NRL 2021: Newcastle Knights star Kurt Mann wants to play five-eighth as battle for spots heats up

Kurt Mann is desperate to be part of it, but Knights coach Adam O’Brien has a challenge on his hands keeping everyone in his talent-rich squad happy in 2021.

Newcastle's Kurt Mann attempts to knock ball back in during the NRL Elimination Final match between the South Sydney Rabbitohs and Newcastle Knights at ANZ Stadium. Picture. Phil Hillyard

He’s made a reputation as Newcastle’s ‘Mr Fix-It’ but Kurt Mann makes no secret his best position is five-eighth.

And that’s where he wants to start and stay in 2021, even after Blake Green returns from injury.

Mann is back training after an emotional post season where his mum Jane passed away after a long battle with cancer.

Kayo is your ticket to the best sport streaming Live & On-Demand. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

Kurt Mann says his best position is five-eighth.

One of the Knights’ best and most consistent performers in 2020 despite not having a fixed position, Mann is off contract at the end of next year and says he is in no rush to settle his future.

The problem for Mann at Newcastle is going to be locking down a regular starting spot.

Everyone knows Mann’s value as a utility but that doesn’t mean he wouldn’t still like to have his own position.

Asked what he considers his best, Mann was straight up: “I would say five eighth. That is where I have played my best footy.

“The games I played in the halves at the Dragons, I played my best footy there. And in the games where I have played in the halves here that is where I have played my best footy as well.”

But while Mann is likely to get first crack at five-eighth, Green is expected to make his return from a serious knee injury early in the season.

The Knights have Jake Clifford coming on board in 2022.

The Knights have also signed North Queensland young gun Jake Clifford for 2022 as a likely long-term partner for Mitchell Pearce.

Newcastle also has Tex Hoy and Phoenix Crossland emerging who are more than capable of playing in the halves, while young English recruit Bailey Hodgson is said to be that good that he could even end up forcing Kalyn Ponga to move into the halves at some point down the track.

Mann also excelled at dummy half this year when he was forced to shift to cover injuries.

But he knows that door will also close when Jayden Brailey returns next year.

“Jayden is a great player and they signed him for a reason and that is to play hooker,” Mann said.

“I am not too sure if I will be playing hooker at all but the five eighth role is definitely something I’d like to have a crack at.

“We’ve got Greenie coming back as well, who is pretty experienced and has a pretty cool head.

Blaake Green could present an obstacle to Kurt Mann playing his favourite position.

“So it is all healthy competition. Nothing bad is going to come from it I don’t think.”

He says he is also open to playing that ball playing middle forward position but that would also have to be from the bench.

“I have played there plenty of times,” he said.

“At the Dragons and here. I am definitely open to that. I really enjoy playing that.”

Regardless, Mann says he is committed to doing what is best for the team.

While he concedes he wants to stay in Newcastle, he is keeping his options open.

“Definitely I would like to stay here, but I am open to other things as well,” Mann said.

“I don’t have family here but I would love to stay.

“I love the club and I love the group as well.

“But I am definitely open to other options.”

Originally published as NRL 2021: Newcastle Knights star Kurt Mann wants to play five-eighth as battle for spots heats up