IT was a simple question from Trent Barrett that put Blake Green from Melbourne and delivered the playmaker to Brookvale Oval.
Are you ready to be ‘the guy’?
It’s a question he’d never asked himself before. He hadn’t needed to.
After all, for the past two seasons he’s had the likes of Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk by his side.
But the more he thought about it, the more excited he became at the prospect of being the backbone of the Manly spine.
the Sea Eagles.
The reason Green’s signing was important is because Barrett needed an older head to take the stress off his $1 million man.
And that’s exactly what he plans on doing.
“My role is going to be a lot different to what it was previously at the Storm,” Green told foxsports.com.au.
“That was probably the main reason for making the move.
“I thought I was ready to sort of be the guy. We’ll see how that works out. It’s not about individuals. Trent has come up with a style that’s going to play to the strengths of everyone in our team.”
Playing in the halves, Green has always been considered a leader.
But at 30 with a Super League title to his name and two successful seasons with the Storm, Barrett’s sales pitch struck a chord with the Cabramatta junior.
“When I first spoke to (Barrett), it wasn’t something I was looking for but he thought at this stage of my career it was something I was ready to do,” Green said of leading.
“He was interested in bringing me in as a leader and taking what I’d learnt from the culture I’d experienced in Melbourne and at Wigan, both very successful clubs, and bring as much as I can to the team.”
A journey man of the game, Green started his career with Parramatta back in 2007.
He played six games in his rookie year before the Sharks came calling with a two-year-deal where he played alongside Brett Kimmorley.
In 2010 he satisfied the utility role at Canterbury, playing hooker, half and even backrow before leaving the country in search of a starting spot.
It was over the next four seasons Green really found his feet and established himself as a starting first grader.
Not only did he win the 2013 Super League grand final with Wigan but he was awarded man of the match honours.
It was because of his brilliant form in the English competition that Craig Bellamy called him and the rest is history.
“I’m very proud of my career,” he said.
“It’s not how I would have mapped it out if I’d had a choice but everything happens for a reason. The path I’ve been on has put me in really good shape to where I am today. I’ve changed myself as a person and footy player. It’s been great.
“I’ve been very lucky. I was able to experience success in the super league and come to a successful club in Melbourne and play finals football both years.”
Are you ready to be ‘the guy’?
It’s a question he’d never asked himself before. He hadn’t needed to.
After all, for the past two seasons he’s had the likes of Cameron Smith and Cooper Cronk by his side.
But the more he thought about it, the more excited he became at the prospect of being the backbone of the Manly spine.
the Sea Eagles.
The reason Green’s signing was important is because Barrett needed an older head to take the stress off his $1 million man.
And that’s exactly what he plans on doing.
“My role is going to be a lot different to what it was previously at the Storm,” Green told foxsports.com.au.
“That was probably the main reason for making the move.
“I thought I was ready to sort of be the guy. We’ll see how that works out. It’s not about individuals. Trent has come up with a style that’s going to play to the strengths of everyone in our team.”
Playing in the halves, Green has always been considered a leader.
But at 30 with a Super League title to his name and two successful seasons with the Storm, Barrett’s sales pitch struck a chord with the Cabramatta junior.
“When I first spoke to (Barrett), it wasn’t something I was looking for but he thought at this stage of my career it was something I was ready to do,” Green said of leading.
“He was interested in bringing me in as a leader and taking what I’d learnt from the culture I’d experienced in Melbourne and at Wigan, both very successful clubs, and bring as much as I can to the team.”
A journey man of the game, Green started his career with Parramatta back in 2007.
He played six games in his rookie year before the Sharks came calling with a two-year-deal where he played alongside Brett Kimmorley.
In 2010 he satisfied the utility role at Canterbury, playing hooker, half and even backrow before leaving the country in search of a starting spot.
It was over the next four seasons Green really found his feet and established himself as a starting first grader.
Not only did he win the 2013 Super League grand final with Wigan but he was awarded man of the match honours.
It was because of his brilliant form in the English competition that Craig Bellamy called him and the rest is history.
“I’m very proud of my career,” he said.
“It’s not how I would have mapped it out if I’d had a choice but everything happens for a reason. The path I’ve been on has put me in really good shape to where I am today. I’ve changed myself as a person and footy player. It’s been great.
“I’ve been very lucky. I was able to experience success in the super league and come to a successful club in Melbourne and play finals football both years.”
