The clause in the coach’s contract that could shake up the Newcastle Knights

Newcastle coach Adam O’Brien faces the prospect of having up to the final two years of a new contract extension deemed null and void if the Knights drop to 13th on the NRL ladder after the final three rounds of the season.

Newcastle’s hopes of playing finals football were placed on life support after a golden-point loss to Cronulla last week left O’Brien’s side languishing four points outside the top eight in 11th position.

The loss could have major ramifications for the future of the Knights coach, whose fate is intertwined with the team’s position on the ladder as part of a contract extension he agreed to at the start of the year.

O’Brien’s manager Isaac Moses struck a deal with Knights management at the start of the year to extend his contract, which was due to expire at the end of 2024, through to the end of 2027.

The final year, and potentially 2026, depend on the team’s performances and a capitulation over the final three weeks of this season could result in O’Brien heading into 2025 fighting to save his job.

Sources with knowledge of O’Brien’s contract situation talking on the condition of anonymity due to confidentiality agreements told the Herald that under the terms of his extension, the Knights must finish 12th or higher this season to trigger the 2027 season.

In an earlier story, the Herald reported that there were performance clauses in 2025 that could impact his contract, however a Knights source claims that the only clause relates to the performance of the team in 2024.

O’Brien declined to comment when contacted by the Herald on Tuesday afternoon. General manager Peter Parr was unaware of the specifics of O’Brien’s deal, while Knights chief executive Philip Gardner would not speculate on the terms.

“The contracts of players and staff at the Newcastle Knights will remain confidential, just like your contract should remain confidential,” Gardner told the Herald.

The Knights currently sit in 11th position on 24 points, the same tally as the Brisbane Broncos (10th) and Canberra Raiders (12th).