Revealed: The full extent of the Knights salary cap woes

[perverse]

Maloney probably told us to keep dreaming.

Hodko was always, always going to end this way. I never expected more from him, and was violently against him coming. The only thing I thought might be possible, Mullo improving when Hodko got here, didn't happen. Now we're really f**ked, as opposed to half f**ked.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

I'd bench Hodkinson and run Cogger or Lamb with a couple of experienced buys in the forwards. Randall is unlikely to be there.
Bring Hodko on as a replacement half or at Hooker.

 

[slotmachine]

Brown appears to have a Stone-level crush on Hodko. I don't think he has ever bad mouthed him, or failed to defend him.
Willing to throw Mullen under the bus at any opportunity though.

 

[perverse]

Brown appears to have a Stone-level crush on Hodko. I don't think he has ever bad mouthed him, or failed to defend him.
Willing to throw Mullen under the bus at any opportunity though.

I would say that comes down to off field stuff. Hodko, for all his faults, seems to be the consummate professional. I doubt we can say the same of Mullen in 2016. I reckon Mullen 2016 edition probably fits into the category of jaded old could-have-been that does all the work required, but is done with doing the extras and doesn't worry too much about footy outside of gameday. Mullo just doesn't come across to me as a guy who lives and breathes the game anymore.

Maybe I'm wrong, I only have 80 lacklustre minutes each week, and the odd quote here and there to judge by. Maybe Brown just thinks Hodko is doing everything he can - while he knows as well as we all do that Mullen could do much more. I feel like Bennett had similar feelings about Mullen... he would always praise his skills, said he was as talented as player as he'd ever coached... but there was always something missing or held back in that praise for mine.

 

[NoSchitSherlock]

Bennett did have a positive approach to Mullen. He recognised that Mullen's self criticism was his major block. He's a perfectionist and over thinks before he gets out there. There were some improvements under Bennett.
I'm seeing the same defeating himself creep back into Mullen's game.

 

[Zoidberg]

Not just for Mullo but I would find it pretty difficult to keep putting in extra effort when week in week out your team is getting flogged. Maybe that's why he went so well under Bennett, especially in 2013, he had hope of getting rewarded for the extra effort with wins.
I know it's his job but if that's what it is, I get it.

 

[Knight76]

The Brown/Hodkinson thing to me strikes me as a situation that we have this supposed to be gun half. Yet he isn't performing anything like he should be.

Brown, not having a stellar career himself with high accolades can't exactly offer Hodkinson too much advise, Hodkinson is already the captain, already a senior player in the team, and therefore pretty untouchable.

It's not like we can get A. Johns in to work with him on his game as the senior players are meant to be mentoring the younger players in the side and already be in control of their game. And retired players generally come in to work with younger players on their game also.

So there just does not seem like much Brown can do with Hodkinson. Likewise any offensive coach we have, they are there to work on strategy, not skills coach a senior player.

Short of the suggested option of swapping Hodkinson to hooker and playing Cogger at half I don't see anything changing there. And I'd hate to see Hodkinson at hooker being required to take hit ups, he seems fairly allergic to being tackled.

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

Could Hodkinson play hooker, like a Peter Wallace style transition?

Actually, hokko has zero running game.. nvm.

 

[Knight76]

Could Hodkinson play hooker, like a Peter Wallace style transition?

Actually, hokko has zero running game.. nvm.

Lol, except for running on and off the field I don't notice it much. Receive ball, stand still, pass to the next person in line. Every now and then kick for goal, not very often though this season.

His kicking game is equally lacking. Here it is, every now and then, kick for goal.

 

[mozza91]

Hooker could be an option. He'd provide good service and kicking if needed. He's a very good defender too so I think he'd be able to handle that part of the game.

 

[macavity]

I don't think Brown throws any of the senior players under the bus by name.

Hokko is captain and usually sitting next to him in the conferences. Hokko knows he isn't contributing to wins, because we aren't getting them. Brown knows the same thing. What exactly is he going to do or say? Is calling out the guys who are trying but just aren't very good going to achieve much?

As for why they didn't go after Maloney - they have a recruitment matrix which "builds a team" based on the skills they have and the skills they think are required/lacking.

They have this matrix filled for every player in our team, and every potential debutant and recruitment target - using a mix of metrics and qualitative analysis.

They wanted a "game manager" and Hodko graded out "higher" in their "game manager" criteria than Maloney (or Taylor, for that matter). They were actually really excited to get him as they thought he was the perfect foil for Mullen, who is a "game breaker". In other words, they thought Maloney and Mullen were too alike (they also wanted a sound defensive half, which in fairness, Maloney is not).

Not sure I trust their methodology...

 

[Chicken_Hunter]

Hokko can manage a game when his forwards are smashing everything in their path. In saying that, most halves can.

 

[Spot On]

Lol. Tell em their f**king matrix is broken. Did they factor in that Hodko was playing behind the biggest pack in rugby league history????

Not only that but haven't they seen enough of Mullo to know what he brings even when everything is going rosey???

Gets some people who know football and piss the matrix off.

 

[Jono078]

I just find it funny that Mullen is labeled the "game breaker" LOL.

 

[macavity]

This was pre Mooney and Brown.

The methodology may have changed - hope it has...

 

[Knight76]

Mullen the game breaker lol. Thats a good one.

Hodkinson can manage a game when the forwards are smashing everything eh, well that is what Mullen does, so we have two generals. Hodkinson has shown time and again this season that even when we get in to a good attacking position, he has nothing to offer that creates anything to get us over the line. He catches and passes to the next player along and generally leaves the kicking duties to Mullen.

I get Browny is not going to call out many players by name, and generally not his captains or halves. But, what is he saying to them behind the scenes? Hodkinsons game hasn't changed all year. Is brown capable of actually coaching a team tactics and playbook wise, or is he simply a roster builder of individuals and relies on the players talents to gel and create the winning culture.

 

[slotmachine]

Brown has definitely called out Mullen on multiple occasions. In one presser he kept going on about how he needs to compete harder, improve kick chase etc.

Never says boo about Hodko, and defended him after Joey and a few papers (rightfully) bagged him as a dud signing.

Whatever faults Mullen might have we only ever look like winning when he is on the field and playing well. Hodko may as well be replaced with another forward who doesn't miss as many tackles. Put Barnett there, he has a better kicking game.

 

[Caped Crusader]

Its not a good idea to bag your players publicly. No NRL coach does it. That sort of stuff is for behind closed doors

I dont know whay you guys expect Brown to

 

[Sydney Knight]

Paul Kent is now questioning the speed of Watmoughs medical retirement when other clubs are waiting months for the insurance company approvals.

 

[Sydney Knight]

Good interview with Nathan Brown on triple M. Goes for 14 minutes.

http://www.triplem.com.au/sydney/sp...ldnt-come-to-knights-because-the-moneys-good/