You have skipped the navigation, tab for page content
Barnett on the incoming coach and staying focussed

With the end of the season now just four days away, it would be easy for players to lose focus.

Fortunately for the nib Newcastle Knights, Mitch Barnett is not one of those players.

The Knights face a tough trip to Penrith in the last round of the season, and according to the man himself, the rest of the team is just as focussed as he is.

Barnett: Motivation; new coach; lessons

“All the boys still have their heads on, we know we’ve got a job to do and that’s to win this weekend,” Barnett said.

“We’ll go in and do some video and get started on the Panthers.”

With the Knights coming off a roller coaster of results in the past few weeks, Barnett insisted the side knew what they needed to do to finish the season on a high.

“We’re going to have to show up with the same attitude as we did last week,” he said.

“If we tidy one or two key areas up in defence, we’ll give ourselves the best shot.”

Barnett was massive for his side in last weekend’s win over the Gold Coast, racking up 114 run metres, a try, a line-break, a line-break assist and two try assists.

A flick pass try assist in last Knights game

Despite the match-winning performance, the man known as ‘Barney’ was full of praise for his team-mates.

“I’m always happy to put in a good performance, but I was more happy for the boys getting that good performance and turning things around after such a tough week,” Barnett said.

“At the end of the day that was pleasing but I’d love to back it up this weekend.”

With the Club appointing Adam O’Brien as the Head Coach for next season, Barnett confirmed he’s excited at the prospect of working under him.

Watson: Competition for 2020 No.9 role

“It’s very exciting,” Barnett said.

“I can’t wait to see what he brings to the club and I’m looking forward to getting in and working with him.”

Despite the potential distraction, Barnett assured fans that the team is focussed on nothing other than this weekend.

“We’re just focussing on getting the win this weekend,” he said.

“As far as I’m concerned Woolfy’s the coach this weekend and we’ve got to do a job here.

“I don’t want to look too far into the future but that’ll come once the season is all finished.

“Then we’ll get back and rip in.”

Vote: nib Inspiring Moment of the Year