Ex-Wigan Warriors halfback takes coaching role

Ex-Wigan Warriors halfback Blake Green has taken on a new role at the Newcastle Knights.

Green, who played 49 times for the Wigan Warriors between 2013 and 2014 after starting life in Super League with Hull KR, has been appointed as part of a formidable Knights set-up that also involves former Newcastle great Andrew Johns.

The Knights, fed up of losing local talent to other NRL sides, have invested heavily in a new junior pathway academy and high performance centre as impressive as any other club in any code in Australian sport.

“Our CEO Phil Gardner is really passionate about investing in this area,” said coach Adam O’Brien to the Daily Telegraph.

“I don’t think any club will have better pathway structures by the time we’re finished.

“We’ve got Joey coaching the young halves, Gids doing the fullbacks, Bedsy the hookers, Mark O’Meley the middle forwards and Steve Simpson doing the edge forwards.

“Tell me a youngster who wouldn’t want to be coached by these guys. They listen, they learn and walk off feeling a million dollars.”

Green retired at the end of 2021 after registering nine appearances for the Knights, with 270 career appearances to his name over a period of 15 seasons.

The halfback is most fondly remembered at Wigan, where he won the Harry Sunderland Trophy as the Warriors ran out Grand Final winners in 2013.