HE'S the rookie head coach who has led the Newcastle Knights back to the promised land. But while proud of the achievement, former Batemans Bay Tiger Adam O'Brien is not satisfied. He says he wants more.
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BT: It's your first year as a head coach, plenty has happened but you're in the finals. You must get satisfaction from that?
AB: Yeah I do but I wouldn't say I'm content. Look, I'm proud of what the boys have achieved. We sat down last November and we made that a goal to at least put ourselves in the picture this time of the year. But now that we're here, I'm not satisfied.
BT: Is there a danger of some of your players just being content deep down with the achievement of finally breaking the drought and feeling like they have already done enough?
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AB: I know where you're coming from but to be honest, they haven't given me any indication to be fearful of that with the way they've ripped in this week. Their preparation has been good, our team meetings have been productive and positive. We had a defensive training session yesterday [Thursday] and it was the best session we have had all year bar none. The boys nailed everything asked of them and looked clear on what we need to do on Sunday.
BT: The clash against South Sydney is the biggest game in seven years for the club and no one rates your chances. What are your thoughts?
AB: You're right, no one gives us a chance, probably on the back of what happened last weekend, but that's OK. What matters is what we think as a group about ourselves and we know that our best will be good enough. The challenge for us is going to be getting ourselves up to that level. It's exciting, there is a real buzz around the group and the only pressure on us going in are our own expectations. Like I said, I'm proud of the boys in how they have responded to everything thrown at them this season and we've put ourselves in a position to play well for the next month hopefully.
BT: High-pressure defence to try to force errors and nullify their attacking threats - is that the key to beating a free-flowing side likes Souths?
AB: We're definitely going to need an energetic defensive performance but it's just as important we work really well together inside our systems. Everybody understands what their defensive role is, it's about making sure we execute that and stay inside the structures and systems that are there for a reason. Working as one, together is the best way to try and nullify an attacking team like Souths.
BT: The hurdles, how hard have they been to navigate? You guys have been hit as hard as anyone by injuries and you've had to deal with some travel challenges. How have you overcome them?
AB: We have just tried to cope with them the best we can. Our club has done a real good job with injury management and being able to pick up some key signings around that even though they didn't pan out the way we wanted. Losing keys guys like Jayden [Brailey] and Connor [Watson] early, and especially a specialist hooker, has presented challenges but any setback we've had, we've picked ourselves up and got on with it and haven't used it as an excuse.
BT: What about the travel? How has that impacted on the season?
AB: Looking back, early on after COVID, I think it's definitely taken a toll and added to some of our inconsistencies late in the season. The first month in particular, we had 12 hours on a bus in just that first week with the two games in a row at Campbelltown and we had a five-day turnaround after Melbourne and then into a trip to Townsville. Then there is the mental fatigue on top of that with the restrictions. But you can feel sorry for yourself or just get on with it and I'm real proud of the way we've got on with it. We kept fighting hard to put ourselves in the position we are now.
BT: Is your biggest single challenge as a coach bridging the gap between the team's best and worst performances?
AB: I think our best footy is good enough so the challenge is definitely to get to that level every week. We are under no illusions that we are going to have to be at our best from here on in to keep progressing.
BT: What do you make of the recent criticism of Mitchell Pearce and the side's attack and some of Kalyn Ponga's detractors who claim he is guilty of drifting in and out of games?
AB: They are key players in our team and when you are elite players, you come under plenty of scrutiny if things don't go right and even more so because of the positions they play. At the end of the day, Junior's the captain and tries his backside off every week and that is one of his strengths. I've got no doubt the constant changing of the hookers and halves partner because of injuries has impacted him more than anyone else. But one thing about Junior, he never complains and just goes out and gives it everything every week and you can't ask for more. As for Kalyn, there's no doubt he is the focal point of every rival team's game plan every week. They look to do anything they can to shut him down so he should be wearing that as a badge of honour. He's a crucial member of the team who's carried us a couple times and almost singlehandedly got us some really good results. Look, they take it in their stride. They know what's required of them.
BT: It's been a tough season for the club's fans but you've still had some great support. It must be satisfying to reward them?
AB: I was obviously aware of it but I got a real sense of the support firsthand when the fans turned up in big numbers in the pouring rain for our first game. Even when we played Souths down in Sydney, we only had something like 300 fans there but they sounded like 3000 and they had the Newcastle chant going and I could hear it from inside the coach's box. You wouldn't swap the supporters here for anyone in the world. They are outstanding and while it's been a tough time for the community this year, I'd like to think hopefully some of our performances have given some people some joy. I understand there would have been some frustration there at times but they have never wavered and I'm really grateful for that.
