NRL: Newcastle Knights considering retaining Blake Green after strong start

Melbourne football manager Frank Ponissi knows how good Blake Green can be after his two seasons at the Storm, so he has endorsed the veteran playmaker’s move to Newcastle.

The Newcastle Knights are considering extending Blake Green’s deal beyond this season after his immediate impact on debut in a big win over the Wests Tigers.

Green made a seamless transition to his seventh club last Saturday against the Tigers, starring for the Knights with his steady influence alongside halfback Mitchell Pearce.

The veteran playmaker is signed with Newcastle for the remainder of 2020, but club officials are weighing up extending his contract.

Green brings invaluable experience, class and calmness as the perfect halves foil for a running halfback like Pearce.

The Knights already have Kurt Mann, who has made the five-eighth position his own this season with a string of standout performances.

Mann has moved to hooker following season-ending injuries to Andrew McCullough, Connor Watson and Jayden Brailey, but based on his form this season he could easily move back to the No.6 jumper in 2021.

It leaves Newcastle with a decision – re-sign a proven five-eighth in Green to partner Pearce long-term or stick with Mann at six?

Melbourne football manager Frank Ponissi can understand why the Knights are considering retaining Green on a longer-term deal.

Ponissi built a close rapport with the five-eighth during his two seasons at the Storm in 2015 and 2016.

Blake Green during his Melbourne Storm days. Picture: AAP Image/Dan Himbrechts.

He revealed he contacted Knights coach Adam O’Brien, a former long-time assistant coach in Melbourne, about Green’s signing, declaring the ex-Warrior would reinvigorate Mitchell Pearce’s game at halfback.

“I sent Adam O’Brien a text after I’d read that the Knights had signed Blake for the rest of the year,” Ponissi said.

“Mann has been outstanding this year, but he can slot into that No.9 position while Blake can slot into the left-hand side of the field and complement Mitchell Pearce just like he complemented Cooper Cronk.

“I just said that I thought it was a really smart signing because of the club’s hooker issues.

“It was just a win-win and I thought a really smart play by Adam and the Knights.

“Adam is trying to get more leadership and really change the culture, and Blake is going to really help with that.

“As well as fixing a hole in the team as far as the spine, he can also impact off the field as well.”