Disagree. Merrin is much better than either of those players.
I honestly think there's just too many question marks to rate the Knights that highly this year. Bennett is a fantastic coach, but his influence is being overstated by media, fans, everyone.
Rubbish halves. As stated in this thread, Mullen has potential. It's about time he turned that into performance. Remember how everyone at the Knights used to say Mullen's good but Luke Walsh is better? I'd argue that Walsh has been more impressive in first grade than Mullen. And I don't rate Walsh at all.
Oh and Gidley is no half. Everyone knows that. He's been rubbish there for the Knights and rubbish there for NSW. He's a good fullback, a serviceable hooker, and that's it.
Talking about hooker, there have to be questions about how far Buderus's old legs wil take him. I thought he was very poor in his last season in the NRL. I can't believe De Gois was let go for him, Knights legend or not.
Then there's the forwards. I just feel they're one quality prop short. I've heard reports that Snowden has a dodgy back, is that true? Regardless, the importance of a quality prop rotation cannot be understated. Snowden is a great player, but that's where it ends. Cuthbertson is decent, but he's best utilised as a bench player against tiring legs. I don't rate him as a starter at all, but who would you put in his place? I can't think of anyone. There may be some young talent knocking down the door, but prop is probably the hardest position for a debutant, and it's not normally until their second or third year that we start to see some consistently good football from them.
If I were to let my anti-Knights bias get the better of me, I'd declare them wooden spooners. Bias aside, they're not (I think Penrith will be), but I still dont think they'll make the 8. I see them building towards something though, and by strengthening a couple of positions they're lacking (particularly the spine) I can see them peaking for a real challenge in 2014.
