What’s the price of a premiership? For the Newcastle Knights, it’s the value of Trent Robinson’s signature.
A million, $1.2? Whatever it takes, the Knights must pay up.
It will be the difference between winning and losing.
Newcastle have an extremely competitive roster. In Kalyn Ponga they have the circuit breaker, capable of winning a game on his own. David Klemmer is the game’s premier front-rower. Mitchell Pearce – while not without his critics – is a premiership and Origin winner.
Star Newcastle Knights Mitchell Pearce and Kalyn Ponga (AAP Image/Darren Pateman)
Throw in seasoned pros like Tim Glasby, the signature of impressive rake Jayden Brailey and a healthy crop of young talent coming through (watch out for Bradman Best) and you’ve a recipe for sustained success.
All that’s missing is a master chef ready to serve it up. For that, there is no one better than Robinson.
The Roosters maestro has a record that speaks for itself. Two premierships in seven years is up there with the very best. Aside from this though, it’s his ability to instil, drive and demand cultural standards that sets Robinson apart.
He isn’t a brute however, who has players shaking in their boots without purpose or reason. He can also be a man’s man. His management of Latrell Mitchell throughout the superstar’s burgeoning career is testament to a coach who understands the fine balance between being a mate and being a leader.
Some of the Knights’ young guns could do with some of that TLC.
It appears something of a cultural overhaul is needed at Newcastle, with pundits having spoken about the party culture that has seeped into the playing group over the past 18 months. If this is true, it will need to change. Robinson will do just that.
He’ll also turn Ponga into the world’s best player, just like he’s done with James Tedesco. And while he may have been largely responsible for Pearce leaving Bondi two years ago, the halfback is a different player these days. He’s ready to win another premiership – provided he’s got the right people around him.
Including Robinson.
In terms of career progression, Robinson should be seeking his next great challenge. Wayne Bennett left Canberra for Brisbane when they were brand spanking new, Craig Bellamy navigated the Storm through a salary cap crisis and deliverer the club two (legitimate) premierships, and Des Hasler left Manly for the Dogs (in more ways than one).
Robinson to the Knights? Makes sense.
Former Knight Matthew Johns recently divulged a story about the way he was enticed to the Super League during the mid-1990s. Apparently, an executive from News Corp phoned Johns and his brother Andrew while they were having tea at a well known Steel City diner.
Desperate to land the two superstars, the executive asked the brothers to each grab a napkin, write down whatever they felt they were worth and promised that the Super League would match it. Thankfully for the Knights and the ARL, the brothers stayed loyal.
Fast forward nearly 25 years and it’s the Knights who should be on the other end of the phone engaging in a similar type of shameless negotiation with the Roosters’ super coach.
Grab a napkin Robbo. Name your price.
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
you need to have a look at his record at Catalans Dragons 63 games 37 wins 1 draw 25 losses a winning rate of 59% ......... Better than most current NRL coaches Have a look at the average age of the players that he is currently working with that sit second on the premiership table. Secondly have a very close look at the number of players he has developed that are playing at other teams and playing very well there is a decent team of them out there. He has played an integral role in the roster management at the club and most of that "High Value Cattle" as you put it has been developed by the club and Robbo and his coaching staff
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
:happy: Mate there is no hope of that, Nick has been a Rooster all his life from when he was a kid.there is not a hope in hell of City Ford sponsoring anything other than the Roosters
Noosa Duck
Roar Rookie
Seriously, do you really think that $$$$$ big $$$$ is the answer to everything. Robbo has made his intentions perfectly clear and so has Nick Politis, obviously you were not paying attention. A Nick said "Robbo is not going anywhere whilst I am Chairman of this club". Robbo is not going anywhere no matter the offer from Newcastle or anyone else for that matter. When you have the opportunity to build a lasting legacy at a club like the Roosters where you have put together a very professional set up both coaching wise and with the recruitment and administration you are not going to just walk away from it. Just ask Craig Bellamy, and he may tell you very quietly that despite the denials , the Bronco's CEO made him a very substantial offer to replace Bennett. He will also tell you that it was not just about the money. Nick Politis was well advised when he took on the Rookie Robinson and he has not been let down. This is his 7 th year as Head Coach at the Roosters he has missed the finals once. Took them from 13 th to Premiers in his first year has 4 Minor premierships and 2 Premierships in the trophy Cabinet and has a pretty fair chance of taking the team to the first back to back premiership wins in 20 years ....You have to be dreaming if you think he would walk away from Nick Politis and the Roosters . Despite the year from hell in 2016 he maintains a winning record of 65% at the club second only to Craig Bellamy at the Storm with around 68%. No doubt he could do good things at Newcastle but firstly would he want to and would Newcastle be prepared to go out and spend the sort of money to not only poach Robbo but also find and pay for the calibre of people that he would want around him, for I can tell you he is the sort of bloke that would not do the dirty on his old club or Nick Politis and poach any of their staff, that much I know about the bloke.
Paul
Roar Guru
Totally agree Jack, the Knights would be crazy not to get aggressive and really go after Robinson, for all the reasons you've named. The obvious problem is whether he wants to move and whether all the things that would entice a bloke with his ability to chuck away a prime job, uproot the family and move north. Love to see it happen, but doubt greatly it will.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! It seems Fitzy is the pea here , if he wants it ? I wonder how Justin Holbrook is feeling this morning ? Has he jumped a little too soon ?
Watda
Guest
Tell em “they’re dreamin” ...Trent
Emcie
Roar Guru
For a guy who's contributions to this site primarily involve skulking around Broncos articles and regurgitating the same stale Alfie memes ad nauseum or taking unoriginal swipes at whichever player struck your fancy you sure are sensitive to the old sombrero gag aren't you? Maybe you should stop shouting your name around so much and try growing a thicker skin instead.
JOHN ALLAN
Guest
Here's that sombrero "joke" again. You have a four year old niece & an IQ somewhere below that number. Who do you support & how are they going this year?
Jennzex
Guest
Just remember,,, Resentment , is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
Hooking on to the latest title winning coach and expecting him to work wonders elsewhere is an illusion. Hasler , Green, Flannagan , Hagan , Bellamy, Folkes and Robinson are some who come to mind who coached their 1st NRL club to a title. Successful coaches who have moved clubs and won a title elsewhere this century are Bennett and Sheens from memory at one each in many attempts. Hardly a ringing endorsement for lashing out with huge dollars. Paul Green was the answer to every clubs problems a couple of years back.
Shane
Roar Pro
Maybe Fitzy will bring the sombrero? Not sure what else he’ll bring. My four year old niece could coach the Roosters to a title.
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Snow flakes chance in hell Robbo would take the Knights job on. Unless they were in a position to offer ridiculous money ? He has one of the best jobs in the game, contending for Premierships annually and I’m sure he is well compensated too. Agree with the author in that Robbo would turn around the Knights. They have a very good roster but need someone to bring it altogether.
Soda
Roar Rookie
The only way Trent would be coaching knights is if knights suddenly secured city ford as it sponsor.
Clanger McClunk
Guest
No chance! Robinson seems to me he's like Bellamy, a one club coach who risks tarnishing his reputation by going elsewhere. Newcastle need to go after someone who has loads of experience and has the ability to keep a bunch of youngsters in line. Who that is I don't know but he can't be a rookie.
Insider
Roar Rookie
Doesn’t always work like that, the T boys just turned down Doggies advances, money can’t buy you love
Dan
Guest
Pfft Robinson hasn’t proved anything? The usual claptrap nonsense about the salary cap aside, if you don’t think spanking the Storm in a GF with one of your chief play makers heavily injured that he can barely pass the ball is proving coaching credentials, then you don’t know anything about that game.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Yeah but, realistically they’re far more of a chance to get the next best, Craig Fitzgibbon...from a competent system and knows a lot of the players...or if he’s too deeply entrenched fish around for Ryles..
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Who's going to pay it? Tinkler? Oh that's right ...
DP Schaefer
Roar Rookie
Exactly. Knights would have to pay Robbo overs IMO, he hasn't proven anything without high value cattle and with Sally Cap busy elsewhere (taking someone's Ford Mustang Shelby for a spin up the Khybar Pass) he's on a good thing at chooks. He won't move unless shunted.
Papi Smurf
Roar Rookie
I think Nick Politis already knows Robinson's price and can offer him a squad that is filled with million dollar players and no worries about salary cap audits to spoil the party. Why would he move and risk having success handed to him on a platter? It's the same reasoning that keeps Bellamy in Melbourne.