“New” was the watchword for the Newcastle Knights rugby team. The team had a new head office, coaching staff, and attitude in the playing group. In this case, “new” translated into better, much better. Here’s how.
Newcastle started this season in style, defeating North Queensland 28-18. It was only the beginning. The team scored 114 tries and 633 points during the regular season, well above last year’s 61 tries and 338 points. On defense, the Knights conceded 106 tries and 591 points, both below last year’s 112 tries and 638 points.
Graphic courtesy of The Conversation
I saw the season unfold firsthand, traveling to every home game and many road contests. It was all great, but the Knights saved the best for last: the Finals.
Week 1: Newcastle, the 7th seed, were the away team against South Sydney. With the Newcastle chant running wild for most of the Night, they got themselves a convincing 20-10 win.
Week 2: Next, the Knights had a daunting challenge, taking on the New Zealand Warriors on their home soil at Eden Park. Newcastle started with a quick 6-0 lead, but Penrith scored a try. Phoenix Crossland’s send-off didn’t help, and we went into the break down 14-6. In the opening five minutes, Newcastle immediately struck back with Dom Young crashing over. Sandon Smith, with his smart play and quick tap, stole the try and the lead. To finish the match, Sandon Smith stole Penrith’s offload to keep the ball and chances alive with an intercept and a full-field try. Newcastle scraped together a 12-10 win in an edge-of-your-seat thriller. After the game, Knights supporters united on the balcony, chanted Newcastle, and the players soaked it all up. Then Justin Holbrook ran across the pitch and led us in chanting Newcastle.
Graphic courtesy Newcastle Knights
Leading Up to the Grand Final: Every bar was decked in Red and Blue to celebrate the Knights; some hung jerseys and Red and Blue balloons, and some even painted their outside walls Red and Blue. Playing Sydney was straight ahead.
Grand Final – The Knights ran to a 12-0 lead before Marky Mark’s try cut it to 12-6 at the break. Sydney started the second half on fire, scoring a try to level the score, a penalty goal to take the lead, another try to Mark to go up by seven, and a field goal by Daly Cherry-Evans to lead 19-12. A late Greg Marzhew try gave the Knights some hope at 19-18, but Sydney held on to win the premiership.
Rather than hang our heads over the loss, we took a realistic view of the game. Minus Connor Watson, Sydney were nearly at full strength, and we played without our first-choice halfback, hooker, and starting props.
We weren’t alone in feeling that a celebration was in order, not despair, with the loss. Fans were waiting to greet the team with open arms. For me, it was a lng day, but one that will remain in my memory bank. It was a great season!
