The nib Newcastle Knights are pleased to announce experienced playmaker Blake Green will join the Club for the remainder of the 2020 season.
The addition of Green to the roster not only gives the Knights cover following a mounting injury toll but an experienced mentor to help educate the emerging players in the system.
The 33-year-old joins the Club with immediate effect.
“I’ve previously worked with Blake, know the family well and he’s only going to compliment us,” Coach Adam O’Brien said.
“Further to that. I know he and Mitchell Pearce will complement each other. They share a lot of similar traits. They are educators and fiercely competitive.
“I have a responsibility to the players who are working their backsides off to keep fighting every day and give ourselves the best chance to win.
“We also have a responsibility to our supporters, sponsors and town to compete each week and strive for success.
“Blake’s arrival helps us continue our fight and it’s something he’s excited to be part of.”
Green has played 257 first grade games across the NRL and Super League and brings with him big game experience.
Coach O’Brien and Green spent two seasons together in Melbourne and views his arrival as far more than a halves partner for captain Mitchell Pearce but another mentor for the emerging talents at the Club.
“It’s an exciting opportunity for our younger guys to soak up some knowledge,” O’Brien continued.
“It’s important to acknowledge that we have some very young and promising players but their development can’t be rushed and it would be unfair to heap unnecessary pressure on a young player at this stage of their career.
“Blake’s arrival allows us to continue their development without putting them at risk.”
A former Australian Schoolboys representative, the five-eighth began his NRL career with Parramatta in 2007 before moving to Cronulla and then Canterbury.
In 2011 he made the move to England where he spent two seasons with Hull KR before joining Wigan with whom he won a premiership with in 2013.
Returning to the NRL in 2015, Green joined the Storm and played a major role in their run to the grand final in 2016.
He has since spent time with Manly and New Zealand.
Green takes the place of Andrew McCullough on the squad list with the hooker sidelined for the season.
