Knights coach Nathan Brown hits back at Wayne Bennett following Newcastle’s win over Brisbane
NEWCASTLE coach Nathan Brown launched a savage attack on Wayne Bennett as a bitter feud broke out in the wake of the Knights’ gutsy defeat of Brisbane. SEE THE VIDEO
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NEWCASTLE mentor Nathan Brown launched a savage attack on Wayne Bennett as a bitter coaching feud broke out in the wake of the Knights’ gutsy 15-10 defeat of Brisbane.
Bennett lit the fuse on the eve of the clash when he claimed Brown had “unbuilt” the Knights club that the veteran coach oversaw between 2012-14 before his return to the Broncos in 2015.
But Brown had the last laugh in Newcastle, dismantling Bennett’s troops on the field before unloading on him off it, suggesting the 68-year-old is to blame for the Knights’ freefall into the NRL cellar.
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“It’s a bit sad,” Brown fired after watching his braveheart Knights snap a six-game losing streak against the Broncos.
“The old fox (Bennett) has won seven premierships, coached for 30 years and I ain’t ever publicly bagged Wayne or anyone and he comes and has a shot at me.
“He doesn’t need to behave like that.
“When Wayne came to town (as Newcastle coach) ... if he thought with his big head, rather than his little head, I wouldn’t have had to rebuild the joint.”
Brown didn’t elaborate on his “little head” comment, but it was taken as a reference to his relationship with his new partner Dale Cage, whom he first met as a receptionist to Newcastle’s club doctor.
Bennett endured some dark years at the Knights, including the tragic Alex McKinnon saga, but Brown has confronted his own tribulations, forced to regenerate a Newcastle club that lacked hard-headed experience.
Now Brown is bringing a fresh edge to a proud club built on the mentality of a steel city.
The evidence came last night as Newcastle muscled-up to Brisbane, dominating them in midfield, giving majestic rookie Kalyn Ponga and halfback recruit Mitchell Pearce the platform to dismantle Bennett’s Broncos.
Ponga showed he is Queensland’s next Origin superstar with a fullback display of class and courage, while Pearce was the conductor, kicking astutely, including his field goal for a 7-0 half-time lead.
The Broncos produced a late surge but the Knights were always the better team, with young prop Daniel Saifiti’s 55th-minute try ultimately proving the match-winner to seal their second home win.
“For us as a club, it was our best performance since I’ve been at the team,” Brown said. “For them, it was the hardest game they had to play in.”
Of Ponga, Brown said: “We’re not going to talk him down. I’m proud of ‘KP’, one thing Queensland has done is they have introduced their young players at the right time.
“Queensland have transitioned their players well. If they think he needs another 12 months (before playing Origin), that’s fine, but I’m glad he’s at our club.”
Veteran NSW Origin halfback Pearce went further, rating Ponga, who turned 20 last week, in a league of his own among rookie talents.
“It’s just there for everyone to see,” he said.
“He is as good a young player as you will ever see. It’s a big wrap but I don’t think anyone would disagree.
“He is humble and listens and works hard. We talk about the pretty stuff but the best thing I like is the effort he makes in defence.
“I haven’t see too many players play that tough at fullback.”
Originally published as Knights coach Nathan Brown hits back at Wayne Bennett following Newcastle’s win over Brisbane