Five-eighth Blake Green has defended his decision to walk out on the Warriors and take up a short NRL deal with Newcastle.
Many criticised his decision to walk out on the Warriors earlier this week, but Green has called the move a ‘win-win’ after a solid performance on Saturday.
The 33-year-old was unwanted by the Warriors beyond the end of this season and said there was a chance he would not be picked to play out the final eight games.
Green felt coming to the Knights to play out the remainder of the season was his best option despite not having a contract for 2021.
And while severing ties with the Warriors and telling teammates leaving was tough, he feels justified after Saturday’s 44-4 win with the Knights.
“They gave me an indication that I wasn’t going to be at the club beyond this year and if we weren’t looking like making the semis I could have been sitting down for the last six rounds,” he said.
“I didn’t want to sit down.
“To be honest I thought it was a win-win decision by both parties.
“They got to promote within and start that process there for the club moving forward.”
After just one full session with the Knights, Green slotted into the spine perfectly in their win over the Wests Tigers, setting up the first try of the night.
And without him, the Warriors pulled off an upset over Manly at Brookvale the night before as Green watched on from his temporary apartment in Newcastle.
“I watched the whole game. I love those boys, I’ve got a really good relationship with them,” he said.
“I sent them messages before the game, they’ve sent me messages before this game. They’re terrific people.”
It’s been a difficult year for Green and his young family after pulling his kids out of school and daycare in New Zealand to base with him on the Central Coast, leaving their home of three years behind.
His wife Sarah is a primary school teacher and has been able to homeschool their son Boston, but it’s a temporary fix given they have no security beyond the next seven weeks.
And while it was a tough decision to walk away from the Warriors, he wants to give it his best shot for his family.
“I’ve got no idea (what the future holds), I’ll just keep doing the best I can and see where it takes me,” he said.
“I know it’s a bit of a cliche but I can’t look too far ahead because there’s not much in the distance.
“I’ll just keep playing well for the Knights and see what happens.
“I’ve been around long enough and seen things change really quickly in rugby league.”
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
He played to the best of his ability, and the club signed off on his release. What more do you want?
Chris Love
Roar Guru
I think the Broncos really missed a trick here. He could have been the experienced head they really need right now.
Nat
Roar Rookie
— COMMENT DELETED —
Sylvester
Guest
So the other option is to tell a player at the end of the season, once clubs have made their recruitment choices? Seems reasonable for the Warriors to expect a contracted player to act like a professional.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Did the Dragons actually give Gus money on top of giving him their time? Honestly, the rugby league insiders trough is inexhaustible.
mushi
Roar Guru
If he needs to move them then yes. Relocation is generally outside the cap.
Chris
Roar Rookie
Just shows how ineffective M Pearce is. Pearce has been a hooker for the last 6 years, sadly while the ole boys still prop up his good name, no one will tap him on the shoulder
Paul
Roar Guru
Yeah, just ask the Dragons. Bewdy!! :crying:
Tony
Roar Guru
Wash your mouth out. All of the Warriors problems will disappear now that Gus is involved. Just ask the Dragons.
Greg
Guest
You'd think the Warriors would have learnt after doing the same thing with Shaun Johnson. Telling someone that they're unwanted next year is the same as telling them they're unwanted right now.
Col in Paradise
Roar Rookie
Good move Blake..Brown coaching the warriors another reason to move...let alone avoiding hearing Gus prattle on as a narcissist consultant...double plus..
Nat
Roar Guru
Being told you're gong to warm the bench once they're out of contention, I'd pack my bags too. I wonder if the knights get the same cap dispensation for his family to ISO in a Newy penthouse as SBW is getting?
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Prior to the game he said he’d had just one training run with the side..amazing. Knights were blessed getting their missing piece.
mushi
Roar Guru
I think they said if it helped get a deal for 2021 or beyond But still ownership cast the first stone here
Paul
Roar Guru
Your comment makes sense given the Warrior's owners penchant for letting everyone know when he's got an issue. If Green's departure had been a problem, he'd have told us all for sure.
Walter Black
Guest
As I understand it, he was told that he could go to another club any time he liked. That happened just before they sacked Kearney so Green can hardly be in the wrong here. He has been a good workman for the Warriors and given the position they were in, they should never have told him where to go like that. No respect there and its all the Warriors fault.