A Newcastle Knights legend has spoken on three candidates for the job if Adam O’Brien leaves with two Super League men heading the way, as well as a forgotten English coach.
Adam O’Brien is under immense pressure at Newcastle with the Knights struggling in 14th, just two points ahead of last-placed Gold Coast Titans.
The club have lost their last three games with today’s defeat coming in the final second against the New Zealand Warriors and it’s only served to ramp up the already-existing pressure.
With talks that O’Brien could be on his way out of Newcastle soon, attention has turned to who could replace him and Knights legend Matty Johns spoke about that on the Run Home with Joel and Fletch radio show this week.
Johns, who played the first eight years of his career with the Knights and guided them to a Grand Final win labelled Hull KR coach Willie Peters as the “obvious one”.
He explained: “There’s a couple to talk about. Willie Peters is the obvious one. He’s spent a bit of time up there and I think it would be a good fit.”
Newcastle Knights legend touts Brian McDermott for promotion
Moving onto a less obvious one, Johns named former Leeds Rhinos coach Brian McDermott, the man currently the defensive coach at Newcastle Knights.
McDermott has an established career in England but last coached here in 2022 with Featherstone Rovers, leaving to link up with the Knights where he has garnered immense respect.
Johns explained: “The other one that hasn’t been spoken about is the Knights’ defensive coach Brian McDermott, the Englishman.
“He’s had great success in Super League and if you look at the Knights, they’ve got the fifth or sixth best defence in the league.
“It’s just that we’ve got the worst attack but we’ve got a good defence and he’s really highly respected there amongst the players. He’s certainly worth a mention.”
Ahead of the most recent round of games, the Knights were the number one defensive side in their own 20 and that saw Johns further highlight McDermott’s philosophy.
“Brian has been well regarded by the players for a long time,” the 53-year-old explained.
“They say that when he came along and took over the defensive role, it’s very simple, straightforward and they (the players) all get it. It’s not complicated, he’s done a good job with their defence up there.”
Whilst McDermott and Peters are two of the names in with a shot, the third man noted was a very familiar one with off-contract Brad Arthur named once again.
Johns said: “The last six months, the name that keeps coming up and it would be interesting to see if he’d take it is Brad Arthur.
“He and Adam (O’Brien) are best mates and he’s got his two sons there too in the Knights squad. That’s a name I’ve heard a lot but it would certainly test the friendship if he took the job.”
Arthur has confirmed that he and Ian Blease will sit down on August 1st to confirm his future. Whether O’Brien is still in a job then remains to be seen.
