Newcastle Knights management prepared to stick with coach Adam O’Brien until at least the end of the season barring collapse

Adam O’Brien will be given the chance to fight for his Knights future with the club’s management prepared to stick with the head coach until at least the end of the season, barring one scenario which could change things.

Adam O’Brien will be given the chance to fight for his NRL career with Newcastle management prepared to stick with the head coach until the end of this season, at least.

The Daily Telegraph has learned that only a catastrophic collapse in performances over the remaining seven weeks would alter the Knights’ current line of thinking.

The Knights face a daunting final two months that includes the Warriors at home on Sunday, followed by the Raiders (away), a bye, Panthers (home), Cowboys (away), Broncos (home), Sharks (away) and Eels (away).

Although currently positioned 13th on the NRL ladder, there is also a consideration from within the Knights that O’Brien, after reaching the finals in four of the five past seasons, could be given the chance to start the 2026 season.

O’Brien is contracted to the Knights until the end of 2027 and any form of early dismissal by the club would result in a hefty payout.

Knights coach Adam O’Brien will be given until the end of the season, at least. Picture: Scott Gardiner/Getty Images

While the club won’t comment on the coach’s future publicly, there is a current view from the Newcastle hierarchy that O’Brien’s opportunity to save himself is inhibited with captain and fullback Kalyn Ponga (foot), backrower Dylan Lucas (foot), rising star Fletcher Sharpe (kidney) sidelined for the rest of the season and experienced forward Adam Elliott (biceps) out until round 25.

There is also a belief from management that O’Brien’s ability to field a roster capable of challenging for the title has suffered due to a string of lopsided contracts prior to current recruitment boss Peter O’Sullivan’s arrival that have required the club to clean-up by the way of paying out players or letting players go to create space in the salary cap for next year and beyond.

Ultimately though, O’Brien’s survival will be determined by the performances of the Knights this season.

The Knights showed fight to lead the Storm 8-6 last Saturday before being punished in the second-half 32-14 by the premiership heavyweights.

Newcastle tackle the Warriors on Sunday with veteran Dane Gagai poised to captain the team in his second game at fullback since 2018.

Originally published as Newcastle Knights management prepared to stick with coach Adam O’Brien until at least the end of the season barring collapse