Knights coach Adam O’Brien may survive in the job into the 2026 season, according to The Daily Telegraph’s Michael Carayannis.
Reports previously indicated the Knights would part ways with O’Brien at the end of this season, despite having a further two years left to run on his contract.
But Carayannis believes the fight the Knights continue to show in games means O’Brien may yet remain at the helm next season.
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The Knights came ever so close to beating the fourth placed Warriors in Round 20, suffering a 20-15 defeat at McDonald Jones Stadium, with Leka Halasima scoring a try on the final play of the game that broke the hearts of home fans.
“It’s an interesting one, because that performance they put up on Sunday showed that they’re still playing for the coach,” Carayannis said on NRL 360.
“You look at other coaches that are under pressure, you look at the Gold Coast Titans, you look at the North Queensland Cowboys and the playing group isn’t responding to the coach the way this Newcastle Knights side are under Adam O’Brien at the moment.
“I think there’s no doubt that he’s under pressure but I’m definitely not declaring him gone yet, not at all.
“Because of the performances they’re still putting up.”
Host Braith Anasta then interjected, and pressed Carayannis further on O’Brien’s future.
“So you don’t think (O’Brien being sacked is) a done deal?” Anasta asked.
“I don’t think he’s a certainty not to be there, no way,” Carayannis responded.
“I’m not declaring that he’s gone next year, by any means.”
Panellist James Hooper questioned whether Knights assistant coach Blake Green should take over from O’Brien, given he has overseen their attack, which is the worst in the NRL this season.
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“There’s a big push on for Blake Green,” Hooper added.
“I’m not saying he won’t make a very competent head coach at some point, but he’s in charge of their attack at the moment, and their attack is one of the worst, diabolical, putrid in terms of what they’ve been able to produce.
“That’s not a knock on him, but I’m just saying it is a strange narrative.”
But Hooper disagreed with Carayannis, and felt that O’Brien was more likely to be given his marching orders at the end of the season.
“I know you’re saying you think he might be a good chance, but with all the noise that’s been going on there, Mick, I think you might have your head in the sand a bit,” Hooper said.
