When a relationship comes to a conclusion, it’s nice to be able to say that the decision was mutual. Of course, it’s rarely true.
So more than a few people would have raised an eyebrow when it was announced that Nathan Brown will finish his tenure as coach of the Newcastle Knights at season’s end on mutually agreeable terms.
However, that’s the story coming out of head office, with the Knights releasing a statement that read: “both Brown and Knights Chief Executive Officer Philip Gardner feel it’s the appropriate time to move on with his career.”
Now, there are any number of stories doing the rounds about how Brown jumped before he was shoved.
Word is that there’s a push to have one of the Roosters’ assistants – either Craig Fitzgibbon or Adam O’Brien, maybe both – installed as coach for 2020 and beyond.
Having reportedly been hauled into Gardner’s office twice in the space of seven days, Brown saw the writing on the wall and gave the club the easy out, saying he’d finish up at the end of this year.
Thing is, Brown wouldn’t have required a particularly strong cuppa to read his own tea leaves.
The club, its supporters and the rugby league-mad region of the Hunter have been incredibly patient with the man who is, statistically speaking, the worst coach Newcastle have ever had.
(Tony Feder/Getty Images)
Of course, the reason for said patience is because – as Spiro loves to quote – “Statistics are like bikinis. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital.”
Brown arrived to a club decimated by years of mismanagement, having churned through three coaches in 12 months, with the NRL being forced to prop the joint up financially after the debacle that was Nathan Tinkler’s reign.
After seeing what optimism did to his predecessor – Rick Stone lasted mere months as head coach – Brown instead opted to be realistic.
In fact, brutally honest is probably the more accurate descriptor, speaking of a rebuild that would take years, which unfortunately was all too accurate.
However, after two wooden spoons on Brown’s watch, things started to turn around.
Having sacrificed two years to get the roster he inherited under control, 2018 saw significant improvement, as new recruits Kalyn Ponga and Mitchell Pearce helped lead the club out of the cellar to an 11th place finish.
Of course, reading that sentence is part of the reason why Brown needed to absolutely blitz this season to keep his gig.
After three years of finishing dead last, coming in sixth place from stone-cold bottom was a step up, but not last isn’t what a club should ever call a successful season.
The Broncos haven’t missed the finals in years and are very much in control of their own destiny for 2019 – yet this year is considered a disaster for Brisbane because a home semi-final isn’t likely to happen.
And the Bulldogs’ 2019 roster was in complete disarray – reportedly unfixable until 2021 – yet they are just one win behind the Knights on the ladder. This is their ‘disaster’ year and the wooden spoon isn’t even possible anymore.
That’s what the Knights need to measure themselves against, especially now they are in a position of financial strength. Bottom of the eight is bad, missing finals has people hitting the panic button.
Of course, Wests had only taken over as owners at the end of 2017, so the club faithful were willing to call 2018 what it was – besides, a step up was significantly better than stagnating at the arse end of the ladder for a fourth consecutive year.
And with the likes of Tim Glasby, Jesse Ramien and – are you shitting me, they actually managed to sign him? – David Klemmer on the books for 2019, the Knights were primed to finally make a legitimate assault on the NRL premiership.
A top-four finish was on the cards, with a finals place the bare-bones requirement not to consider the 2019 season a total write-off.
Yet here we are, with three weeks until the knockout phase of the year begins, and the red and blue are a mathematical chance of being there – win all three remaining matches and they could still be on Mad Monday come September 9.
With new(ish) owners Wests having posted a profit last season, a significant improvement in what were already impressive home-ground attendances, a whiz-bang centre of excellence being built, some serious junior talent coming through the ranks and – most important of all – a top-30 roster littered with representative stars, Brown has run out of excuses.
This year he needed to finally put up and prove that he wasn’t just the man to rebuild the club, but the coach who could finally break an 18-year grand final drought.
Winning it all this year wasn’t ever really happening, but streaks of five and six losses in a row overshadowed that sweet run of victories in the middle part of the season.
Brown may not have lost the dressing room, but – thumping win against the Cowboys aside – it’s become apparent that a new voice is required. The troops simply aren’t leaping to attention at their head coach’s order anymore.
(AAP Image/Darren Pateman)
And that’s likely because he’s the same bloke who gave way too many of them a start when they weren’t ready and didn’t deserve to play first grade. That he was so desperate for a circuit-breaker he paid huge overs – the biggest contract for a teenager in rugby league history – to get Kalyn Ponga to the Hunter. That he kept selecting Jesse Ramien when it had become apparent the young centre’s heart was no longer in it for the red-and-blue jersey.
I’m not criticising Brown or saying that someone else would have made better decisions – these were pretty much all calls that were forced upon him, and some have been proven absolutely correct.
But they backed him into a position that had become virtually untenable. He’d been the nice guy one too many times and, whether consciously or not, the players had stopped responding.
So Nathan Brown will depart the Newcastle Knights.
As for what his legacy will be, I suspect he will be remembered fondly.
He was honest, hard-working, respectful and appreciative of the club’s fans and sponsors, and – critically – gave the town a team worth cheering for once again.
Gardner referred to Brown as “one of the most important coaches in Knights history”, before saying “it would be wrong to measure his contribution to the Knights in wins and losses alone”.
“Nathan leaves with our utmost respect and gratitude for the transformational role he has played,” the CEO said.
“What’s more, he leaves with our thanks. When the Knights return to the upper echelons of the NRL, Nathan Brown will be able to take his fair share of the credit.”
In the days to come, there are likely to be rumours and tales of fallings out and backroom deals being done. That this supposedly mutual break-up was actually a one-way decision.
But I’d like to believe Brown is a sharp enough operator to realise he had done his dash as boss of the Knights.
And I know Newcastle will be forever grateful to a man who took on a thankless task and brought pride back to a club that was perilously close to the brink.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
Brown had local halves Lamb and Cogger, who are probably no more than solid first graders, but then bought a 6 in Connor Watson, rated at the time as one of the most exciting young talents in the game. Then he bought Pearce, and both Lamb and Cogger went elsewhere. Watson has gone backwards, even though he has Pearce as senior halves partner. As you say, Ramien looked special...until he came to the Knights. That's two special talents wasted. He let Meaney go, who looks very good. He hasn't developed Levi, who three years ago was the NZ hooker at age 21.... what's happened? From the outside looking in, it appears Brown struggles to develop young players
Chris Love
Roar Guru
Even though he asked for patience and got it initially, it was very obvious at the time that the cohort of juniors coming through Newcastle at the time were never going to develop into premiership winning talent. Especially while they had hardly any star talent or real solid veterans to learn from. Getting flogged every week teaches very little. Brown HAD to make a move on a few strategic buys or there’s no way he’d still be there now. Ponga, Pearce and Klemmer have all been very astute and big dollar. Others like Ramien haven’t been so good. When I looked at the sides at the start of the year I thought they would be 4 or 5 places above sides like say Manly and Canberra. Who would have thought players like Bateman, Charnse N-K, Gosiewski, Thompson, Garrick, Cust and Waddell would have had such big impacts on their teams at the start? All the while Ramien was a flop, and due to his price tag was given way to much time in the side instead of giving a junior talent a shot. I think one more year and a decent 9/6/3 signing would have this knights side absolutely humming. A year too early but next year was seen as a year too many.
Boo-urns
Roar Rookie
Good article. Progression for young players isn’t linear. The next head coach might make his reputation if some of those guys make a leap next year.
Steve
Guest
Not sure how dignified his exit has been. 4 years down the track and he's still blaming Wayne Bennett for all his woes.....get over it Nathan and take some responsibility. He's had a great roster this year and has done virtually bugger all with it.
Richard POWELL
Roar Rookie
What if??? What if they win the next 3 games and sneak into the eight??? (What if they hadn't lost those couple of games by a point or two???) What if they have some success and proceed deep into September??? Do the fans implore Brown ( and Gardner to let him) stay????? Let's see what the players have to say over the next 3 weeks
Paul
Roar Guru
I can see why John, but I think the other sides should have been playing in the finals this year, if all have played to the potential they have within their rosters. The Titans are a tough side to coach, no argument, but I'm not sure their fans had great expectations this year as I'm sure Dragons, Knights & Cowboys fans did, about making it to the finals at least.
Succhi
Roar Rookie
He took on a job that nobody else wanted. But this year has been one of under performance. I agree with that fact that whoever takes on the new coaching role will have a decent roster to work with. Not a lot of experienced coaches available at the moment. Griffin, Henry or Flanagan? Craig Fitzgibbon or Jason Ryles seem to be the pick of the assistant coaches. Maybe Joey will have a crack?
aiden
Guest
good summary
Aiden
Guest
How about this, good recruiter, very good at the transformation part, not so great at the coaching for game day bit. He'd probably be very good in that Gus Gould at Penrith type role.
Aiden
Guest
The main thing is, all the rebuilding aside, his roster this year is fantastic and he probably has not coached them to their potential. It just does not look to me like he knows how to get the best of of that playing group.
Illawarra Flame
Roar Rookie
I bet Brownie wishes he could have magically switched roles with Paul McGregor and been judged by the Dragons board instead of the Knights management. He would have had a two year extension in his pocket by now.
Kannga2
Roar Rookie
Using the broncos as a comparison is ridiculously flawed . Did the author assume it’s a level playing field . It’s not close to a level playing field. The broncos have a huge city to engage their third party payments, they have solid financial backing and haven’t had to recover from a Nathen Tinkler episode The broncos are the biggest underachievers in Australian sport . But back to Nathan Brown, I can see the logic in moving him on , although I thought brad Arthur should be sacked last year and look how the stability has worked for parra
John
Guest
I would have put Titans up there too.
watda
Guest
I listened with interest on the radio this morning as Nathan Ross explained how he felt Brown should not get another head coach gig due to his poor man management skill's (Jason Taylor ring a bell?). He said he would be good as an assistant but that's about it. I think the myth of Brown being a decent coach is perpetuated by his friends in the media. I am sure Trent Barrett agrees these are the people who need slapping.
mbp
Guest
great coach. he got a club in a much bigger mess than the bulldogs into a great position again. hopefully the new coach will make some good long term decisions so newcastle grows into a powerhouse again. job well done nathan brown!
Big Daddy
Guest
Coaching St Helens was a pretty good accomplishment but the step up to NRL teams is a huge gap and it's something that Justin Holbrook has to deal with. Coaching is a hard gig wether your a seasoned guy or a young guy coming out of first grade. Guys like Barrett and Garth brennan are learning fast but they still all hold this ambition they still want to do it and back up for more. My pick would be Griffin as he is a good disciplinarian. Part of the coaches role is dealing with interfering board members . Whoever gets the role knows it will be a performance based contract.
Paul
Roar Guru
The Warriors are in a special class all their own, Soda. So many talented players and such a difficult side to get to play consistently well. It's more of thankless job than the 3 I've named.
Bunney
Roar Rookie
Very well said TB. The list was way over-hyped for mine, although Klemmer was a huge signing. I'm fascinated by how Brown gets judged - yes he started with a crappy team, but he went for the 'patience, we're rebuilding using local juniors' route, and then proceeded to sign a bunch of out-of-towners and play most of the locals in reserve grade. Brown's best 17 has 2 juniors max, and he's jettisoning his best hooker for another out-of-towner... Apart from buying cattle, what has Brown achieved?? Who has he developed? He sees himself as a rebuilding coach, but seems to lack the ability to develop young players with promise into genuine 1st graders.
elvis
Roar Rookie
It takes more than a year of playing together to get a team of good players to win. The Broncos couldn't do it with a virtual Qld team in 88. This a coaching job I would love to get if I were a first grade coach.
Soda
Roar Rookie
Add New Zealand into that mix of hard teams to coach. I think its going to be an interesting couple of weeks for coaches of the teams that miss the finals. Who would have thought that dean pay would look the safest of the bunch?