O’Brien won’t make call on Young’s Knights return
Scott Bailey |
Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien has refused to enter into a slanging match with Sydney Roosters counterpart Trent Robinson, while also dodging questions on if the Knights could still sign Dominic Young this year.
Three days after Robinson accused the Knights of destabilising Young and trying to bluff the Roosters into releasing the flyer, O’Brien opted not to fire back on Thursday.
The Newcastle coach also would not say if he’d given up hope of signing the winger.
“I’m not too sure, I know right now he’s a Rooster,” O’Brien said.
“Probably the thing that I’ve learnt out of the week is doing your recruitment, your attention through media is not best practice.
“So right now he’s a Rooster and I’m focused on (debutant) Fletcher Hunt being on the wing for us tomorrow night (against Parramatta).”
Newcastle could dearly do with Young’s services, with winger Greg Marzhew pushing for a quick recovery from an medial-ligament injury in his knee.
The Knights have made no secret of the fact they are keen to bring Young back if available, after he left for a four-year deal at the Roosters at the end of 2023.
Suggestions of Young being granted permission to speak with rivals first emerged last week, after he was dropped to reserve grade by the Tricolours.
But Robinson claimed on Monday talk of Young’s exit had only arisen through interest from the Knights and Young’s management.
Robinson also suggested Newcastle wanted the Roosters to carry Young’s contract in their salary cap this year, while accusing the Knights of turning the 23-year-old’s life upside down.
O’Brien and Robinson share a working history, with the former serving one year as a Roosters assistant coach before leaving at the end of 2019 to take charge at Newcastle.
The more immediate concern for O’Brien is the threat of Newcastle’s richest-ever signing for next year, Dylan Brown and the Eels.
Parramatta have confirmed winger Zac Lomax will return in time for an Origin push, while the Eels have looked an improved team with Mitch Moses partnering Brown.
“Dylan’s biggest threat is he’ll take the short sides down our right,” O’Brien said.
“So getting our line organisation numbers correct is really important. His greatest strength is his running game. We understand that.
“That’s probably where we need to be alert.”
AAP
