‘Bulls**t’: Dejected O’Brien struggles for answers after final Knights game

Knights coach Adam O’Brien says now isn’t the time to look back on his up-and-down six year reign at Newcastle following a “bulls**t” performance which clinched the unwanted wooden spoon.

The Knights were thrashed 66-10 by the Eels in a game they had to win to avoid last place on the NRL ladder.

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O’Brien and the Knights came to a mutual agreement to split at season’s end amid what has been a tough 2025 campaign.

In his last game at the helm, O’Brien’s side were beaten from the jump, conceding two tries in the first four minutes.

An understandably dejected O’Brien couldn’t hide his disappointment in the post-match press conference.

“I can’t stick a ribbon on that. The people of our town don’t put up with bulls**t,” he said.

“The Eels were very good from the first ruck and we were way off and didn’t look like winning it back.

“Over time the pain and disappointment will ease for these boys and there is greener shoots and better days ahead but right now I can’t lie, I’m bitterly disappointed.

“Our town doesn’t deserve a performance like that given what they sit through.

“Right now I need to be honest. That’s not good enough tonight.”

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When asked to reflect on his six season at Newcastle, O’Brien replied: “In time I’ll definitely do that but right now I can’t stop feeling about that game.”

It’s been a nightmare past couple of months for the Knights and their loyal fans.

The club lost nine straight games to end the season, dropping from 13th to 17th.

They weren’t just losing though. They were getting thumped.

Their previous six losses have been by at least 20 points or more. During that span, their points differential was an eye-watering -210.

That’s an average losing margin of 35 points a game.

Knights skipper Dane Gagai said the last two months have been “extremely tough”.

What disappointed him most though was the lack of a send off for the departing players, particularly hooker Jayden Brailey.

Brailey, who played just 83 games for the Knights across six injury-ravaged seasons at the club, is departing for Canberra in the off-season.

“I’m disappointed. That’s been our season. We weren’t there from the start … It’s just disappointing,” Gagai said.

“The fans didn’t deserve that but one for me is Jayden Brailey. I know we have a few players leaving us but for a bloke who put so much time and effort in, especially in rehab with numerous injuries, to send him off like that is disappointing.

“It hurts.”

Since news of O’Brien’s exit was confirmed a couple of weeks ago, there have been several names that have been tossed up as potential replacements.

Former Titans coach Justin Holbrook, Knights assistant Blake Green and even ex-Wallabies mentor Michael Cheika are reportedly on a six-man shortlist.

O’Brien was asked “what type of coach” will be needed at the Knights going forward. Instead of waving the question away, he provided decent insight into what could work best for the club.

“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, whether it’s our medical or high performance area,” O’Brien said.

“That’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. We don’t want to lose too much of that.

“I don’t really want to name names because it’s none of my business now. It’s a club decision.”