Knights just doubled down on the worst halves recruitment I’ve seen.
Looking back the last 5 years they’ve gone through about 10 different halves with not ONE given the reigns for any extended period. Now, none of them have proven they were capable of having the reigns, but when you’re continually getting new mediocre halves to take over from the old mediocre halves, you’re in a constant state of mediocrity. You’re operating under hope, and that’s fine because you do need a level of faith in your halfback especially. But Knights haven’t had a 7 really take control for long enough to keep the job.
Off the top of my head these players have gone through the Newcastle halves mill in recent years: Clune, Crossland, Clifford, Cogger (so many C’s hmm) Milford, Hastings, Gamble, Pryce and even Ponga was tried at 5/8th for a minute.
You have to go back to 2018 when they had Pearce and Watson as their last decent halves pairing.
While Brown is one of the better halves they’ve recruited, not for the ludicrous price they’re paying and he isn’t a halfback, so how are they that much better off? They still lack a quality organising half. Brown, Sharpe/Pryce, Crossland and Ponga in the spine. Some good footwork and individual skill but practically zero game management, and kicking game? Umm nothing from Brown and Sharpe afaik.