard provided another telling short ball that allowed second rower Zeb Taia to run through a gap and set up a try for replacement half Scott Dureau.
Indeed the Bulldogs were left shell-shocked at halftime, considering they were trailing a Knights side making do without players Kurt Gidley, Steve Simpson and James McManus, by 20 points.
To the Bulldogs credit, they once again managed to display the never say die attitude that nearly garnered them an unlikely result.
From the 50 minute mark of the second half, the Bulldogs went up several gears and scored three successive tries to leave them trailing by just six.
A penalty goal to winger Wes Naiqama however put Newcastle up by eight, which gave them the necessary buffer to stop the Bulldogs from completing another comeback.
While the Belmore club will rue some controversial referring decisions, they were simply not good enough to take advantage of a depleted Newcastle, and will rue not scoring during the opening stanza of the contest.
Brian Smith however will be ecstatic with the way his players, in particular Mullen, are finally producing the necessary skill and belief that should now see them in the running for a possible top four spot.
Indeed Mullen has demonstrated enough with his hands to suggest he has the skills necessary to emulate arguably the greatest league player of all time.
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Brett McKay said | June 1st 2009 @ 10:52am | Report comment
Alan, Mullen to me to the classic example of the modern-day half. A five-eighth in the traditional sense as he came through the ranks, Mullen initially had problems when forced to run the show in the absence of Andrew Johns. Mind you, he wouldn’t be the first Newcastle youngster who struggled when wearing the No.7 temporarily. When he made his SOO debut in 2007, he was still very much in transition from 6 to 7.
But nowadays, he’s showing that the difference between playing at 6 or 7 is minimal, and at times yesterday he was interchanging with Scott Dureau seemlessly. Similarly, his combination with Ben Rogers has been very good, and Rogers takes the pressure off Mullen when needed. It just proves that in the modern game, the number on your back really desn’t mean much any more. Mullen could be a very, very good player within a few years, and he’s already becoming a class above now.
Alan Nicolea said | June 1st 2009 @ 12:15pm | Report comment
Brett
Indeed that cut out pass in the first half is all that is needed to demonstrate the gifted ball playing qualities that Mullen posesses. He is in career best form for mine, and the likes of Wallace and Campese will do well to keep their places if NSW slip up on Wednesday. Here’s hoping they don’t though.
macavity said | June 1st 2009 @ 12:24pm | Report comment
Mullo was good, but it was our forwards who won that one for us.
Taufua, Taia, Houston, Wicks and Fa’aoso were all outstanding.
Alan Nicolea said | June 1st 2009 @ 12:36pm | Report comment
macavity
Housten is another player that could force his way into the NSW side if things go pearshaped in Origin 1. Fa’aoso is in great form at the moment and he has once again reminded me why i was so sad to see the Roosters of all clubs let him go in 2006. The Eels must be feeling the same emotions about Zeb Taia. Overall, the Knights have brought really well and are rolling along nicely.
Greg Russell said | June 1st 2009 @ 2:39pm | Report comment
Was Mullen considered for the position on the NSW bench that Craig Wing has got? Mullen started off the season playing at 14 for Newcastle, and Warren Ryan constantly stressed how superbly he handled it. In fact it could be argued that it was Mullen’s efforts from 14 that ignited the season of Newcastle, a team that had not been expected to figure in the reckoning.
I can see why Wing has been chosen at 14, and I’m not saying he doesn’t deserve it. But I think most people agree that NSW need to have a real point of difference to win this series. That’s why Jennings was chosen at center rather than Cooper, and it’s also why the St George duo of props has been chosen on the bench. Campese is also an attempt in this regard, but is it enough? Mullen at his best is perhaps the only NRL player who can challenge the magic of the Qld halves. If NSW can hang in there with Qld, how would it be if they could suddenly unleash Mullen from the bench?
Brett McKay said | June 1st 2009 @ 3:42pm | Report comment
Greg, he must have come close. I actually think Wing offers more from the bench than Mullen would, being able to cover all of the backline, and hooker and lock. I don’t know Mullen could do that. That said, I take your point about Mullen coming on from the bench after say 25 minutes, it could be dangerous.
Of course, (and this will make my high school Economics teacher happy) it could also be an example of the law of diminishing returns….
Chop said | June 1st 2009 @ 3:46pm | Report comment
Alan don’t forget that the Eels had Fa’aoso as well and Smithy took him up to Newcastle when he left….The Eels got Hagan and Todd Lowrie….I know who got the best deal in that.
Alan Nicolea said | June 1st 2009 @ 5:29pm | Report comment
Chop
Yeah, now that you mention it, poor eels!!!!!!!! or stupid Eels!!!!!!!