I must say I am over Gallen v Myles. Let’s face facts, an Origin dust-up isn’t exactly uncommon, we half expect one every time the Blues play the Maroons.
And I’ve had a gutful of Tallis v everyone south of the Queensland border. Give the big bloke a mic and he’ll talk ’til the Cows come home (or run close to last).
But there is one story in league this week that continues to fascinate me, even if we have to wait a week or so before it becomes reality.
I refer to Craig Gower’s mid-season signing with the Newcastle Knights.
For most observers the signing seems bizarre, especially when they run their eyes down the Dad’s Army-like roster that has been assembled by coach Wayne Bennett.
What could the former Penrith Panther, Bayonne and Italian rugby union standoff and London Bronco, possibly offer Newcastle at the ripe old age of 35?
My answer is that Gower brings decades of experience to a team that has repeatedly struggled for solidarity around the scrum base since Andrew Johns retired in 2007.
Umpteen halves have been given their chance in No 7 jumper made famous by the ‘immortal’ Johns.
Some have done well, others have crashed and burned but Bennett wasn’t comfortable with the club’s depth in the halves and began hunting for a worthy back-up.
He didn’t hesitate for a moment when he learnt that Gower was interested in having one final crack in the NRL.
Bennett has outlined his reasons for recruiting Gower from the UK Super League. In the Newcastle club’s ‘Knights Insider’ newsletter last week, the coach was asked via Twitter: “Are you drunk? Gower? Really?”
Bennett replied: “It is really hard to make all of you (supporters) happy. Right now, with Kurt Gidley’s injury, we only have Jarrod Mullen and Tyrone Roberts that are specialists there.
When Tyrone looked injured (in a recent game), I sat in the coach’s box and considered my options.
“All of a sudden an opportunity presented itself. Craig Gower was available and I didn’t hesitate.”
Since then, Bennett has been highly impressed with Gower’s fitness and communication skills at Knight’s training.
“We (Queensland) brought Alan Langer back once to win an Origin game and he stood up pretty good,” the coach told reporters with his trademark wry grin. “I think this guy will stand up, he played last week in the UK, he has played all season and hasn’t missed a game.”
Gower was not named in Newcastle’s 17-man squad to play premiers Melbourne this weekend but I wouldn’t be surprised if someone mysteriously falls off the bench just before the team runs out.
He wasn’t signed by Bennett to be a spectator. Standby by for a ‘shock’ cameo from him in the red and blue at AAMI Park on Sunday.
Signing Gower is a gamble for sure but the wily Bennett puts great faith and trust in old heads and more often than not gets good value on his investments. Willie Mason is a perfect case in point.
Gower’s presence will take some heat off the injury-prone Mullen and simultaneously, help in the development of boom youngster, Roberts.
This writer has always liked signings from left-field in the NRL. And it’s interesting when a wily old coach is behind one.
It might soon be time the yellowing old Gower Power signs start re-appearing at a rugby league ground near you.
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