Since his debut in 2014 for Melbourne, Kurt Mann has played every position in the backline, hooker and a bit of playmaking lock forward. A bit of a discussion among some Knights fans has centred around where he should play.
Before I go on, I should point out that he is a very good player in my opinion but one downfall he has is sometimes he does tend to be running side to side taking away momentum in the play. Another thing I should point out is I don’t like how some Knights fans tend to sh*t on him when he had a bad game.
He gets the most heat and it’s like some do it because it’s the popular thing. If you think he should be dropped, go say it to his face or tell Adam O’Brien you can do a better job.
A few positions I think I should rule out are fullback, wing and centre. Kalyn Ponga will be the fullback and we got the wings and centres covered very well. Kurt is too slow to cover the big-name wingers and centres. So, now let’s take a look at the three positions I think are best for him, a special mention and my personal preference.
Special mention – bench utility
Kurt Mann has a utility X-Factor in which he can cover for whenever needed.
Five-eighth
Jake Clifford does have a halves spot reserved for him and should Kurt take the No.6 role, Clifford can easily shift to 7. Let’s not forget that Kurt does have his lethal torpedo bomb which is a useful weapon and I sure as hell feel sorry for any poor bastard who’s given the task to catch it. However, we do have a fair few who are in the line for the No.6 role, like Simi Sasagi and Phoenix Crossland, to name a few.
Hooker
Without Jayden Brailey for the first half of the season, the dummy half role could be an option. However, Chris Randall does have dibs on that role. They could share the role, though.
Kurt came to Newcastle in 2019 set to be a bench dummy half and in his first grade debut for Newcastle, his run from dummy half and pass to Mitchell Pearce set up the match-opening try by Tim Glasby, also on his Knights debut, in their season-opening win against Cronulla 14-8. When Blake Green came to town in 2020, Mann shifted to the hooker role and owned it quite well.
Lock
The playmaking lock forward role has become a very common position in the modern game. With the loss of Connor Watson, that role is open. We may have Mitchell Barnett but he’s just as lethal as a second rower, which he backs up quite well. As a lock, Kurt can focus more on tackling forwards he can match speed with and also be an extra playmaking player.
His best choice is to be the playmaking lock. He could use it playing like an extra five-eighth.
So, Roarers, what’s your preference?
Maxtruck
Roar Rookie
It depends who is first to get a calf injury. Best or Ponga ?
Jase Elton
Guest
good type of player to add depth to a squad but if Kurt Mann is in any clubs 17 they are not challenging for the title.
Albo
Roar Rookie
"I don’t like how some Knights fans tend to sh*t on him when he had a bad game." But he has had so many of them ?? He makes far too many errors, and that's why he has never really cemented a spot in any of the Clubs he has been with ( Storm, Dragons & Knights) . He can do some good things and is as game as they come, but then he can also have a regular shocker of a game. He has played 150 games as a utility via every position from fullback to hooker. For mine , he is best used as a 14 to use anywhere as required.
Nat
Roar Guru
I don't mind the idea of the #14 utility role in a manner Peachy used to do at the Titans. Roving, ball-playing lock. Not sure I'd start him there but after 25 minutes he becomes another attacking option with a short kicking game and good speed for a support role through the middle.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
He’s moved around a bit in clubs and positions, but I wouldn’t go so far as calling him an X factor. More of a Y factor to me. Y put him in a starting position. Bench player to fill gaps, cover for injury, etc.
Stuart
Guest
Nice bloke, who tries his guts out but just not good enough for 1st grade. He is at his peak which is unfortunately not good enough IMO. The 14 jersey should go to simi sagagi or Phoneix Crossland who have more potential.
Big Daddy
Roar Rookie
To be honest he's had a few years to cement a position and really has failed to nail it . He's a bench player at best but if they want to persist with him it may be In Knock On Cup .
Sam
Guest
Hard question I think he’lol be in the 17 as a 14. Ponga, hunt, gagai, best, Tuala, Clifford, Clune, d saf, Randall, j saf, Frizell, Barnett, Clifford Mann, Klem, Jones, Saulo
souvalis
Roar Rookie
Pretty sure AOB is starting off with a running 13 this season and has his eyes on Crossland there. Clune to 7 means Kurt to 14, the most logical for his ability.
Phil
Roar Rookie
Geez mate, don't ask hard questions on a Saturday morning. His best position??? I have no idea and I don't think Adam O'Brien does either. He will end up in the 17 somewhere. That's the best I can do.
KenW
Roar Rookie
Pretty sure he also came off the bench as the world's lightest prop a few times for St George! He's a jack of all trades, master of none. I've said before I think he's a great guy to have in your squad because you can stick any number on his back and he'll go out and do a professional job. He's not quite good enough at any particular spot though to hold it against specialists. So it's a vote for the bench utility, he can be used to fill any injury hole during a game and otherwise do a late 20min cameo at dummy half or lock. If forced to highlight a specific position I'd actually vote for one of the spots that you ruled-out. I think he's best as a winger - he's a clever finisher with good feet and makes reliable defensive decisions. Of course, he doesn't have the outright pace or size that the best wingers have - so he probably wouldn't hold that role either in a balanced squad.
Adam Bagnall
Roar Guru
His best position is five eighth but with Clifford and Clune there, plus potentially Milford he might be reduced to a bench utility or reserve grade