Knights coach Adam O’Brien has addressed the big “question that needs answering” after yet another horror loss to the Broncos in a 46-12 rout in front of their home fans.
Newcastle have now lost seven straight games and with the race to avoid the wooden spoon heating up, the Knights came up with a staggering 16 errors on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking in the post-match press conference, O’Brien was asked what he thought of his side’s performance.
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 >
WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
“I thought the guys (did) a great job in the first half, in particular they got off to a pretty red-hot start but the boys didn’t drop their bundle,” he said.
“They (did) a good job. I thought we were close to the better team heading into the break, but unfortunately it goes for 80 minutes.
“Fundamentals of the game really fell away, simple passing. I think that’s six two-on-ones that we’ve bombed in two weeks.
“And then fatigue and just fell off far too many tackles that led to tries.”
Then came the big question — how can the Knights fix the fundamental issues in their game?
To go with their mountain of errors, Newcastle also had only a 66 per cent completion rate and missed a 54 tackles.
Tigers link up for ‘try of the year’?! | 00:43
“It’s a question that needs answering or fixing over our summer,” O’Brien said.
“Clearly, we are at a point now where it looks like we are trying that hard, that we are making the simple things so hard.
“I guess a bit of anxiety and pressure adds to that, so a narrow focus over the summer to make sure we are getting the fundamentals (right).
“Some of it is experience on the big stage and fatigue. It’s not so much Tyson Frizell or this guy (Dane Gagai). It’s some of the younger guys coming up with the errors.
“Naturally, experience will fix it. But we can’t wait for that, we need to make sure we are focused on it at training.
“As I said to the players after the game, fundamentals of tackling and passing, well if you want a long, fruitful NRL career you have to be good at those two things.”
Under O’Brien, the Knights came 14th in 2022 but bounced back the following year to finish in fifth and make the semi finals.
Reports have previously emerged O’Brien is set to be axed as the end of the 2025 season, with the final two years of his contract to be paid out.
However, that move was put to bed by Knights chief Peter Parr, who was confident that O’Brien will remain at the helm next season.
The embattled coach was then quizzed on whether he thinks Newcastle can shift their fortunes next year.
“We’ve got to believe that don’t you. I can’t remember exactly what happened in 2022, but I think a lot of it had to do with some personnel being out for big periods,” he said.
“Obviously fell away towards the back end and as I said, naturally we are going to get half-a-dozen good NRL players back into the team over the summer.
“(Peter O’Sullivan) has signed a few guys, so you’re going to get some experience, you’ll find a benefit of these young blokes going through days like today.
Manly put on show for DCE’s 350th | 01:57
MORE NRL NEWS
‘NOT ANSWERING THE QUESTION’: Des in fiery exchange with journo over Fifita
HUGE TWIST: Roosters’ Walker blow as Moses leads Eels to epic boilover
‘WOULD HAVE GIVEN UP’: DCE reflects on record milestone amid big hint on future
“They will be better for their second pre-season, but there’s clearly some work.”
But overall, O’Brien admitted the Knights are struggling without a host of key players including Kalyn Ponga and Fletcher Sharpe.
“The last couple of weeks has really tested us clearly, but they’ve got pride in their jersey,” O’Brien said.
“No one feels it more than the playing group, when they let that (happen). To have that place packed, sell out, after only winning two games this year.
“I reckon every club in the land would be envious of that. So the weight of letting them down weighs heavily with the playing group.
“But they’ve got pride, they love playing with their club and their teammates so they are professionals, that’s what they get paid to do.
“But they actually have a love for the club.”
