Knights coach Adam O’Brien has conceded that Sunday’s 14-10 win over the Tigers was a “relief for everyone” after what’s been a “tough” week for the club.
The Knights have been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons this week after star prop David Klemmer was stood down for over disciplinary matter.
Klemmer sprayed a trainer and refused to come off in the Knights’ Round 20 loss to the Bulldogs with the incident being elevated to HR.
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While being left out of the team for the Tigers clash, Klemmer was also handed a suspended fine.
The club copped criticism left, right and center in the lead-up to Sunday for its handling of a matter that happens often in the game.
Making matters worse, a report emerged earlier in the week alleging that a racist remark was made to a player by a staff member.
But the Knights put the horror week behind them and shot out a three-try lead on Sunday before surviving a comeback from the Tigers to seal the win.
Fox League analyst Michael Ennis said the squad looked “galvanised,” while Knights captain Jayden Brailey said after the game that the players used the turmoil as “a bit of motivation.”
“It was tough reading all the headlines and there was a lot of stuff that came out that we didn’t like and probably a lot of it wasn’t true,” he said.
“But I think in tough times you’ve got to stick together to pull yourself out of weeks like this.
“I think we probably did a really good job this week to block out the outside noise and use that as a bit of motivation to show who we really are… it was just a gritty performance tonight.”
O’Brien went through all the emotions in the coaches box during the game. The Knights shot out to a 14-nil lead at half time… but then the Tigers narrowed the scoreline to just four points to set up a grandstand finish.
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Asked if the win — which snapped a four-game losing streak — was a relief, O’Brien said: “Definitely a relief for everyone — players, staff, families.
“It was ugly but we don’t care, we got it done,” he added.
“It matters. Everyone is invested, it’s not just me, everyone from physios to players.
“It was a tough week, I’m really proud of the players, they rallied, we were really united and trained well. I’m really pleased for them.
“These boys, they certainly grabbed it.
“The leaders addressed some stuff — there was some stuff that needed to be addressed.
“There’s no doubt there’s been a lot of commentary on our club and how we run things. Some things are learnings for us and some things are completely inaccurate, but when you’re losing you open yourself up to that so I get it.
“We’ll take our medicine, we’ll look at the parts that we can control and do something about… and the rest we’ll forget.”
O’Brien also gave insight into his involvement in the incident.
“I just gave a statement in and around when it got to that level, which it has to escalate up,” he said.
“I just made a statement regarding it but I’ve been around footy long enough to know it’s pretty hard to get some guys off the field sometimes. I’ve been in that position, but it’s dealt with now.”
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He confirmed too that Klemmer will come straight back into the 17 for next week’s clash with the Broncos.
“Yep, it’s been dealt with,” O’Brien said when asked if Klemmer would return.
“There was a process it went through and sometimes when you go through a process you realize you can do it in a different way so you change it — so we’re better for going through that part.
“Big Klem accepted some accountability on some of his stuff, he has addressed the team and no doubt he’s dealt with now, he’s back in the team. He’s back at training now so I can pick him on Tuesday.”
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