Last season it was Ivan Cleary’s ‘Wests Tigers or Penrith’ coaching drama that was played out in the media in the last few rounds of the NRL competition.
While Ivan and journalists went toe to toe and Cleary spoke about “misinformation” and “honouring his Wests Tigers contract,” the on-field performances were scratchy, culminating in a large Round 25 loss to the Rabbitohs.
The Newcastle Knights situation is a different and slightly smellier kettle of fish. Here we have a humble and self-deprecating NRL coach that insists he wasn’t pushed or didn’t jump before he was pushed.
Surprisingly Brown openly says that he realised that he wasn’t the coach to take the club forward while speaking in almost affectionate terms about “the boss” Phillip Gardner, Newcastle Knights CEO. This is unusual behaviour for an outgoing NRL coach who more often than not possess Donald Trump-like egos.
If Brown wants another coaching gig, and I am assuming that he is not yet ready to spend the rest of his days fishing on the North Coast, then I am not sure the best course is to admit that you were not up to the job at a club that has recruited strongly over the last few years.
Newcastle Knights coach Nathan Brown. (Tony Feder/Getty Images)
With a squad that includes Kalyn Ponga, Mitch Pearce, David Klemmer and Tim Glasby and the club on the verge of returning to finals football it seems inconceivable that Brown doesn’t want to be around for the good times.
There has been talk that Brown is not hard enough on his players.
A turning point emerged a few weeks back when Brown told outside back Jesse Ramien that he could walk away after he discovered Jesse’s father was shopping him around to other clubs. Ramien stated that the Knights didn’t suit his style of play and is currently seeking a contract elsewhere.
Fox Sports revealed that the Knights unsuccessfully attempted to persuade Ramien back into the fold after Brown announced he would leave the club at the end of the season, putting the issue firmly at the feet of the coach.
Following an impending coach departure, teams will often rally around and put in a good showing for their mentor.
There was a distinct lack of ‘let’s do it for Browny’ sentiment about their performance last Saturday. The Wests Tigers had a field day against a side that frankly lacked intensity. Klemmer and Shaun Kenny-Dowall tried hard but there was no urgency in a game where finals contention was on the line.
The tactic to play Benji Marshall at dummy half in the early stages of the match before injecting the energetic play of Josh Reynolds proved to be a successful one for Wests Tigers coach Mike Maguire. It’s a rare moment to see the Tigers put 46 points on any team. The backline sang like they were conducting the captain’s run at Concord.
Josh Reynolds of the Tigers (Photo by Matt King/Getty Images)
An obviously angry and dejected Brown again pointed to himself as a catalyst for the outcome in the press conference after the match, stating “it was pretty clear tonight that the performance we got in the first half was why me and the boss came to the conclusion that we did.”
It is harder to find a ride on the NRL head coach merry go round than it used to be to break into the Aussie cricket team.
Kevin Walters and Craig Fitzgibbon reportedly dealt themselves out of contention for the Newcastle head coach role. How many times will Kevvie get a mention before he secures the number one clipboard at an NRL club?
News Limited are reporting that Brown offered to quit the Knights immediately. Kalyn Ponga flippantly mentioned his nice strawberry thick shake as a reason he “wasn’t too sad” about the coach’s departure.
It’s safe to say Nathan has well and truly lost the dressing room.
Former Storm and current Roosters Assistant Coach Adam O’Brien is strongly tipped to take the seat. While he has plenty of experience with winning cultures and systems it is somewhat surprising the Knights haven’t plumped for a more experienced hard head at the top level. That said, I am not sure that Tim Sheens or Anthony Griffin would be the best long term options.
Meanwhile, the Knights are an unlikely but mathematical possibility of making the finals in 2019.
Nathan Brown won’t get the rewards of living in the house that he rebuilt almost from scratch when he started at the club three years ago.
The story is evolving daily, there are sure to be more rumours, truths and half-truths come out of the Knights as the coach packs up his desk.
If Adam O’Brien can come in and turn the culture and mindset around, he has the cattle to make the people of Newcastle very happy over the next few years.
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