Nathan Brown

Brown leaves Newcastle Knights

The Knights announced last week that Brown's time at the helm would come to an end after the 2019 season.

However, the 46-year-old has left effective immediately, the Knights said in a statement on Tuesday.

"The nib Newcastle Knights can confirm coach Nathan Brown has departed the club effective immediately," a statement read.

BREAKING NEWS: Nathan Brown to depart the club, effective immediately.

Pearce set for long stint on sidelines

Pearce left the field inside the final five minutes, with Jamie Buhrer filling in at halfback and placing a kick that resulted in the match-winning try to winger Shaun Kenny-Dowall.

Brown indicated post-game scans were set to confirm the extent of the injury but said it didn't look good.

The Knights coach also cleared any confusion during the game by confirming Pearce was replaced by Luke Yates as a free interchange - with Yates able to return to the field after passing a HIA examination.

Bennett breaks silence over feud with Brown

Speaking to NRL.com in Auckland on the eve of Saturday's clash with the Warriors, Bennett was quick to hose down the feud, going as far as to say he wasn't even aware of what Brown said in the press conference following Newcastle's 15-10 win.

Brown takes swipe at Bennett after Knights win

Bennett was coach of the Knights for three seasons from 2012-14, before Brown took over in 2016, and was given the task of rebuilding virtually from scratch. 

The former Dragon did not hold back in letting Bennett know that he holds him responsible for leaving the club in such a bad state, ending his post-match press conference after landing the blow.

"The reality is, when Wayne came to town, if he thought with his big head rather than his little head I wouldn’t have had to rebuild the joint," Brown said.

Brown renews calls for 18th man option

 Winger Ross suffered a potentially serious ankle injury when his left ankle was folded under him in a first-half tackle against the Rabbitohs in Round 3. He stayed on but the injury deteriorated throughout the game.

However the club lost fullback Brendan Elliott and back-rower Sione Mata'utia (who is also the player generally used as a centre to plug mid-game backline injuries) to concussions, forcing Ross to finish the match.

Newcastle well placed for improved year

The mid-season additions of Brendan Elliot and Peter Mata'utia coupled with new signings Jamie Buhrer, Rory Kostjasyn, Ken Sio, Josh Starling and Jacob Gagan have given the Knights much more depth heading into the 2017 season.

"There is a lot more competition [for places] than there was last year," Brown said.

Brown's plan for the run home

The Knights have a bye in Round 15, and with class players Peter and Chanel Mata'utia, Robbie Rochow, Jacob Saifiti and Korbin Sims all expected to be available for their Round 16 match against the Dragons, Brown says he will set targets once reinforcements return.

"We will tough through next week where we will have the Warriors at home," Brown said post-game.

"The boys will have a fair week of recovery this week and we'd like to put in a good one at home. All our performances at home have been really good apart from the Cronulla one.