Jarrod Mullen’s surprising positive test to steroids has rocked the Newcastle Knights and will likely put their rebuild under coach Nathan Brown at stake. Or will it?
At first glance, it’s easy to suggest the Knights will again flail to another wooden spoon without their lynchpin, Mullen.
A stalwart at the club since the retirement of Andrew Johns, Mullen has had no other association with first-grade rugby league outside of the Knights.
While many questioned his ability to live up to expectations and fulfil his potential, there is no argument about Mullen not giving his all to his hometown club.
The loss of Mullen, for however long, will leave a gaping hole in Brown’s squad. Outside of Dane Gagai (112), Rory Kostjasyn (126), Jamie Buhrer (128) and Trent Hodkinson (139), no other player in the Knights’ squad has played over 100 NRL games.
While not part of the Knights’ captaincy set-up in 2016, Mullen’s status among his teammates ensured he was a leader in the side.
Unable to maintain his spot in the side last year because of injury, Mullen never got to establish a successful and effective combination with Hodkinson.
With the majority of playmaking decisions falling on Hodkinson in 2016, the Knights rarely looked dangerous, finishing the season with just one win and draw.
However, in Mullen’s absence, Brown was able to blood a host of players across various positions.
Crucially, future halves prospects Jack Cogger, Jaelen Feeney, and Brock Lamb, were able to find their feet in the top grade.
While Feeney was experimented with in the outside backs, Cogger and Lamb were used predominately in the five-eighth position.
Cogger, who made six appearances, showed steadiness and class beyond his 18 years of age.
He looked the most at-home alongside the experienced Hodkinson and was able to set-up a number of opportunities in his short, but now vital game-time.
So will the loss of Mullen slow down the Knights’ transformation from cellar-dwellers to a competitive side?
It’s unlikely, given Mullen’s career was on the decline and the trio of youngsters was on the rise. Yet how it affects the squad, not having their most-experienced player alongside them, will remain to be seen.
Will confidence drop? Will the side’s culture be altered? Will the bond of the players fall away?
Embarking on a long-term project of turning Newcastle around, Brown has already been preparing for life after Mullen – it has just come a little earlier than anticipated.
With the NRL’s hottest prospect – Kalyn Ponga – on his way in 2018, maybe a full season for Cogger, Lamb, or Feeney is just what the Knights need.
And maybe moving on from their 211-game veteran who has spent 12 years at the club, is just what the Knights’ transition needs too.
In a cruel bit of irony, Brown has been increasingly looking for more salary cap space and he may have just found it, albeit in the most disappointing of ways.
The Barry
Roar Guru
If Sims wasn't in Browns best 17 in 2016 why did he select him 22 times? That's not my opinion. That's a fact. Whether you like Sims or not the Knights have lost three players out of their best 17 from 2016. That's not my opinion. That's a fact. It's hardly 'wild speculation' to assume that a contract release isn't negotiated in the 24 hours prior to its announcement. Yet again you take the childish line of "you don't agree with me therefore you don't watch enough games". Why are you dirty that I used google to check your (irrelevant) comparison between Sims, Wright and Robson?
souvalis
Guest
You obviously rarely watched the bloke play in '16,embarrass yourself with wild speculations disguised as 'must bes 'about the Knights admin...pointless really debating a players contribution with someone who numbnuts his way around googling his opinion and expresses himself like a sook..
The Barry
Roar Guru
Ridiculous. As if the Sims deal got sorted the day after the announcements about Mullen and Pauli were made. Contracts would have been signed well before. Sims' move was a done deal before Mullen and Pauli were ruled out. Someone has to use objective stats when you're making numpty comparisons between two blokes who were late season fill ins versus someone who was a consistent part of his team.
souvalis
Guest
Bottom line Barry,they lose Mullen,Pauli yet the coach STILL doesn't blink in not holding him to his contract...talk to the coach about the 'interesting position' it was his call totally..pretty sure he watches them every week too...and doesn't base his opinion on googling stats..
The Barry
Roar Guru
There's a difference between being in the starting 17 and in the best 17. Robson and Wright were spare parts players last year and played 9 games each. Sims played 22 for the Knights. He was definitely part of their best 17. Only Hodkinson played more games. I always love the "you have a different opinion to me therefore you don't watch them enough" argument. It's an interesting position that the Knights will be better off without Sims after losing Pauli and Mullen but each to their own...
souvalis
Guest
Irrelevant Jono Wright was in the Warriors starting 17 throughout the year as was Jeff Robbo at Parramatta..Sims was different shades of mediocre his entire career at the Knights..if you'd watched them closely and regularly enough you'd know that and have no qualms with the coaches opinion of granting the early release..another Greg Eden for Benny..
The Barry
Roar Guru
He's definitely in their best 17 so he is a loss. Three players from their starting 17 gone in three days.
souvalis
Guest
No loss..the club paid massive overs for him..
The Barry
Roar Guru
Korbin Sims has been released by the Knights to join the Broncos effective immediately. Knights can't take a trick. I think I'm going to have to revise my position of an improved season. I really think the NRL needs to get (more) involved here. It's not good for the game to have the Knights propping up the table for five years.
kk
Roar Pro
It's now official Sims off to the Broncos
Jacko
Guest
Maybe the Warriors could do some sort of a swap deal where they loan Lolohea to the Knights for 2017 while Foran is at the club then Foran ( if he wants back in Sydney) goes to the Knights and Lolohea back to Auckland in 2018. I hope like hell that the Warriors dont drive out Lolohea like they did Hurrell
Steve Wilson
Guest
Fact - missed 11 tackles in one appearance last year in the top grade. In the same game 4 passes went to ground that led to errors. Fact - first up contact is poor or he goes low all the time, massive no no in the top grade, its because he knows in his own mind he can't tackle grown men. You see, when your old man is a former first grader, and he's mates with Peter mulholland, who pushed young coggers case for years in the juniors, espescially at school rep level, what he should have been working on as a kid was glossed over, but when they step outside the mutual admiration society, you can't hide these flaws in the top grade unfortunately.
jeff milton
Guest
i think you under rate Buhrer
Alex L
Roar Rookie
He barely played last year and his salary was way too high for his skill set; given the knights cap struggles if they get some room to move there it may be a blessing mid-long term.
Adam
Guest
Incorrect just a dislocated hip, a passenger suffered the broken leg
Craig
Guest
22 points is a hiding.
andrew
Guest
Agree also. You usually hate a team because of an historic club rivalry, or because you perceive the fans to be disruptive or lets say ... ANNOYING... But the Knights, who would hate on the Knights? Their fans are loyal SOB's, sure there are plenty of bogans amongst them which might ruffle the feathers of the Eastern Suburbs elite, or maybe Geoff Toovey's mum might still hold a grudge, but I respect the Knights. As for the worst team ever; You must be new to the game, because the 1999 Magpies and their points differential of -660 has to be considered worse. They (Wests) probably actually had a better team on paper, but had a horrific coach and obviously a pretty poor attitude when you give up 60 points five times in a season...
The Barry
Roar Guru
Agree with that Ken...the clubs I 'hate' - and even that's a strong term - are the other Sydney teams who have been historical rivals + storm and Broncs. I've had a soft spot for the Knights, Cowboys and Steelers and to a lesser degree the Raiders, Titans and Warriors.
Bobbybones
Roar Rookie
I agree Dan, if Lolohea comes onto the market I think they need to go after him hard. I think they'll win a couple more this year, the experience some of those young kids got last year in those tight loses will be invaluable, particularly that game in Canberra where they let a massive lead go and lost in golden point.
kk
Roar Pro
Nicely, nicely Bartender. All the town needs is a Rugby League premiership to go with the V8's.