After being part of a horrid Warriors season, Blake Green has moved to Newcastle, with questions whether he intends to play for every club in the NRL.
The big shocker is how the Knights signed Green. I would have guessed Kieran Foran would take their reins, partnering Mitchell Pearce in the halves.
Green isn’t a flashy, razzle-dazzle, make-things-happen-under-pressure playmaker. He mainly plays a supporting role in the halves.
He was pretty ordinary in the first few years of his NRL carrier, shifting between Parramatta, Cronulla and Canterbury. The Bulldogs were the only club he’d played 18 consistent games for, back in 2010.
He signed with Hull Kingston Rovers in 2011, and played some of his best footy in the English Super League.
Green returned from England in the best form of his career. Sadly, he ultimately played second fiddle to in-form halfbacks: Cooper Cronk at the Storm and Daly Cherry-Evans at Manly.
He has had some good performances at halfback for the Warriors as the lead playmaker. I wouldn’t say the Auckland club desperately need him, but they were better off having him there for consistency’s sake.
So where exactly should Green play? Adam O’Brien probably wanted a decent enough half to partner Pearce through the next couple of seasons. But the shock, season-ending injuries to hookers Andrew McCullough and Conor Watson put the Knights’ top-eight finish in trouble.
Could Green be an option at 9, considering how Kurt Mann’s been holding down the five-eighth jumper? Or would O’Brien opt for Green to run in the halves and run Mann at hooker or 14?
Mid-season signings can be good or bad. If a player comes in and does not adapt quickly to the new team and struggles with form, it can affect a team’s vision of where they want to be and how they want to play.
But, then again, if the player contributes positively, it could mean trouble for other teams in the comp.
Paul
Roar Guru
so you move one of the best players at the Knights this year for more than half the season, to accommodate a guy for 5 or 6 games, who may or may not fit into what the Knights are trying to do in attack? Good luck with that.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Moga and Shibasaki better centers than Mann ? Hilarious. You know where Moga is this week ? And you know why ? And you know where Shibasaki has been all season...but you don’t know why..who’s clueless, here ? Both poor..very poor..but hey, if you think so..go for it champion..
Knight Vision
Guest
Goodness me....Mann is a better centre than Moga and Shibasaki ? Do you even watch football at all? like any football ?
Knight Vision
Guest
Shifting Mann makes perfect sense, Pearce needs a half that can also organize with a decent short kicking game . The history of his career supports this. Mann was never the 5/8 required for Pearce.
Magic65
Roar Rookie
:laughing: You win Mr Smith
Joe
Roar Rookie
He will play 6. Sidekick role for Pearce like he did with Cronk at the Storm. Mann has been in the best form of his career at 6 this year but they badly need a hooker and he can fill that role. I expect him to do very well at hooker as well and continue his good form.
DaniiyWings
Roar Rookie
:laughing: Couldn't have said it better
Adam
Roar Guru
I was thinking he might want to leave before next week
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
I'm talking about every week...
Adam
Roar Guru
Don't the tigers already have 45 halfbacks?
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
He'll play half the game for the Knights, but if he gets a better offer from the opposing team at half time, he'll play the second half for them.
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
He is there to play 6. The only reason he wouldn't play 6 is if Pearce got injured and then he would play 7.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Yep ! There is really no query here. Blake has been brought in to play in the halves immediately , as a stop gap solution to their lack of personnel to play number 9. Mann has had some experience there and he fits the mould of the modern day 9 , being quick out of dummy half and fit enough to keep up for 80 minutes. Green would be no chance to play 9, but is suitable as a solid number 6. He might actually improve the Knights attack with his ability to follow a game plan rather than playing off the top of his head like Pearce & Mann have been doing in recent times. Perhaps Ponga might be set up better now on the left, and the left centre & winger might see a bit more ball without Mann propping back inside continually.
Forty Twenty
Roar Rookie
The Knights biggest problem , to me , last season was the purchase and under performance of Jesse Ramien. I reckon it buggered up their chances. They now face a problem in the centres due to an injury to Best. Good luck to Blake Green but he is a mile away from being as effective as the top 5/8's like Munster and Keary because his running game is pedestrian.
DaniiyWings
Roar Rookie
Most definitely. Agree with what you've said. :thumbup:
souvalis
Roar Rookie
His interview over at NRL.com answers most of these questions..but basically he’s there to play 6 for the rest of the season. Don’t think Kurt is a better 9 than Randall when fit, but he’s a better center than Shibasaki and heads and shoulders above Moga..on the other hand, Blake is a craftier 6 than Kurt, which is probably what this side often lacks.
Paul
Roar Guru
Mann has consistently been one of the Knights best this season, so shifting him makes no sense. I reckon Green, if he gets a game, will come off the bench and be a cover for any more injuries in the spine.