Those regular readers would have noted last week in the lead up to the NRL Grand Final that I had been criminally sleeping on Slade Griffin as a #KiwiNRL Melbourne Storm cuzzie. Most of y'all probably didn't even know who Griffin was, or that he did actually get a few GF minutes, such has been his journey and role with the Storm. Now the kid from Greymouth has been rewarded with a move to Newcastle Knights, that could very well see him nail a consistent #KiwiNRL gig and greater responsibility.

Leaving Melbourne will be a bummer for Griffin as the Storm stood by Griffin and offered him contracts as he battled multiple major knee injuries. Melbourne didn't flick our cuzzie to the curb and kept him around, allowing him stability and Griffin eventually made his way back into the Storm's 17 on a regular basis, culminating in a GF and a Championship ring. 

Since making his debut 2013, Griffin has only played 25 games and with Cameron Smith holding down dummy half and another #KiwiNRL cuzzie Brandon Smith next in line, Griffin now has a chance to nudge his career along. Griffin has showed that he can endure and get back into the NRL, thanks to Melbourne's support and now it's time for Griffin to cash in (relatively speaking) with a two-year deal. 

Griffin is a hooker/lock who is likely to play a major role in shaping the future of Newcastle Knights, given his experience in Melbourne. Another former Melbourne forward Rory Kostjasyn was forced to retire this season after making the move down from North Queensland Cowboys and Griffin is set to play the same type of role as Nathan Brown would have signed Kostjasyn for. 

Expect to see Griffin play a lot of hooker, which could come at the expense of the cuzzie Danny Levi who is starting to blossom with greater #KiwiNRL opportunities. Coach Brown has the luxury via Griffin's versatility that he can start games with Griffin and keep Griffin on the field, playing him as a middle forward while Levi slots in at hooker. Griffin could also start games as a middle forward, thus allowing Levi to start at hooker and Griffin would balance out Newcastle's pack.

Newcastle have made some nifty recruitment moves for next season and have bolstered their #KiwiNRL presence with the signing of Griffin. Kalyn Ponga is still yet to pledge his international allegiance, so we can still mention him in the #KiwiNRL convo and along with former Brisbane Broncos big bopper Herman Ese'ese, they will join Shaun Kenny-Dowall and Danny Levi.

All of the #KiwiNRL Knights cuzzies are likely to feature in Newcastle's strongest 17; Ponga at fullback, Kenny-Dowall on a wing, Ese'ese starting or off the bench and Griffin/Levi as explained above. Don't sleep on Newcastle Knights becoming a low key #KiwiNRL band-wagon team to support and come next season, I'll be intrigued by Griffin's role in Newcastle's rebuild.

Peace and love 27.

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