With Adam O’Brien seemingly out the door by season’s end, if not sooner, speculation continues to mount as to who might replace him as Newcastle Knights head coach.
One name that keeps being floated is former Parramatta Eels boss Brad Arthur—but according to several well-connected NRL insiders it isn’t going to happen.
Currently coaching Leeds Rhinos in the Super League, Arthur recently missed out on the Perth Bears job and is known to be keen to make an NRL return, potentially as soon as next season.
Veteran league journalist Phil Rothfield believes that could well be with the Knights.
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“I keep hearing Brad Arthur, his two sons are there (Newcastle) now,” Rothfield told the NRL 360 panel when asked about who the club has their eye on for 2026.
But fellow panellist Brent Read wasn’t buying it, pointing to the close friendship between Arthur and O’Brien.
“He (Arthur) is best mates with Adam O’Brien,” Read responded.
“Imagine if he came in and took his job.”
‘I see it the complete opposite way’
Speaking on SEN Radio, News Corp’s David Riccio was less focused on Arthur’s relationship with O’Brien, and more on that with his two sons Matt, 20, and Jake, 22, who are both currently on the Newcastle roster.
“In regards to Brad Arthur and the Newcastle Knights and the insinuation he would be a perfect fit given his two sons are now there, I see it the complete opposite way,” Riccio said.
“I don’t think he is a chance to be there while his sons are there. I say that respectfully, because of the way Brad has operated in the past (at Parramatta). Basically Jake made the decision to go to Manly, on the premise to get away from each other.
“They love each other but it just wasn’t working as far as the scrutiny and pressure around what he was going to do with his sons.
“I think that is a major factor in why he won’t lean towards Newcastle.”
While it’s hard to see a Knights move happening for Arthur, you never rule anything out in the NRL.
Just ask Phil ‘Lachlan Galvin is not on our radar’ Gould.