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Newcastle supporters have transformed the city into red and blue ahead of the Knights' first men's NRL grand final appearance since 2001. The long-awaited match against the Sydney Roosters has sparked nostalgic celebrations, despite a tragic incident during the team's departure for Sydney.
Newcastle has turned red and blue ahead of Sunday's NRL decider and some fans can barely contain themselves after decades of hurt. While the lead-up to Newcastle's first men's NRL grand final since 2001 has now been marred by tragedy, it occurred against a backdrop of exuberance and hope among the red and blue faithful.lining a road to cheer on the team's bus as it left for Sydney.
Police said two were in a critical state while the other eight were in a stable condition. The incident was undoubtedly distressing, but the size of the crowd that had gathered to see off their side was a testament to the enthusiasm among Knights fans as the team prepares to face the Sydney Roosters on Sunday. Around Newcastle, shopfronts are dressed in red and blue, murals are painted and so too are homes.
Supporters exchange cries of 'Go the Knights' along the foreshore, and it's hard to go far without spotting someone in the team's jersey. The Knights' first NRL grand final appearance in 25 years is bringing back memories of the city's previous premiership celebrations. Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.
Shannon Wittwer is one Novacastrian who has recreated Knights legend Andrew Johns's famous skateboard ride after the team's ARL premiership win in 1997. In that match, the team came from behind at half-time to secure their first premiership, and the celebrations were on a whole other scale.
Johns, who set up the last-second winning try, was photographed skateboarding outside a McDonald's with a beer in hand after a night partying, during which he dragged Silverchair frontman Daniel Johns out of bed.
"I just love him. I have to recreate the GOAT because it's coming back to Newcastle.
" For life long supporter Susanne Dee, team loyalty is in her DNA. Her mother had the team's logo tattooed on her shoulder at 78.
"And when she passed, everything was buried with her — her season passes from many, many years, and her jerseys. " Suzie Dundas attended the grand finals in 1997 and 2001, and says the city's mood this time, is unparalleled. She says a win would be even better this time. Suzie Dundas and Susanne Dee have been lifelong Knights fans.
Source: SBS News / Phoebe Deas "This one is going to be so much more exciting. Amazing, that they've come through the semi-finals and beaten teams. No one would give them a chance, and here they are.
" But the team preparing to face the Roosters in the 2026 NRL season decider represents a very different Newcastle from the one that tasted victory in 2001. When Newcastle won in 2001, BHP's steelworks had been closed for just two years. The shutdown cost about 2,000 workers their jobs, along with 1,000 contractors.
“They were really scary times and there was a period when Newcastle really struggled,” City of Newcastle Chief Executive Jeremy Bath said. 'Go the Knights' signs have popped up before storefronts in Newcastle. Source: SBS News / Phoebe Deas Education is also part of its broader economy, alongside efforts to build the city's appeal as a destination for tourism, dining and culture. An international airport is helping with that.
“What the council in partnership with the state and federal governments of the day did, was to make the decision that they were really going to invest in their natural attributes, our natural assets, our coastline. Today tourism accounts for more than $3 billion of our local economy spend. ”Newcastle has turned red and blue ahead of the Knights vs. Roosters grand final.
Source: SBS News / Phoebe Deas Laura Eadie, executive director of the University of Newcastle's Institute for Regional Futures, says the city has attracted younger people over the past two decades.
“Particularly here in the centre of Newcastle, there's a lot of 15 to 24-year-olds moving in,” she said. Families are moving into Maitland and other Hunter growth areas, while coastal areas tend to attract more retirees she says. The grand final itself will be played in Sydney, but Newcastle venues are preparing to "party like it's 1997," as Cameron Burns puts it.
The Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club operations manager and Newcastle Tourism board member says bookings have surged since the Knights secured their place.
“It's like we've already won the grand final. Our city's got another heartbeat,” he said. Cameron Burns says Newcastle venues are preparing to "party like it’s 1997". Source: SBS News / Phoebe Deas The operations manager says a friend's venue, the Young Street Hotel, has 800 people booked in and has extended into the carpark to accommodate them.
"I don't think they understand what they've done for small businesses in a time where it's really hard to stay open. " Tour operator Keira Bourke sees visiting supporters of other teams join her tours when they play in Newcastle. At Raj's corner, Paramjt Atwal has watched Newcastle change since moving from Sydney and opening the restaurant in 2001. Keira Bourke was a Knights cheerleader at university.
Source: SBS News / SuppliedBourke remembers cheering the Knights as a child, then becoming a Knights cheerleader at university.
"It's really cool to see that the city's identity and soul is still so similar to the way it always has been. "Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.
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