Comments on: Jarrod Mullen has hands of god

By: Alan Nicolea

Alan Nicolea — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 07:29:21 +0000

Chop

Yeah, now that you mention it, poor eels!!!!!!!! or stupid Eels!!!!!!!

By: Chop

Chop — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 05:46:22 +0000

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.

By: Brett McKay

Brett McKay — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 05:42:06 +0000

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….

By: Greg Russell

Greg Russell — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 04:39:43 +0000

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?

By: Alan Nicolea

Alan Nicolea — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 02:36:13 +0000

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.

By: macavity

macavity — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 02:24:08 +0000

Mullo was good, but it was our forwards who won that one for us.

Taufua, Taia, Houston, Wicks and Fa’aoso were all outstanding.

By: Alan Nicolea

Alan Nicolea — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 02:15:33 +0000

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.

By: Brett McKay

Brett McKay — Mon, 01 Jun 2009 00:52:32 +0000

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.