Monday Buzz: How loss of mother steeled resurgent Newcastle Knights coach Adam O’Brien

“I’ve had much harder stuff to deal with this year outside of coaching”. PHIL ROTHFIELD reveals the tragedy that lit a fire in the Knights’ unlikely surge to the finals.

Knights coach Adam O'Brien was rocked by the death of his mother. Picture: Getty

Adam O’Brien has learnt to deal with the constant speculation around his coaching future.

It took the sudden and tragic loss of his mum Maree to cancer in April to put life and rugby league into perspective.

Last week there were reports the Knights had approached veteran coach Des Hasler before he signed at the Gold Coast Titans.

The week before it was supposed to be Michael Maguire.

Paul McGregor was another rumour – that he was close to Knights football general manager Peter Parr and had been sounded out for the gig.

Even veteran broadcaster Peter Peters mentioned on Sunday that John Morris had been approached.

This speculation has been around for 12 months since the Knights ran 14th last year, affected by losing and not replacing Mitchell Pearce, plus being without Kalyn Ponga for half the season.

O’Brien has learnt to deal with it – and ignore it.

Knights coach Adam O'Brien has learned to deal with criticism. Picture: Getty

“All that stuff’s out of my control,” he says. “This week, with the stories about Des, was the best I’ve handled it.

“I got told about it but then parked it. I just said to myself ‘don’t give it energy.’ It wasn’t going to help us beat Melbourne.”

The Knights now sit just one point outside the top eight after a magnificent victory over Melbourne Storm, recovering from a 12-nil deficit.

If they can make the eight it will be for the third time in O’Brien’s four years at the club.

Not bad considering the Knights won three wooden spoons and finished outside the finals in the five years prior to him arriving in Newcastle.

It was the painful loss of his mum three months ago that helped him deal with the constant coaching speculation.

Now Justin Holbrook and Anthony Griffin are gone, he was supposedly the next in line.

Knights coach Adam O'Brien was rocked by the death of his mother. Picture: Getty

“I’ve had much harder stuff to deal with this year outside of coaching,” he said.

“Mum fought hard and bravely but it was 12 weeks. And then it was over.

“It was very hard but it actually helped me deal with the footy stuff and to not worry about everything else.”

Newcastle’s win over Storm was one of their finest victories.

It’s been a long time since the playing group looked as pumped and as connected.

They were certainly playing for their coach.

“To wrestle it back from being 12-nil down against that mob was special,” O’Brien said.

“We’ve now beaten two of the top four teams.

“The other two … Penrith got us in golden point and I thought we were the better team against the Broncos (lost 24-20 at Suncorp). I think we’ve played some really decent footy but it doesn’t always equate to the ladder. I just know every player at this club is up for the fight.”

Originally published as Monday Buzz: How loss of mother steeled resurgent Newcastle Knights coach Adam O’Brien