In the space of seven days, the Newcastle Knights have gone from the announcement of Nathan Brown’s resignation to the hiring of Adam O’Brien, the Sydney Roosters assistant coach.
This will work wonders for the Newcastle Knights.
After spending over a decade with the Melbourne Storm coaching staff, O’Brien was in the first of three years with the Roosters, but he has a contract clause saying he can leave if he gets a head coaching role. This is a blessing in disguise.
I’ll give credit to Mitchell Pearce. He has apologised to Knights supporters about that embarrassment against the Wests Tigers. The players just didn’t click as they did last week when they defeated Cowboys.
Pearce being the halfback and captain makes him the most important player. The halfback on the field is essentially the general. There’s two things generals do: they gather their masses and they call the shots.
This Saturday will be our last home game of the year against the wooden-spooners, the Gold Coast Titans. There’s still a slight chance we can make the eight depending on the Knights winning our last two matches and other results going our way, but I’m not going to set anything in stone.
Knights supporters only want them give it their best – not just for us, but for themselves and to give Nathan Brown a happy memory in his last outing as Knights coach.
The rebuilding era of the Newcastle Knights is done. This year – whether in the finals or not – was to set the platform. And next year, we’ll really make our strides.
I know that Adam O’Brien wasn’t in my list of coaches to take the role next year, but I had no idea he was available.
He has gained a wealth of knowledge from both Craig Bellamy and Trent Robinson so he can use what he’s learned from the last decade-plus and put it into action.
With such a winning attitude and desire to succeed with Newcastle, it will give us a bright future.
When we finally win our next premiership, whichever year it may be, we can look back and say it was all worth it.
paulie
Guest
I think the reason he is so highly talked about is because of the success he shared at Melbourne. Not so much the roosters. Apperently players rate him highly but as anyone will tell you who has moved up the ladder, That can change quickly when you have to be the disciplinarian and a player gets dropped for poor form or getting on the juice to much which seems to be part of the culture at the Knights.
The King of the World
Roar Guru
How thoughtful. Should I buy him flowers or chocolates?
Superspud
Roar Rookie
Good assistants don't always make good head coaches, you may have heard of Jason Taylor. Wasn't Garth Brennan a super coach in waiting? How did that turn out? Can I see your Garth Brennan and raise you a Trent Barrett? I think it is a bit of a leap of faith to say that this will be the answer.
Malo
Guest
Expect nothing until they get rid of Ponga and Pearce and their aging roster
Big Daddy
Guest
Adam meet Adrian.
Christopher vassallo
Guest
:thumbup: good luck adam obrien couching the knights will not be easy but all the best
Paul
Roar Guru
"This will work wonders for the Newcastle Knights." Huge call Adrian, but I hope you're right. O'Brien has never had the top job, so no-one can be really sure what he brings to the table. He also needs to get buy-in to his methods & plans from his squad, especially the senior players & especially Mitchell Pearce. If he can't achieve that quickly and "own" the dressing room, I fear 2020 might be another season of disappointment for the Knights. On the other hand, if his methods work and with the players currently at his disposal, O'Brien has a squad that should be a real challenge for next year's premiership.