Adam O’Brien has fronted his final post-game press conference as Newcastle Knights coach, promising better days ahead following the club’s fourth wooden spoon since 2015.
Speaking after the 66-10 shellacking by the Parramatta Eels at Commbank Stadium, O’Brien’s disappointment was plain to see.
“It was tough one to watch, I can’t stick a ribbon on that, the people of our town don’t put up with bulls**t,” O’Brien said.
“With some individuals and players leaving the club, on their last day, our town doesn’t deserve a performance like that given what they sit through—I can’t lie, just bitterly disappointed.”
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‘It’s obviously the club’s decision’
With conversations inevitably turning to the club’s future, O’Brien pointed to a swathe of missing players who will return to the field in 2026.
“There are better days ahead definitely, but I know it’s hard to see at the moment,” he said.
“There’s another half (Fletcher Sharpe), a fullback (Kalyn Ponga) and you add Dylan (Brown) to that, a starting back rower, a lock—it’s all excuses, but they are quality players, there’s about six of them that will all jump back in.”
When asked for his thoughts on who his successor might be at the Knights in 2026, O’Brien once again played the diplomatic line while cautioning club powerbrokers against a complete overhaul.
“It’s obviously the club’s decision, but what I’m mindful of is that there is a bit of change in a number of departments,” he said.
“There’s an opportunity for some fresh voices and a clean slate, but you don’t want too much as well because there is some good work going on in the pathways and the development of our younger blokes.
“I don’t really want to name names because it’s none of my business now, it’s a club decision.
“But whoever comes in to take over, these boys need to use that performance (the loss against Parramatta) to fuel their pre-season and make sure they hit the ground running next year.”