Knights depart for do-or-die clash with Panthers
The Newcastle Knights travel to Sydney to play Penrith; a win guarantees their first grand final appearance since 2001.
Newcastle Knights fans lined the road outside the club's training centre at Broadmeadow on Saturday morning as the team headed to Sydney for a playoff against Penrith. A victory would secure the Knights' first grand final since 2001, a remarkable turnaround from last season when they finished at the bottom of the ladder.
Among the fans was 81-year-old Neva Yarnall, a devoted supporter since 1988, and her daughter Linda Duke. "We have been through the hard times," Duke said.
"But now we can experience this. We're already winners."
The Knights have defied expectations all season, and despite being strong underdogs, they will face the Panthers on Sunday at Accor Stadium. Fans have been driving the city's fever pitch as each playoff win has kept the Cinderella story alive.
- 2001
- First grand final since
- 81
- Neva Yarnall's age
- 1988
- Supporter since
- Accor Stadium, Sydney
- Stadium
Why it mattersAn unexpected grand final berth for a club that endured years of failure would be a watershed moment for the city and its long-suffering supporters.
AustraliaNewcastle has waited 25 years for a grand final; a Knights win would be the city's biggest sporting moment in a generation.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 1 h ago
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