The Newcastle Knights have signed current Hull KR halfback Michael Dobson for the 2014 NRL season on a one year deal.
Why?
At 27 years of age, Michael Dobson is who he is. We know what he offers as an NRL player and we know that he isn’t about to come back and be a first grade player.
Dobson actually started his top grade career over in Super League playing for the Catalan Dragons and Wigan in 2006. The following season he moved back to the Canberra Raiders where, over the course of two season, he played 20 first grade games.
in 2008 Dobson moved to Hull KR where he has played the best football of his career.
NRL clubs have a lot of money to spend now that the salary cap has been raised. That higher cap figure is allowing clubs to look at signing players to bolster their depth, which is a good thing for most clubs.
In the past clubs had to rely on junior players to fill in the gaps when injuries struck. We have already see that change a little this season as clubs have been able to sign some handy players who are mostly playing reserve grade football because while they are decent players, they are not quite first grade quality.
I can’t see Dobson moving back to the Newcastle Knights on a reserve graders salary. While Hull KR have some financial issues, Super League clubs always find the money to keep their better players.
If the Knights were buying Dobson to cover players who would be leaving the club mid season for State Of origin duty, I’d understand. That is why the Melbourne Storm signed Brett Finch, he covers for Cooper Cronk when he plays for Queensland.
Somehow I don’t see Jarrod Mullen playing State Of Origin football any time soon…
This is just the latest in a bunch of very strange signings the Newcastle Knights have made. Its a move that makes little sense and one that adds yet another older player to the Knights already ancient squad.
