Knights fans expected to line streets for grand final farewell
Former captain Harragon expects massive fan turnout like the iconic 1997 send-off when Knights depart for Sunday's grand final.
Paul Harragon captained Newcastle to their first premiership in 1997. Harragon still remembers the farewell: thousands of supporters lining the streets as the team bus left the stadium and headed out through Wallsend onto the freeway.
Almost three decades later, the Knights are back in a grand final for the first time since 2001. The Sydney Roosters will face Newcastle on Sunday as the Knights chase a third premiership.
Harragon expects similar some scenes this week when the team departs. He said the city feels the same energy as 1997: after a 25-year title drought and tough times, people are ready to explode.
Even before the preliminary final last week, dozens of fans lined up to wave the bus off. The Knights' turnaround from the wooden spoon last year has galvanised the city.
- 25 years since 2001
- Title drought
- Around 10,000 people
- 1997 crowd
- 1997
- Harragon's premierships
- Sydney Roosters
- Opponent
Why it mattersA grand final win ends a quarter-century without a title and lifts an entire region. Newcastle is invested.
AustraliaFor Newcastle and the Hunter region, an NRL grand final run is a rare moment of hope and celebration after years of struggle.
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