3 minute read

Adam O'Brien helped ignite the Sydney Roosters' dynamite attack at the SCG last year but now, as Newcastle coach, he's got to find a way to stop it.

The Sydney Roosters know full well what type of side they're coming up against when they face an Adam O'Brien-coached team on Saturday night.

And nor are they at all surprised by what the rookie mentor has done at Newcastle.

Having earned his stripes in 11 years at Melbourne, O'Brien was the Roosters' assistant on their march to a second straight title last year.

Charged with the team's attack, O'Brien helped the Roosters score at the ridiculous average of 35 points per game at the SCG last year.

Now at the same ground on Saturday night he must find a way to stop the avalanche.

"He had a big say in our attack and how we played and our game. He was part of our success," Roosters captain Boyd Cordner said.

"I knew what Newcastle was getting, a great coach and a great guy and loves his footy.

"He's been awesome going up there for them this year.

"When we won the comp with him there it was hard to see him go. But at the same time he has his own dreams and aspirations."

O'Brien's experience at both Melbourne and the Roosters is now coming in handy.

While he is approaching his first business end of the season as a head coach, he's been involved in six as an assistant.

"He talked well in meetings. Everything he gave us was pretty good," centre Joey Manu said.

"He gave us simple plays and we all did our own thing. He's a great coach and he's doing well."

The Roosters are used to being a breeding ground for coaches, with Justin Holbrook and Paul Green others to have come through their system under Trent Robinson.

Craig Fitzgibbon is routinely in demand and approached by clubs for head coaching roles, but has so far stuck to his Tricolours contract that ends in 2021.

There had been some rumblings of discontent when O'Brien initially decided to leave the club after just one season.

But at the time Robinson stated he'd always wanted ambitious assistants and wouldn't stand in O'Brien's way.

And the Knights mentor said he'd remained close with Robinson, having had his help earlier in the year.

"We certainly keep in touch," O'Brien said.

"He's been a great help, I learned a lot from him in the 12 months I was there and certainly have used him during the season.

"Especially during COVID he was really good, he reached out. He understands the environment up here and he's been a really good help to me."