Knights sign Kurt Mann on a 3 year deal

I wonder where this leaves Woolford?
I really have high hopes for him!

Absolutely, I was putting it down to a bona fide shootout between Levi and Woolford in the preseason and trials, potentially playing one off the bench come Round 1.

Mann is a pretty decent utility signing, no way does he come close to pushing either of these guys out.
 
Mann is a pretty decent utility signing, no way does he come close to pushing either of these guys out.

You would think not but Brown works in mysterious ways.

If by Manns quote he is here to play a set position and not just be utility value. Makes you wonder what Brown is up to.

We have Griff back end of this year, levi there and woolford also signed to have a shot at making first grade this year. Now we have Mann also that can play any spine position pretty much but wont see time at half or 5/8 and is not likely to push Watson from fullback.

If Levi gets a spot at 9 or on bench we have a glut of bench utility type players.

For mine, Brown has shown he doesn't like having a dedicated hooker on the bench and prefers more versatile bench options as utility. So unless Levi can secure the 9 and start games I think he will struggle to get an nrl start.
 
Out of those three guys Woolford , Mann and Levi one will be the reserve grade hooker each week so that leaves two.
If Mann at hooker works all well and good if not he can be a good 14 .
I am kind of looking forward to seeing how he goes , he is a fairly talented player and he may go really well . Lets hope so .
It seems to me that Brown isn't hopeful about Griffin coming back at least for next year at all , or maybe he knows something we don't .
 
It seems to me that Brown isn't hopeful about Griffin coming back at least for next year at all , or maybe he knows something we don't .

The question is whether it's possible to drop him from the squad of 30 to free up a spot. There seems to be provisions for long-term injury cover, can't imaging keeping a player in the team who may not even recover in time to play is a good strategy
 
For what it is worth, Mann has plenty of support on the Dragons forum, most seem to think Mary stuffed him around by moving positions all the time!
So interesting times ahead, but having depth and options is a luxury Brown hasn't had at this club so far, so let's hope he nails it!
 
Out of those three guys Woolford , Mann and Levi one will be the reserve grade hooker each week so that leaves two.
If Mann at hooker works all well and good if not he can be a good 14 .
I am kind of looking forward to seeing how he goes , he is a fairly talented player and he may go really well . Lets hope so .
It seems to me that Brown isn't hopeful about Griffin coming back at least for next year at all , or maybe he knows something we don't .

Pretty sure he also played plenty in the centres when he was at the Storm, and a bit of 5/8 so he's the ultimate utility. Hopefully he learnt how to defend in that time!
 
Brown said "you want all players to want to be starting players" unless of course you're Danny Levi where seeing yourself as a starter makes you a spoiled brat. Brown also said that Mann will be in the 17. I wonder what those players on the borderline of making the 17 will think of that statement. Will it make them work harder ? Or will they be dirty Mann's been guaranteed a spot on his first day of training ?
 
Again, and I'm not an NRL coach, but I don't see how gifting Mann a spot in the 17, guaranteed, sends a message to the playing group that there is competition for spots.

And again it highlights that if Levi can't get a starting hooker spot locked down for himself, he won't be in the 17 as he doesn't have utility value.

IMHO Brown should be stoking the fire in players, not putting it out.
 
I still can't get over his blunder in SG ball grand final. The funniest thing I've ever seen!
I was listening to a broadcast of that game live, and it took 10 years off my life I recon.
I was just ready to claim the victory and all hell broke loose.
Interestingly, David Klemmer was in the Canterbury side that nearly beat us, but he was no match for Jeremy Ma'a, the 9 foot tall Samoan who went to Merewether selective school and gave away footy after that game to go to Uni.
 
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I don't think he's a dud. I just don't think on day 1 of training he should be gifted a spot in the 17. He needs to train the house down pre season and earn his spot like Luke Yates last year.
 
I like Mann as a player. Think he’s a good addition. Perfect for that utility role off the bench. I’m unsure of him at hooker. In short stints, sure, but long term? Will be interesting. I view him as someone who just gets his job done on the football field no matter where he’s playing, so I won’t write him off at hooker.
 
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