‘Listen to Joey': Knights coach slammed amid $2m truth bomb
The Newcastle Knights have been urged to recall Jackson Hastings and stick with a consistent halves pairing amid growing pressure on coach Adam O'Brien.
Newcastle take on Penrith in Bathurst on Saturday in a must win game, which you can watch on Fox League via Kayo.
The Knights will be without Kalyn Ponga who is in Queensland camp, while the Panthers are missing Nathan Cleary, Dylan Edwards, Liam Martin, Isaah Yeo and Brian To'o due to NSW Origin duties.
FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every game of every round in the 2025 NRL Telstra Premiership, LIVE with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer.
In Ponga's absence, young gun Fletcher Sharpe has been moved from the halves to fullback, with Tyson Gamble and Jack Cogger named in the halves.
Jackson Hastings has been included on an extended interchange, but it remains to be seen if the out-of-favour veteran earns a recall for his first NRL game of the year.
Speaking to news.com.au, Tigers great Steve 'Blocker' Roach criticised the move to move Sharpe out of the halves and said it was time for O'Brien to pick and stick.
'They're struggling because they don't pick the same halves every week,' Roach said.
'They've swapped and changed half a dozen times. You've got to have that continuity in your spine, especially in your halves.
'They dropped Cogger a couple of weeks ago and now they've brought him back. I don't really know what they're doing.'
'Same thing with moving Fletcher Sharpe back to fullback. He's killing it at five-eighth, why would you move him? I know Kalyn's not there this week but I don't get it … to weaken one position to strengthen another.'
O'Brien has chopped and changed his halves this season, with a feud behind the scenes reportedly a contributing factor in the decision to leave Hastings out of the team.
Knights legend Andrew Johns has called on O'Brien to pick Hastings, who is on a $700,000 contract that ends at the end of this year.
'They've got to work out who their halves are (because) Tyson Gamble's not a halfback, he's a really good 14,' Johns said.
'One thing about Jackson, he's polarising as we all know, but he can get you around the park. He'll organise, he can get a game plan on, he kicks well and he brings other players into play.
'There's rumours about certain feuds and all this, which I couldn't give a rat's about.
'Whoever's the best No.7, put them in there and leave them there, because there's no stability in the key areas.'
Roach agreed, adding: 'Listen to Joey Johns, probably the greatest halfback ever to play. If he's saying he (Hastings) should be there and leading the team around, what do you reckon? I'd be listening to Joey.'
Knights coach responds amid $2m payout drama
The Knights sit 16th on the ladder having lost seven of their past eight games, placing immense scrutiny on coach Adam O'Brien, who is contracted to the end of 2027.
O'Brien has been the coach since 2020 and made finals four times, but this year's form has many wondering if he will be sacked.
'I don't even know how to help Newcastle,' Braith Anasta said on BTFU's 180 Podcast.
'I'd hate to be in that inner sanctum now, the vibe would be like a funeral.
'The whole thing around him is the $2 million payout. I don't think many other coaches, the way they're going and position they're in, would have survived as long as he has.
'A lot of it has to do with the money he is owed with a payout there and you've got to question why they re-signed him, they weren't exactly flying … that was pretty crazy.'
O'Brien said on Thursday: 'I've got good, strong support from the board.
'They understand the situation that we're in with our depth and the injuries.
'Pressure and expectation comes with the job, I understand that. I'm used to it by now.
'We want results and I understand our supporters and sponsors want results - but I can't get fixated on that narrative. I've just got to focus on getting today right and being really committed to fighting our way out with the players.'
Tigers legend on Galvin: 'See ya later'
All signs are pointing to Lachlan Galvin being granted an early release from the Tigers at the end of this season after the young playmaker's decision not to stay beyond his contract that expires at the end of 2026.
There is growing speculation Galvin could even leave the Tigers mid-season, with the joint venture club reportedly expecting a transfer fee of $165,000 for his departure.
Balmain Tigers legend Roach, who urged Galvin to show 'loyalty' to the Tigers earlier this year, said it was time for the two parties to go their separate ways.
'You've got to want to play for your club,' Roach told news.com.au.
'I'm old school. If you don't want to be there, see ya later. Good luck to him.
'I think he does some good things and he's got potential but I don't think he's the type of player they're saying he is. He's not a Fittler or a Daley yet. Maybe it's a little bit of overhype.
'He's got ability, he's going to be good. But maybe they've pumped him up a bit too much too early.'
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