When Sandon Smith intercepted a pass during a final desperate Panthers raid and raced 80 metres to seal a preliminary final victory for Newcastle, Accor Stadium erupted, women and children screamed, and grown men sobbed. The Knights were going to a Grand Final for the first time in a quarter of a century.
Across the Hunter region, people started decorating their homes with streamers, flags and jerseys, some painted their houses blue and red. A sense of communal joy united people who had endured so much rugby league frustration over the 25 years since Andrew Johns put on a clinic to upset the Eels in the 2001 decider.
The Knights first entered the competition in 1988 and stuck loyal to the ARL during the relatively brief, but tumultuous Super League war. In 1997 with the game torn in two, the Knights won their first title defeating Manly in one of the most memorable Grand Finals ever played. Four years later when they conquered Parramatta, no one expected it would be so painfully long before their next shot at the title.
Through the 25 years the crowds still packed the home stadium, the fans endured four wooden spoons along the way, but never wavered. If anything it strengthened their resolve, the perseverance required to be a Knights fan was something to be proud of.
ESPN spoke to four Newcastle fans of various ages and experiences to see what this Grand Final really means to them.
Nick an 18-year-old in his final year of school, who wasn't even born when the Knights last saluted. Adam and Tim who were in their teens back in the glory days, and Derek who remembers the early struggles, the sunburnt glory of 1997 and the joy of 2001.
Why do you love rugby league and more importantly why are you a Knights fan?
Nick 18, of Rouse Hill: I've been around rugby league since I was six years old. Being involved as a player, coach and commentator, it has given me the opportunity and ability to understand the game, not just as a game, but also everything that goes into it. This has helped me understand the impact of Holbrook's coaching style and the impact of a fan base and a city on the team. My love for the Knights stems from my family's history in the city. They were living there supporting Wests Newcastle back before the Knights were added in 1988.
Adam 43, of Old Toongabbie: I love the combative nature of rugby league. I grew up on the Central Coast, so the Knights were the team I followed as they were closest to where I lived, but growing up in the era of Joey Johns and our first premierships made it an easy choice.
Tim 41, of Terrigal: To be honest, I don't think I ever really had a choice. I grew up in Western Sydney, where rugby league wasn't just a sport - it was a way of life. I started playing when I was seven years of age, and at home, Friday nights meant gathering around the TV to watch the footy, and Sunday afternoons were reserved for more of the same. All I wanted to do was play footy, watch footy, and talk footy. For me, rugby league is about the mates I've shared the game with, and the love of a sport that has always been part of my life. Why the Knights? My family had a caravan at Swansea, and while other families might have packed up and headed to the beach in summer, we would head up to the caravan in winter. And what happens in winter? There I was, spending my winters around Swansea, and watching the Newcastle Knights. Before I knew it, those red-and-blue colours had worked their way into my system and the timing couldn't have been better. That was the 1990s - the golden era of Newcastle rugby league!
Derek 53, of Green Point: I love the game and the skills required to play it. Being born a Novocastrian, I have supported them since they entered the competition in 1988.
What does it mean to you to have the Knights in this Grand Final?
Nick: It means more than anything. From last year's wooden spoon and all the injuries this year, the way the city has reacted says it all.
Adam: It feels kind of surreal to me still. From where we were last season and the feeling I had at the end of the year, I was fairly despondent and not enjoying watching league due to how the Knights were travelling. I told my son Harvey (8-years-old) that I wasn't sure if I could keep following them. He encouraged me to keep going, he knew how much I loved watching them. I'm certainly glad he did, as this year has been awesome!
Tim: Honestly? RELIEF! ABSOLUTE, UNBELIEVABLE RELIEF! After 25 years of patience, pain, false hope, and wondering whether I'd ever see the Newcastle Knights back on the biggest stage, we're finally here. Twenty-five years! That's not just supporting a football team - that's a long-term emotional commitment that probably deserves some sort of compensation package. There's something incredibly special about seeing the Knights in the Grand Final. It's relief, it's pride, it's nostalgia, and most importantly, it's the chance to finally enjoy being a Knights supporter without having to explain why we're sitting near the bottom of the ladder again. After 25 years and four wooden spoons, one thing is certain; we've earned the right to enjoy this moment.
Derek: It's a fantastic achievement given the run of injuries and the number of games we lost by two points or less this season. It takes me back to 1997 and 2001 where we went on runs as underdogs to win. All Knights supporters have been through a lot over the last 25 years as we moved away from the foundations of what made our club great and the style of play that made us proud. It's great that a number of local juniors have been brought through over the past few years.
How did you react to the Knights beating the Panthers?
Nick: It didn't feel real. But, the whole season I felt it coming, I kept saying a healthy Knights team wins the comp.
Adam: Harvey and I were at the game! After halftime we spoke about maybe leaving early if we were being blown away, being down to 12 players. To see how we started the second half, it just felt like were we going to win after the Dom Young try. To see my son, who is a massive Eels fan, be so happy to support the team I follow, to having tears of happiness at the end of the Panthers game, sums up how much it meant to me!
Tim: Honestly, I knew we could win, but in my wildest dreams, I never expected it to happen the way it did. Let's be honest, when you're a Knights supporter, you learn to manage your expectations. Beating the Panthers? A team that's been the benchmark of the competition for years? That was something else entirely. I knew we had a chance, Nathan Cleary was on the bench, Blaize Talagi was opposite Bradman Best, but to actually get the job done against a team of that quality? There's something particularly satisfying about beating the best. My reaction to the win was tears of joy and pride in the team.
Derek: Tears.
What do you remember about the 1997 and 2001 victories?
Nick: Well I wasn't alive, but rewatching the Darren Albert try and the videos from Newcastle that night, still gives me goosebumps.
Adam: I was showing Harvey the highlights of these matches last night. The 1997 Grand Final stands out most to me as I was in Melbourne for a tennis tournament, but I was glued to the TV. I recall jumping around and fist pumping for the next hour.
Tim: What I remember most is just how much the whole city of Newcastle got behind the Knights. You couldn't escape the excitement - everyone was talking about them, and you could feel that something special was happening. One of the memories that really sticks with me is seeing people lining the streets waving the team bus goodbye. It showed just how much the team meant to Newcastle. It wasn't just a football team - they were representing the whole city, and everyone wanted to be part of the journey. I can still remember the absolute explosion of emotion when Darren Albert crossed the line in 1997 and the brilliance of Joey Johns' 2001 Grand Final masterclass. Those two victories weren't just premierships, they were moments when the whole of Newcastle came together, and all the memories are still incredibly special.
Derek: The belief instilled by Paul Harragon and the Johns brothers, and the never-say-die attitude in not only the Grand Finals but in the lead-up games. This year is particularly similar to the '97 build-up, where we were behind in games and won in the dying stages.
Where will you be watching this one?
Nick: I didn't get tickets to the game, so I'll be watching it with my mates. I'm hoping to rub it in to some Roosters fans.
Adam: I will be in Gloucester with my family for our annual long weekend get away. We'll be having Chinese at the local bowling club, where they'll have the big screen set up and the joint will be packed out (at least 100 people) to cheer on the Knights to victory!
Tim: Well given that we finished 2025 in last place, I booked a family trip to Japan, thinking we were no chance of making the 2026 Grand Final. As a result, I will be watching the Grand Final at the Pig and Whistle British pub in Kyoto, Japan.
Derek: At home.
Favourite all-time Knights player?
Nick: Paul "Chief" Harragon. I think it goes without saying, the guy is Newcastle
Adam: I absolutely loved Robbie O [O'Davis] back in the day, but it's hard to go past Joey [Andrew Johns]. It's not just was he did on the field, but his continued love for the Knights and the way he shows his emotions during both the tough and good times.
Tim: Andrew Johns.
Derek: Andrew "Joey" Johns, with Mark Hughes a close second.
Favourite current player?
Nick: Trey Mooney, the guy loves his footy. He does the hard work, runs a good line and is just a really good footballer. He is the guy you want on your team.
Adam: Bradman Best is the man I like seeing with time and space. This year I have found so many great players within our squad. The exciting part is how young a lot of them are, that gives me more encouragement for the years to come as well.
Tim: Kalyn Ponga.
Derek: "Frank the Tank" - Francis Manuleleua.
What has coach Holbrook changed that has turned the Knights around so quickly?
Nick: The culture and the attack. As a former player, he understands what the Knights' badge means. The way he has altered the attack to fit the way the team plays. Everything he does works.
Adam: He has understood the strengths within our team. The statistic that stood out most this year was tries from our 50. Last year we scored three, up until the finals this year it was 53. Also the resolve that has been built across the entire season. This has been generated from lessons learnt throughout the various situations the Knights have been in, but drawn on when needed the most.
Tim: He has connected the team to the city. He has also invented a new style of rugby league. The focus is shifting to the edges and allowing our back five to do their thing. Whilst most teams focus on their middles, the Knights challenge both edges, and often. We have one of the best 1-7 line-ups and Holbrook has created a plan that suits these strengths.
Derek: Attack and creativity, confidence and defensive resolve. Getting the Knights back to the DNA that made them successful.
How much would victory in this Grand Final mean to you?
Nick: You can't put it into words. A trip up the M1 would be imminent just to enjoy the moment. To see a trophy in my lifetime would feel unreal.
Adam: Each round of the finals I've entered the game with optimism and a sense of excitement for what I was about to witness, all the while proud of what already has been achieved. But bringing the premiership back to Newcastle will change lives for not only the players, but maybe more so the fans.
Tim: As mentioned earlier, I have waited 25 years to see the Knights in another Grand Final. I was 16 years of age when we last won one. I couldn't help but tear up last Sunday. I'm sure more will follow if we win. Bring on the Roosters. I'm quietly confident our edges will get the job done again.
Derek: It would be great for the city and our family and in particular the New Lambton community. A great reward to the players and the fans who supported them through the tough times. It would also be a reward for previous coaches like Rick Stone and Nathan Brown who had the helm in our darkest days and began the rebuild, including attracting Kalyn to the club, with no promise of success.