Nathan Brown slams Knights saying some players should ‘hold their head in shame’
An outraged Newcastle coach Nathan Brown has slammed his players following defeat against the Tigers at home, saying that players will be axed for next week’s clash with Manly.
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Newcastle coach Nathan Brown on Friday night unloaded one of the great sprays of this NRL season, declaring some players “should hold their head in shame” in the wake of the shock 28-26 loss to Wests Tigers.
In front of another big home crowd, the Knights butchered an early 12-0 lead to trail 18-12 at halftime before ultimately crashing to their fourth straight defeat.
A team considered by many as a realistic top four hope to start the season are now clinging to eighth spot on 18 competition points - and in real danger of slipping out by the end of the round if either Brisbane or New Zealand win their games.
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The Knights are also now on equal competition points with ninth placed Cronulla and the Tigers who are 10th.
Newcastle started the season losing their first six games but after winning six straight they have now lost five of their last six.
Brown vowed some players would be axed for next Saturday’s clash against Manly at Lottoland.
And on a night that honoured Newcastle club legend Mark Hughes in the NRL’s Beanie for Brain Cancer round, Brown couldn’t contain his anger when asked if the fact his team now had to fight for its finals survival would motivate the players.
“I would like to think that the table doesn’t add urgency,” Brown said.
“You know, today was the Mark Hughes day which is a huge occasion for our club. Obviously Cameron Smith had his 400th (match) and Robbie (Farah) has his 300th.
“They are outstanding achievements but the mark of a person is someone that doesn’t something for nothing and that is what Mark Hughes does.
“There is certainly some blokes that should hold their head in shame with what they dished up tonight.”
Adding to the Knights woes, star fullback Kalyn Ponga could be facing a suspension after a controversial late sin binning for a shoulder charge that left Michael Chee Kam heavily concussed.
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“Look, I thought it was a very stiff decision,” Brown said.
“Kalyn is playing at fullback and he has got to make a play. I think he is a bit unfortunate.
“I don’t think there is a cleaner player playing the game.
“I don’t think he tried to make a shoulder charge. I think he was trying to make a play for the ball.”
Originally published as Nathan Brown slams Knights saying some players should ‘hold their head in shame’
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