Phil Gardner – Michmutters
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David Klemmer, Newcastle Knights trainer, Hayden Knowles, swearing, update, news

Newcastle Knights trainer Hayden Knowles has broken his silence and cleared up one of the biggest misconceptions to come out of his argument with David Klemmer last week.

Klemmer was stood down after an expletive-ridden outburst aimed at Knowles in the final 10 minutes of Newcastle’s loss to the Bulldogs.

While initial reports suggested Knowles was the one to instigate a HR investigation into the incident, it was later confirmed that Newcastle management made that move.

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speaking to The Sydney Morning Herald for the first time since Sunday’s events, Knowles said he felt like his “reputation has taken a hit”.

“The swearing wasn’t the issue,” Knowles said, clearing up what he saw as a big misconception to come out of the dramatic week that was.

“That’s what everyone is losing sight of. For me it’s not personal with Klem. It wouldn’t matter if it was Kalyn Ponga, Nathan Cleary, Junior Paulo or Payne Haas. It wouldn’t matter who it is.

Commentators baffled by dodgy Bunker | 01:06

“If someone puts themselves before the team, I would forever die by the fact that I won’t tolerate that behaviour.”

Knowles told Herald he has a “very, very close” relationship with Klemmer and that in the end, all he was trying to do was “uphold the set of standards this team needs”.

“That’s what leaders do,” Knowles said.

“Sometimes leadership is tough. Sometimes you have to put the value of the team before anything, no matter who the person is. If our club, our roster, our management want success, they should be thanking me for trying to uphold the set of standards this team needs.”

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Klemmer was hit with a suspended fine for his actions but will be available for selection in next week’s clash with Brisbane.

Knowles admitted that the situation could have “been handled” better after Newcastle management reported the incident to HR.

“The word HR has made it worse,” he said.

“Phil (CEO Phil Gardner) wanted a report and wanted to hear from everyone. The behavior was there for all to be seen. Ideally, it wouldn’t have been handled like this. But that’s not my problem.”

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Bunnies bash sad Warriors | 02:30

The Knights claimed a much-needed 14-10 win on Sunday to move past Sunday’s drama, having come under intense scrutiny for their handling of the Klemmer incident.

Cameron Smith was particularly strong when speaking on SEN Radio earlier in the week, calling on the Knights to “be better.”

“Well it’s strange really. If words were spoken between a player and a trainer, that’s happened a thousand times before,” Smith said on ‘The Captain’s Run’ on SEN Radioon Thursday.

“I’ve seen it first hand, I think you have as well. It’s not a new thing. I’m really confused as to why this is such a huge problem.

“The way I’ve seen it dealt with and sorted out in the past is that if there’s an issue… it’s dealt with in-person after the match.

“It’s just unnecessary. Like seriously, how bad have the words been spoken between David Klemmer and this trainer, to have a formal complaint made. It’s just ridiculous. Deal with it man to man.”

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NRL 2022: Newcastle Knights investigation racism allegations; David Klemmer, news, updates

The Newcastle Knights’ season has been thrown into even more disarray after it was revealed that the club was investigating an alleged racist remark made by a staff member.

According to Newcastle Heraldthe complaint was made after a lower-grade indigenous player was told to “stop playing like a blackfella and get back to structure”.

Newcastle are reportedly investigating the alleged racist remark, and are taking the matter very seriously.

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According to the Herald, it was not the player in question who raised the complaint to the Knights.

“I can confirm the process if there are any allegations of racial vilification,” Knights chief executive Phil Gardner said told Newcastle Herald.

“They will be handled very firmly by the club.

“The outcomes could lead to a range of sanctions, which could be suspended, ends or

“Anyone found guilty would be dealt with on that basis, although it’s very important that allegations aren’t treated as truth or fact, because it could impact on those people in their future careers … if it’s not factual, it shouldn’t be reported .”

This investigation it not at all linked to David Klemmer’s situation at the club, after he was given a show cause notice after an on-field incident.

Klemmer allegedly refused to leave the field and verbally abused trainer Hayden Knowles during the Knights’ 14-point loss to the Bulldogs.

The Telegraph reported on Thursday that claimed the star forward had called the trainer a “c***” and told him to “shut the f*** up”.

Journalist Brent Read understands that the former Blues representative had apologized to coach Adam O’Brien over text message.

While the prop has been dropped for this weekend’s clash with the Wests Tigers, amid earlier reports that he could have his contract torn up, it’s believed that he could return next weekend.

Originally published as Under-fire Newcastle Knights rocked as racism allegations revealed

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Newcastle Knights, Adam O’Brien, squad, roster, management, players, David Klemmer

The Newcastle Knights and their coach Adam O’Brien are at a crossroads after a horror season that could see them go from the finals to the wooden spoon in one year.

The Knights have the worst defensive record in the NRL and their attack is not much better with the pressure ramping up on O’Brien to keep his job amid turmoil and player unrest at the club.

Paul Kent believes the recent changes to the club’s football department is evidence that the Knights desperately need to change the way they operate in time for next season.

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“This is a touchstone moment for Adam O’Brien,” Kent said on NRL 360.

“His career now is at a tipping point. After the season they have had where they have shown no improvement on the two previous seasons. In fact they have gone backwards.

“You have got player unrest. You have got a club that is trying to turn things around.

“Phil Gardner has moved himself away from much of the football operation, which he needed to do because he was inexperienced and after putting his toe in the water for 18 months he failed to come up with what they need.

“They have got a rookie football manager in Danny Buderus, who has suddenly been pushed sideways to bring in Peter Parr. They are trying to start the turnaround.

“Adam O’Brien has realized that he is either part of the solution or part of the problem and it starts now.”

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Knights coach Adam O’Brien.Source: Supplied

Phil Rothfield revealed O’Brien admitted he has eight weeks next season to turn things around, but Kent believes that might be generous, given their current predicament.

“Buzz said he has six to eight weeks next year,” Kent said.

“I don’t think he has got that because if the Knights find out eight weeks into next season that they have made a blue, then next season has gone as well.

“Adam O’Brien touched on in that press conference that their summer training was not up to speed this year as it should have been.

“He said, that is the one thing he would like to get in order going into next season. That’s where it starts for them next season. It begins for him now.”

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Klemmer sanctioned for abusing trainer | 02:55

Kent accused the Knights of being too soft on their players in the wake of the decision to reprimand David Klemmer.

“It began it appears today with David Klemmer and let’s talk about player discipline and how players buy into what is going on at teams,” Kent said.

“David Klemmer is known for not wanting to go off the field. Let’s cop that. It happened at Canterbury. It has happened before.

“But we talk about Brandon Smith and what Melbourne have done to him since he got sin-binned and suspended a couple of weeks back and how they drive their discipline, which Adam O’Brien has been aware of.

“I think for too long up there he has been running a soft ship and they basically have been taking the mickey out of him, so I think that is where it starts.”

Is O’Brien under pressure at Knights? | 05:59

The Daily Telegraph’s Dave Riccio agreed O’Brien’s future is on thin ice, given they are unlikely to win another game in 2022, with the wooden spoon a real possibility.

“I think Adam’s coaching career is right on the precipice,” Riccio said.

“Don’t forget this Newcastle Knights side can still get the wooden spoon. They play the Tigers this weekend.

“If they lose to the Tigers you can bet your bottom dollar the heat will be turned up.

“They then play the Broncos away. They play the Raiders at home. The Titans away and they finish with the Sharks at home.

“I haven’t got the Knights winning any of those games.”

Kent believes the introduction of Parr as the club’s director of football means that Phil Gardner will no longer have the final say on O’Brien’s future.

Inside Klemmer’s failed move to the Eels | 02:08

“Gardner has no longer got the say,” Kent said.

“Parr will have the say. Parr will sit there over summer and if he decides things aren’t looking the way they need to look, he can still find himself a coach.

“He has got trainers and strength and conditioning coaches in from the Roosters and the Panthers and everywhere else. They are in good hands there.”

Riccio agreed the board will decide who the long-term coach will be based on a recommendation from Parr.

“I think it will come down to the board,” Riccio said.

“I think Peter Parr has been put there for a reason. Not only for his experience and know how, but I believe he can make a tough call.

“And Gardner can remove himself from what has been a car crash since he got there.”

In light of O’Brien’s comments that he has seen what success looks like at the Storm and the Roosters, Kent believes it is time for less talk and more action at the Knights.

“At some point you have got to start living the standard and not talking the standard,” Kent said.

“I think for too long at Newcastle they talk about what they want to do.

“It has been going on for too long where they just basically pull the shades down over everybody’s eyes and say, don’t worry about us we are going OK, when in fact they are not doing what Newcastle are known for, which is playing tough, hard football and being constantly competitive.”

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