“The swearing is not the issue. Swearing doesn’t bother me. I feel like my reputation has taken a hit. I’ve worked 23 years to build that. Nathan Hindmarsh rang me during the week. I’m mates for life with Nathan Hindmarsh, and we had a spray every other week at Parra.”
Newcastle management instigated an HR investigation into the events that transpired. Knowles admits the issue could have been handled better.
“The word HR has made it worse,” Knowles said.
“Phil (CEO Phil Gardner) wanted a report and wanted to hear from everyone. The behavior was there for all to be seen. Phil as a leader at the club has said ‘I want a report’. Ideally, it wouldn’t have been handled like this. But that’s not my problem.
“I will forever hold my head up high about what a successful culture looks like. I’ve been in successful cultures and I know what it looks like. I know you have to stand by certain values. That’s where we’re trying to take this club. As far as the way it has been handled, it’s not ideal for anyone.”
Knowles maintains that despite Klemmer being overlooked from Origin teams that he has been part of in the past, the pair have shared a close relationship at Newcastle in their first season together.
“Very, very close,” Knowles said.
“On countless times I’ve gone to him with ways to help someone else. He’s become such a team man. He’s helping the younger players.
“The way he has behaved this year only adds value to him as a footballer. He’s been superb. But the way he acted on the weekend takes away value. I hope that one day he would even thank me for that.”
There have been suggestions that the pair exchanged more words after the game. That notion has been strongly denied. Knowles does admit that there was a discussion on the sideline when Klemmer succumbed to the bench.
“You can see that there is something going on down on the sideline,” Knowles said.
loading
“To be honest I very calmly said ‘Dave, I respect you, but I’m not sure if you are respecting me or the team at the moment’. That wasn’t personal.
“There was a lot of heat at the moment. The narrative was spun by certain people during the week with agendas that I had some issue with swearing. I wouldn’t have lasted 23 years in the game if I had an issue with that. The club will now move forward. Klem is fine. I’m fine.”
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