Newcastle Knights legend Jarrod Mullen has been given the green tick to return to the game after his drug ban dating all the way back to late 2016.
With 211 games under his belt, let’s take into a theoretical perspective his ban never happened.
We can add 116 guaranteed games to his belt for Newcastle, seeing him with 327 games and playing the most games for the Novocastrians.
A lot of questions come to mind such as how much of a great halves partnership could we have witnessed with Jarrod Mullen and Mitchell Pearce.
As a halves pairing, they both could have truly brought the best out of each other on the field.
If we compare how much faster the game has gone from 2016 to 2021, considering if we look at some statistics, I will be able to question if 34-year-old Jarrod Mullen would have the fitness or ability to keep up with the modern-era players.
(Photo by Tony Feder/Getty Images)
How many tries were scored in 2021? 1613. That is the most amount of tries scored this entire millennium and no season last decade hit 1600 or even 1500.
How many points were scored in 2021? 9219. Not as much as 2001 but definitely more than any season last decade.
With all the new rules and quickness added to the game, I for one don’t think Jarrod Mullen will be able to compete.
There is no disrespect intended for him. He was a brilliant player. But he has nothing left to prove.
Maybe he could join the Knights’ halves coaching squad with Blake Green.
I remember when Jarrod Mullen debuted. He was overhyped as the next Andrew Johns.
One thing that grinds my gears is when a player is compared to being the next legendary player. No one is the next anyone, you are the first of yourself and your only competitor.
In the gym, if someone has got a higher deadlift record than you, don’t do all you can to match and beat them because that’s a disaster just waiting to happen.
I remember when a lot of halves were aiming to be the next Andrew Johns but instead of being anywhere near as good as the original, they were more like the Andrew Johns ordered from Wish.
So Roarers, I have had my say, so now it’s your turn. Will Jarrod Mullen be able to play in the NRL?
BeastieBoy
Roar Rookie
Nuh.. the game is too fast.. he's had a long time out at the wrong end of a career..
Pommy Chris
Roar Rookie
So Mullen is condemned for life then is he? I hear he’s been doing a lot to share his story with young players to help them not make the same choices he made. Rather than focussing on the bad, they could focus on his rehabilitation.
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
Depends if the Knights want to send a message to juniors, sponsors and fans that pingers and rhoids are OK
Pommy Chris
Roar Rookie
If the latest news is to be believed and Pearce is off to Catalan then surely Mullen is worth a punt in the Knight’s squad as an experienced half with a point to prove. Longer term I still think Ponga will move into the #6 jersey but doing that this season and blooding a 19 year old at Full Back seems like a huge risk to me.
Heyou
Roar Rookie
‘Ordered from Wish’ good one lol. No, I doubt it. The game has moved on. Not too many over the age of 32 -33 are playing first grade these days. Although when I pondered it I realised that 4+ years out of the elite game or any level of the game for that matter, could mean that his body has not been battered and beaten and his head has not been pummelled, his legs have not been taken out from under him umpteen times. That could be a positive if he has maintained a professional level of fitness and has been participating in some kind of sport during his ban…unless he has been over-imbibing in legal or illegal substances on a regular basis - that wouldn’t be good. Maybe he has kept up with the rule changes to the game and has been training to suit the new NRL brand. He could be fighting fit and ready to start the season in the lower grades and see how it pans out… but I still think it’s a reach to far.
Beastie
Roar Rookie
Probably Mann or Hoy to start with but once Bailey Hodgson gets a shot, he should cement the spot.
Nat
Roar Guru
You think they'll move Ponga? He might be better/more dangerous than the existing halves options but who comes near to filling the void at FB?
Andrew01
Roar Rookie
Did we have enough first grade standard halves in 2021? No. Doe we need more halves from 2023? Yes So why not a comeback.
Glory Bound
Roar Rookie
Will Jarrod Mullen be able to play in the NRL? Will Joey Leilua ever learn self-discipline and to control his temper? Will Luke Brooks ever play Origin? Will the NRL ever stop unscrupulous coaches and teams from cynically abusing the rules? The answer to all these questions is, NO!
max power
Guest
no
Paul
Roar Guru
I'd be very careful dismissing his chances of a return to the NRL on the basis of age. He's had a long while out of the game os obviously his body hasn't taken the same battering it would have copped if he'd played those 100 extra games. You don't lose skills when you get older so the only real issue is whether he's fit enough to cope with regularly playing 80 minutes. If he is, he could well make a comeback if he shows red-hot form in other competitions, a team is willing to take a punt or a team is desperate for options thanks to injury.
Nat
Roar Guru
No, not at all but good on him for getting back into the game. You can't imagine the pressure he faced in Newcastle. Even having Johns talk him up as his protege would be overwhelming. He gets hyped to NSW then dumped then injured in a team that was struggling and he made some very poor decisions. I like the fact he made it back to Q Cup and I have no doubt he is a smarter, more mature person than he was before but I think that may be his ceiling now. At least being back in the game keeps him in comfortable surroundings.
mushi
Roar Guru
Heck for a while testing was voluntary in the NBA and MLB
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Can’t see a chance in Hades of that happening. Wouldn’t be surprised if there’s news of Mitchell P. heading out of the club before Christmas opening up Clifford and Ponga as the halfs. Clune, Sasagi, Mann, Crossland , an unknown bolter , in the wings. No going back.
no one in particular
Roar Guru
Able? Yes Can? Yes Will? No
no one in particular
Roar Guru
NFL aren't signed up to WADA
Ad-O
Guest
PED bans in the NFL are like 6 games.
Opposed Session
Roar Rookie
Jarrod Mullen returned to RL in the Qld Cup this year for the Falcons. He didn’t last long dislocating his shoulder in the early rounds coming off the bench for them. I’d hazard a guess the NRL has past him by. Not many +34 yo’s make prolonged comebacks.