’Turned on him’: Knights coach facing split as details of roster clean-out emerge
A reported clean-out at the Newcastle Knights has created a “disgruntled playing group” with players said to be turning on coach Adam O’Brien.
There’s a clean-out starting to take place at the Newcastle Knights and it’s created a “disgruntled playing group.”
That is according to veteran News Corp journalist Phill Rothfield who revealed on NRL 360 that the big roster decisions are even starting to cause a divide between coach Adam O’Brien and his players.
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“What this has done is formed a disgruntled playing group and I don’t think they’re putting in to the best of their ability,” he added.
“The players, I’m told, have turned on the coach a little bit in that he hasn’t had more to say in the recruitment area.
“If you go to any organisation, you’re still live in the finals two weeks ago, and you tap half a dozen players (on the shoulder)…
“And then they blame the coach. I’m not suggesting for one minute that Adam O’Brien’s job is under pressure. What I am saying is the dressing room is a little bit off him at the moment.”
O’Brien’s job should be safe regardless of the fallout of the clean-out after the club rewarded him in February with a new deal following their 10-game winning streak which got them to a semi-final.
They’re in a jam though because the club management decided last year to give Adam O’Brien a three-year extension so even if there are rumblings in the dressing room and there are some players disgruntled it’s going to be a hard line decision for them,” Fox League’s James Hooper said on NRL 360.
