The Knights have to stick by Nathan Brown

Despite the fact we are only two rounds into the 2016 NRL competition, there are already calls, and hilariously petitions, to have coaches removed from their clubs.

Paul McGregor, Andrew McFadden and Trent Barrett are under huge pressure following horror starts to the season, while Anthony Griffin, Trent Robinson and Nathan Brown are already looking for answers after seeing their sides go 0 from 2.

Although I don’t see the supposed ‘pressure’ on Nathan Brown leading to any question about his job status, I really do hope the Knights board, and fans, are willing to stick with Brown in the long-term.

The Knights have been absolutely hapless in the opening two rounds, suffering two huge defeats. They have only scored the 18 points whilst conceding 78.

I don’t want to sink the boot into a struggling side but there are three or four NSW cup sides I would back in to beat this Knights side right now.

Despite this sounding ludicrous, even as I’m typing it, I believe Nathan Brown is on the right track.

The make-up of the Knights squad has very little, if anything at all, to do with their current coach.

He was appointed in September of last year, meaning that the large majority of players were signed to contracts for 2016 and beyond.

Brown inherited a squad shaped by Wayne Bennett and Rick Stone. Brown did manage to sign Pauli Pauli from the Eels, and although Pauli is a solid forward with a big future, he is hardly a game breaker.

Brown also oversaw the departure of Joseph Tapine, agreeing to release the 21 year-old a year early to Canberra.

Given Tapine had no future in Newcastle, I believe Brown made the right decision. His job, as coach, is to shape the future of Newcastle.

Even if they go winless in 2016, the Knights need to honour all three years of Brown’s contract before they judge him.

As sad and as frustrating as it may sound for fans, 2016 is going to be a long year. Most experts and fans had Newcastle locked in a two-way battle with the Titans for the spoon even before their horror start to the season.

After round two it’s silly to write any side off, but if you were going to do just that, Newcastle looks like that very side.

Once again this will sound painful for Knights members and fans but 2016’s results don’t really matter in the scheme of things.

2016 is all about turning the club around, and shaping it going forward.

Brown has already given debuts to 21 year-old Jaleen Feeney, 22 year-old Pat Mata’utia, 23 year-old Chanel Mata’utia, 23 year-old David Bhana and 19 year-old twins Jacob and Dan Saifiti.

With 19 year-old Sione Mata’utia and 21 year-old Jake Mamo to come into consideration for selection in the next few weeks, he arguably has the nucleus of the Knight’s side for the next five to ten years playing first grade.

Current Origin winger Dane Gagai is still on 25, while former Origin halves Trent Hodkinson and Jarrod Mullen are only 27 and 28 respectively. Tariq Sims, who has been spoken about for Origin for years is 26.

Tyler Randell (23) is still developing, while Daniel Levi (20) is a brilliant young talent.

To expect too much of these young players too soon would be almost criminal.

As we have seen with the young Tigers side, it doesn’t happen overnight, but after two years of severe pain, the way they’ve started 2016 looks like it will be well worth it.

Newcastle need to make some tough decisions on players such as Akuila Uate and Kade Snowden. Both are former rep players yet neither has produced form anything close to the form that lead to their Origin selection.

I expect the Knights to be heavy movers in this year’s player market, especially in the forwards. They have the halves to steer their young side but could use some experience to help set the platform.

The talent is certainly there, but most successful sides are not built over night. Certainly not sides who enjoy sustained success anyways.

Newcastle showed faith in appointing Nathan Brown and I hope they continue to do so. He needs to be guaranteed his three years as well as the full support of everyone at the club when it comes to recruitment and re-signings.

If in three years this side is still sitting in a similar position, then a decision will need to be made, but as of right now, Brown is making the right decisions and playing the hand he was dealt.

Tigers off the leash

I for one am really enjoying the way the Tigers are playing their footy in the early rounds of the competition.

2015 was a year the club had to have and although early, it looks like it may be worth it, and then some.

It’s easy to send players out there with instructions to play what is in front of them, but with two rookie halves and an inexperienced backline, that would mean there is no plan b.

After a rigid season, they now have a fall back should their flair-filled attack fail them.

It’s good to see Moses and Brooks getting as much ball as they are, while it is always enjoyable to see James Tedesco with the steeden in hand.

Some are worried that the impending return of Robbie Farah may lead to a return to the more structured system that brought them little success in 2015.

I honestly see Farah enjoying the new, free-flowing game and think he will re-find form. His best game last season was when the Tigers threw the structures out the window and attacked the Warriors from minute one.

I’m always happy to be wrong when it comes to predictions, especially if sides are going to play as entertainingly as the Tigers are right now.