Knights fans fly, drive and charter limos for 25-year grand final wait
Newcastle Knights fans crossed continents and states to be at the club's first grand final in 25 years.
Aaron Royle, a guide for a para-triathlete, was at the world championship in Spain when Newcastle beat Penrith in the preliminary final. Royle flew from Manchester on Thursday night, arriving in Newcastle Saturday afternoon via Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
Royle's father Ken spent until 3am Monday refreshing the Ticketek site to secure tickets, hitting the button over 400 times. Other fans chartered a stretched limousine to the stadium, while some drove through the night from Melbourne.
Matt Tattis's family flew from Port Hedland to celebrate his 44th birthday at the preliminary final and stayed for the grand final. A 13-year-old fan with cerebral palsy waved his Knights flag at the summit of Mt Kosciuszko in January to raise $35,000 for charity, and returned Sunday to watch the game.
The club's drought lasted 25 years since the last grand final in 2001.
- 25 years, since 2001
- Years since last grand final
- Over 400 times at 3am Monday
- Ken's ticket refresh attempts
- Raised 35,000 dollars in January
- 13-year-old fundraiser at Mt Kosciuszko
- World championships in Spain
- Aaron Royle's journey origin
Why it mattersA quarter-century gap between grand finals draws genuine passion; fans' journeys show what the moment means to Newcastle.
AustraliaNewcastle's first grand final in 25 years has energised the city and brought fans from across Australia and overseas to celebrate.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 52 min ago
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