After the Knights secured their second convincing victory over the Bulldogs this season, coach Adam O’Brien expressed a sense of relief, stating that much of the pressure he had been facing had dissipated.
Just six weeks ago, during round 18, the Knights scored a staggering 66 points against the Bulldogs at Accor Stadium.
In the recent rematch on Sunday, the Knights added insult to injury by putting another 42 points on a lackluster Bulldogs side.
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The Knights’ dominant victory in round 18 served as the catalyst they needed to ignite their pursuit of a finals spot.
Up until that point, the Knights had been languishing in 14th place on the ladder, with only five victories to their name. They were merely one point ahead of the Bulldogs.
Coming off a disappointing 14th-place finish last season and facing the possibility of another lackluster end to the current season, the pressure on O’Brien had undeniably been mounting.
However, since the Bulldogs thrashing, the Knights have been on a winning streak. They have triumphed in their last six matchups, claiming significant victories against teams like the Storm and Raiders, propelling them to seventh place with three rounds remaining.
“I have always been proud to coach this team and genuinely invested in their success,” O’Brien shared with the media on Sunday.
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“Even twelve months ago, during our challenging times, I recognized that although it was unpleasant to have such a season, there were aspects beyond our control that we had to overcome, and valuable lessons were learned as well.
“However, it was just six or seven weeks ago when I faced considerable pressure and countless speculations. Yet, I believe that my current disposition is no different than it was back then. The only contrasting factor lies in the number of wins we have accumulated, and it has altered the overall narrative.”
The Knights’ path to the finals includes upcoming home matches against the Rabbitohs and Sharks, followed by their final game of the season against the Dragons at Kogarah.
A victory against the Rabbitohs next Sunday afternoon would virtually guarantee the Knights a spot in the top eight.
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Hasibur Rahaman is a passionate sports journalist. He covers everything from cricket to field hockey, delivering up-to-the-minute updates and in-depth analysis of sporting events, both within India and on the international stage.
