O’Brien Fronts Up After Knights’ Embarrassing Loss……
Newcastle Knights coach Adam O’Brien has admitted his side must take a hard look at themselves following an embarrassing loss that further exposed the team’s ongoing struggles this season.
Speaking after the match, O’Brien did not shy away from the disappointment felt within the club and among supporters. “That performance simply wasn’t good enough. We lacked intent, we lacked discipline, and we let our fans down,” he said. “At this level, you can’t pick and choose when you want to compete. Tonight, we weren’t up to standard.”
The Knights, who have endured a string of defeats in recent weeks, never looked settled as their opponents ran in tries with ease. Defensive lapses and basic errors became a recurring theme, leaving Newcastle with little chance of mounting a response.
O’Brien acknowledged that the weight of the season has taken its toll on the playing group but stressed that excuses would not be accepted. “It’s easy to point to injuries, or talk about confidence, but at the end of the day, it comes down to effort. We didn’t show the pride or resilience required to wear this jersey,” he said.
Fans voiced their frustrations across social media, with many demanding accountability and change ahead of the 2026 campaign. While O’Brien remains under pressure, he insisted his focus is firmly on lifting the squad for the weeks ahead.
“The only way forward is hard work,” he added. “We need to reset, strip things back, and get back to competing on every play. That’s the only way we’ll earn back respect.”
With finals football long out of reach, the Knights’ immediate task will be to avoid finishing at the bottom of the ladder. Their next clash looms as a test of character, and O’Brien made it clear that he expects a strong response.
