Jake Mamo must prove he belongs in the top grade, says Knights coach Nathan Brown

JAKE Mamo was earmarked as Kurt Gidley’s replacement at fullback but those plans were turned on their head when new coach Nathan Brown arrived at Newcastle.

JAKE Mamo was earmarked last season as the long-term replacement for Kurt Gidley at fullback in the Newcastle Knights line-up.

But after an off-season under new coach Nathan Brown, those plans were turned on their head, leaving Mamo with a fight on his hands just to nail down a top grade spot.

After being snubbed for round one and picking up an injury playing NSW Cup, Mamo is back in the team on the wing for Monday’s clash against the Warriors after getting the nod ahead of Akuila Uate following the one game suspension of centre Sione Mata’utia.

But Brown admits he is yet to work out just what position Mamo is best suited to.

“Is he a fullback or a winger? I am still not too sure,” Brown said.

“He gets his chance on the wing in this game with Sione out so it’s up to him now to prove he belongs there.”

Brown is yet to make a definitive decision on who will fill Mata’utia’s vacant centre spot against the Warriors with teenage rookie Cory Denniss and the more experienced Nathan Ross both vying for the position.

Jake Mamo during Knights training. Picture by Peter Lorimer

Denniss, whose two-try debut against Canberra last weekend virtually demanded he be chosen again, is a natural centre and played there in the club’s opening two rounds of the Holden Cup.

But whether Brown is prepared to throw him in the centres in the top grade against a side such as the Warriors remains to be seen.

Ross has played some senior footy at the club in the centres but he is more comfortable on the wing or at fullback.

Brown claims his side needs to take another step forward on Monday and build on the confidence they gained out of the 24-all draw with the Raiders.

“It will be a decent test for us but it’s important the effort from everyone is there for the 80 minutes,” he said.

Originally published as Jake Mamo must prove he belongs in the top grade, says Knights coach Nathan Brown