Latest news with #AdamOBrien
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a day ago
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Speculation a 'kick in the guts' for Knights coach
Adam O'Brien admits it's a "kick in the guts" to have his job become the subject of a media circus, insisting he remains the right man to coach Newcastle. O'Brien's future has come under question across six NRL seasons at the Knights but the coach was nevertheless taken aback by reports this week that claimed management had all but decided he would be fired after 2025. "It was a little bit of a shock on the Monday," he said. "But since then I can honestly say, I haven't let it consume me one bit." Injury-hit Newcastle have regressed from elimination finalists in 2024 to this season's worst attacking side by the numbers. Reports have claimed only a late season resurgence will save O'Brien's job, and that rise would have to come without injured talismans Fletcher Sharpe, Dylan Lucas and Kalyn Ponga. Ponga himself quashed rumours that he could be on his way out of the Hunter earlier this week. Coach O'Brien understood pressure came with the territory of being an NRL coach, but said it had been affecting those close to him. "You're put in a position where you understand that there's going to be pressure. A lot rides on winning footy games," he said. "It's not ideal for your loved ones and your family, and friends. It affects them. "I wouldn't be human if you probably get a little bit sick of being kicked in the guts. "But at the end of the day, (worrying) is not going to help the playing group. That is always at the forefront of my mind: Do my bit to help these boys win footy games." O'Brien has taken the Knights to finals in four of his previous five seasons in charge, only missing out in 2022, for a 44.9 per cent win record all up. But Newcastle only appeared a chance at the premiership as dark horses in 2023, when they reached the second week of the play-offs. O'Brien would not confirm whether he had addressed the media reports with Knights management, only saying he still believed he was the right man to coach the team. "I do," he said. "Dealing in speculation from media outlets isn't helpful. I've just taken the approach that I'm the coach of the club right now, I haven't wavered in my commitment or my work ethic. "It's a deep honour for me to be the coach of the club and I just present every day like that." O'Brien is adamant the headlines will not distract the Newcastle playing group from Sunday's home game against the depleted Warriors. "The team were quite clear that none of that will affect our performance on the weekend. We won't let it be a distraction," he said. "We can't deal in speculation, all we can do is control our preparation for the game."
Yahoo
a day ago
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'Not fair on them': Family detail as Andrew Johns makes unexpected career call
Andrew Johns has revealed he won't be putting his hand up to coach the Newcastle Knights in the event that Adam O'Brien is sacked, saying it wouldn't be fair on his family to move away from Sydney. And the NRL Immortal says he has no desire to ever become a head coach. The Knights are reportedly preparing to part ways with O'Brien at season's end, with the club sitting 13th on the ladder heading into Round 20. Fans have long been calling for Johns to get involved in a bigger capacity at the club, and many believe he should be the head coach. But speaking on the 'Immortal Behaviour' podcast this week, the Newcastle legend said it won't be happening. Johns has three young children - one with wife Kate - and they're currently based in Sydney. The Channel 9 personality said it wouldn't be fair on his family to move back to Newcastle when they're so entrenched in their lives in Sydney. "I'll never coach, because I haven't got the personality," Johns said when asked by Allana Ferguson if he'd ever consider coaching the Knights. "I live in Sydney and I love where I'm living. The drive up there, I couldn't be doing it and I'm not moving back to Newcastle. "I haven't got the personality and I haven't got the patience. It would be like watching Charlie Sheen come undone. It would be entertaining for everyone, but I've got a young family too and it's not fair on them." NRL legend identifies main priority for Newcastle rebuild Johns said whoever is coaching the Knights next season needs to make the junior pathways a priority. "The big question isn't about who coaches next - it's about what the next person does with the junior structure," he said. "Newcastle can not attract marquee players, plural. We have always built from within, looked at our local juniors coming through and put so much work into them. Build from within and then find the position we are deficient in and then go buy a Ben Kennedy - that was the structure of the club since day dot. "I don't know what the DNA of the Knights is anymore. How are we gonna play? What sort of team are we? What sort of club are we? Recruit players which suit our DNA. "Whoever comes in (as coach), or if Adam (O'Brien) is there next year, they have got to sit there and say 'what is our DNA?' Say to the junior coaches - I don't give a rats if you win a comp in 17s or 19s or 21s, we are gonna judge you on producing first graders. If you can produce first graders who are coming through the system, your job is safe. I don't want you playing our Under 17s like robots … find our DNA and coach these kids." RELATED: Ivan Cleary's genius laid bare after call to axe Panthers Test player Latrell Mitchell spotted in sad post-match moment amid Souths low Andrew Johns' emotional plea to Knights bosses Johns revealed he's been inundated with calls from former teammates complaining about the state of the club. It comes amid news that Cooper Votano - one of their highest-rated teenagers - has signed with the Melbourne Storm for next season. "I care so much … I'm getting emotional, because it means so much to me," he said. "My phone from blokes I used to play with is just ringing and they're all the same, all frustrated. We want the club to be successful, but we want the junior pathways to be sorted out - we need 75 per cent of our team to be local players." Despite rumours that Kalyn Ponga isn't happy and wants out of the club, the future is still looking bright. Dylan Brown will arrive in 2026 to play in the halves - a position of weakness for the last few years. And young guns Fletcher Sharpe, Fletcher Hunt and Kyle McCarthy have shown they belong at NRL level.
Yahoo
2 days ago
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Crushing new blow for Knights fans as Melbourne Storm poach young star from Newcastle
A tumultuous week for the Newcastle Knights has gone from bad to worse, with the club reportedly losing one of its best young talents to the Melbourne Storm. Rumours that Kalyn Ponga is unhappy at the club refuse to go away, despite him insisting on Thursday that he's staying put. Coach Adam O'Brien is said to be on borrowed time, with the club reportedly preparing to part ways with him at the end of the season. And club officials are facing backlash for an 'insensitive' oversight towards former player Alex McKinnon. But the situation went from bad to worse on Friday amid reports the Storm have poached young gun Cooper Votano from Newcastle. The is reporting that 16-year-old Votano has agreed to join the Storm from next season. Described as "one of the game's most promising young playmakers", Cooper is the younger brother of NSW Under-19 representative Connor Votano. Cooper helped the Knights make the Harold Matthews Cup grand final this season in the Under-17s competition. Predominantly a half, Cooper's exit is a hammer blow for the Knights considering their struggle in the position in recent seasons. Jackson Hastings, Tyson Gamble and Jack Cogger have all failed to cement their place in the halves for Newcastle, however Fletcher Sharpe has emerged as a genuine superstar at five-eighth. The Knights also have Dylan Brown arriving in 2026 to play halfback. Votano's move to Melbourne is seen as an insurance policy for the Storm amid uncertainty around Jahrome Hughes and Cameron Munster. Hughes is contracted until the end of 2026, while Munster's deal is one year longer. Both are expected to receive lucrative offers from expansion clubs Perth and PNG, and there's also the looming threat of the cashed-up R360 rugby competition. How does Cooper Votano's exit affect brother Connor? The Storm also have talented young playmakers Jonah Pezet and Tyran Wishart on their books. Votano's exit will be a huge worry for Knights officials desperate to retain brother Connor. The 19-year-old played in the junior State of Origin game for NSW in 2024, and is viewed as one of the Knights' top prospects. However he's predominantly a fullback, meaning he'll struggle to crack the first-grade team while Ponga remains at the club. There was speculation earlier this year that Connor had drawn interest from the Bulldogs, but a family member moved to insist he was committed to remaining in Newcastle. RELATED: 'Real concern' for Panthers as Nathan Cleary floated for $3m exit Wayne Bennett 'ban' set to be upheld amid awful news about Latrell With Cooper Votano now heading to the Storm, it remains to be seen how his exit will affect Connor's future. The Storm have one of the best fullbacks in the game in Ryan Papenhuyzen, but he's also off contract at the end of 2026. There's a 'mutual' option in his deal to remain in 2027 if both he and the club agree, but he's also been floated as a top target for R360 and has admitted he'd consider it. As for Ponga, he stated on Thursday that he's committed to the Knights. The superstar fullback has reportedly hired a rugby union agent based in New Zealand, and has been discussed in meetings involving R360 offcials. But he wrote on social media: "Committed to the end of 2027. Excited about the vision of the club. Appreciate those that support me!"
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3 days ago
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Kalyn Ponga makes huge call on Knights future as Adam O'Brien exit claims take a turn
Newcastle Knights fullback Kalyn Ponga has committed his future to the club having expressed his excitement at the project the team is building as coach Adam O'Brien's exit at the end of the season is not a 'foregone conclusion'. The Knights have embroiled in plenty of drama this week with reports emerging Ponga was looking to leave before the end of his contract to chase opportunities presenting themselves in rugby union. Ponga still has two years still to run on a deal worth $1.4 million per season. The club was rocked with the news, but it came as reports emerged Newcastle were already looking at replacing coach O'Brien after the season was completed. The Knights have had a horror injury run in recent weeks - with Ponga ruled out for the season - but sit in 13th with a tough draw remaining to see out the season. And despite speculation Ponga could be looking at a new opportunity in rugby, the Queensland and Knights fullback has moved to quell all noise and commit his future to the club. Taking to social media on Thursday, the fullback said he is excited for the next step for the club with the likes of Parramatta Eels playmaker Dylan Brown arriving next year. "Committed to the end of 2027. Excited about the vision of the club. Appreciate those that support me," he wrote accompanied with a picture of him celebrating a try in front of the home crowd. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝙆𝘼𝙇𝙔𝙉 𝙋𝙊𝙉𝙂𝘼 (@kalyn__ponga) Ponga committing to the club is a massive win for the fans who have supported the fullback throughout his journey. With the likes of Brown joining the side and playing in the halves, it should give the team a massive boost for the 2026 season. And while the Knights' No.1 man is ready to fight for the jersey, it remains to be seen who will be coaching the side next year. Adam O'Brien future in doubt in Newcastle Newcastle bosses are also reportedly preparing to part ways with coach Adam O'Brien at season's end, and are willing to pay him out $1.2 million. A number of candidates have been linked to the job, but speaking on Thursday morning reporter Michael Carayannis suggested it isn't a foregone conclusion O'Brien won't be there next year. "There has been lots of innuendo about firstly, Adam O'Brien's future...I don't think it's a foregone conclusion that Adam O'Brien is not the coach of the Newcastle Knights next year. That's the conversation I've had with people," Carayannis said on SEN Radio. "It's not a certainty that he won't be there...I wouldn't necessarily call him a dead man walking yet." The Knights are reportedly giving O'Brien eight weeks to show improvement in the side. However, the club face a tough run with the likes of Warriors, Raiders and Panthers.
Yahoo
3 days ago
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Newcastle No.1 insists he's committed to Knights
Kalyn Ponga insists he will remain at Newcastle until the end of his contract amid uncertainty over his future at the Knights. Midway through a tough eighth season at the club, Ponga was this week linked with a move to rugby union, with reports claiming he had engaged the services of an agent in New Zealand. It came as speculation mounts that coach Adam O'Brien could be shown the door at the end of the season as Newcastle appear destined to miss the top eight. But Ponga took to social media to insist he would be with the Knights through to the end of his current deal. View this post on Instagram A post shared by 𝙆𝘼𝙇𝙔𝙉 𝙋𝙊𝙉𝙂𝘼 (@kalyn__ponga) "Committed to the end of 2027. Excited about the vision of the club. Appreciate those that support me!" Ponga posted on Instagram. The news is a boost to a Knights side that would likely have needed to move Fletcher Sharpe out of the halves to replace Ponga at fullback had he left for the 15-man code next year. That would have left Newcastle without a clear front-runner to partner big-money recruit Dylan Brown in the halves when he arrives from Parramatta in 2026. Ponga has struggled for form on an individual level this year and is currently sidelined with a season-ending foot injury.
