Nathan Brown has declared a drought-breaking premiership for Newcastle is closer than most think as the NRL club searches for his replacement as coach.
The Knights haven’t won a title since 2001, when Andrew Johns was at halfback and the likes of Danny Buderus and Robbie O’Davis were with him in the spine.
Since then they’ve won as many wooden spoons as they have finals matches, with the post-Andrew Johns rebuild stunted by the Nathan Tinkler era.
In Brown’s tenure though, the Knights have uncovered the likes of young local talents Lachlan Fitzgibbon, Mitchell Barnett and Jacob and Daniel Saifiti.
And with his resignation for the end of the season complete, Brown can see his eventual successor finishing his rebuild quickly with a grand final win.
“I think it (a title) is a lot closer than what people think,” Brown said.
“Knights best football teams always have good local juniors in them and some good recruits around them.
“Obviously we have been fortunate with (Mitchell) Pearcey and Kalyn (Ponga) and David Klemmer.
“The Knights two sides that won the grand finals had a core group of local players that started their football in the system.
“Next year is the first time we’ll have four or five good players who will be able to play an amount of football.”
Brown also declared that his departure would allow the club a shot at their most stable year since that 2001 title success.
A finals finish this year still remains a possibility, with the Knights needing three wins from their finals three games to be a chance of reaching the business end.
But after building a roster on the back of smart recruitment and developing local talent, Brown labelled a change of culture at the club as his best feat.
“The biggest thing I believe is when I first came here the best work was done at the green roof on the dance floors at the night clubs and the bars,” Brown said.
“The drinking culture was horrible and it’s ruined careers. Whereas now I think these kids know what to prepare for and to live life properly.
“That’s my biggest achievement.”
Nat
Roar Guru
That wasn't a comment on his coaching but more his comments on his best achievement. Not sure the correlation between Brown, Bennett and Seibold aside from the latter have coached teams into the finals. How did Bennett A bomb the place? Did he stop paying the players? Pearce is only there because his ego wouldn't let him stay at the Roosters (and hold the trophy). He paid massive overs for Ponga at the time. Granted it paid off, to a point, they still haven't played finals. SKD sacked by Roosters. Guerra - playing reserves. Do you think Siafiti deserved to be NSW prop given his stats and 66rm during the series. Couldn't handle Ramien. Klemmer is probably the only star who was lured there on their own acord but he wasn't coming from a winning team either. In isolation they have good players, Brown has been unable to make them into a good team.
souvalis
Roar Rookie
He’s leaving the club with the core of a wonderful professional squad, polar difference to the coach preceding who basically A bombed the place...D.Saf’s become an SOO player, MP’s back in blue, Klemm is onwards and upwards..and KP tells us he is where he is because of Brown...what line states he’s given up on this year, by the way..meanwhile ol’ Benny gets punted from the Broncos and currently adding to that legacy with the Rabbits..the new Bronco coach knows the appropriate time to open his mouth too,apparently..
BA Sports
Roar Guru
Good points. If i were a Knights fan and i was listening to the current coach of my team - who can still make the Finals and thus still win the Premiership - basically say, a premiership is close, but it won't be this year... I would be wondering why he is still the coach! Brown needs to stop talking for a while.
Nat
Roar Guru
“The drinking culture was horrible and it’s ruined careers. Whereas now I think these kids know what to prepare for and to live life properly. “That’s my biggest achievement.” He's been there for 3 yrs yet just one month ago they had to ban players from the GreenRoof after the Lino incident. Siafiti got into a fight there and broke his leg. Moga assaulted a taxi driver out front of a club this year. I know his bar is set very low but if that's his biggest achievement, no wonder he's looking for a job.