In his final pre-game media conference, Newcastle coach Justin Holbrook maintained that the emotion of grand final week would not overwhelm his Knights charges as they attempt to take the final step of a remarkable surge that has taken them from the very bottom to the brink of the NRL summit within 12 months.
That comment was made at about 8.45am on Saturday morning. Within 45 minutes, the goalposts shifted.
It was then, just as the players boarded their Sid Foggs coach for their journey to Sydney, that a dark cloud was cast over the biggest day on the rugby league calendar.
The Knights knew something was amiss when their bus didn’t depart straight away – and when it did, was diverted away from the designated route through Wallsend streets lined with hundreds of well-wishing supporters.
“When we started the trip off, it was euphoria,” said one of the passengers on the Knights bus, speaking on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the situation. “It was incredible, there were people everywhere, it was awesome.
“And then it was, ‘Why are we going here?’ Little murmurs started. And then they came to address us … it put a downer on everything. What started as euphoria ended up being a very quiet bus.”
After a series of conversations with police, Newcastle’s director of football Chris James attempted to fill in the blanks as best he could.
“They were shocked, it was a very sombre bus ride,” said another passenger. “Our fans mean everything to us. For that to happen; horrible. Everyone is rattled.”
The gravity of the situation became apparent before the Knights had even disembarked. NRL executive chairman Peter V’landys is a man not easily rattled, but the concern in his voice when contacted was unmissable.
“Geez, it’s bloody awful,” a clearly shaken V’landys told this masthead. “We’re just concerned about the victims.”
Asked if the incident would impact on the plans for the grand final, V’landys said: “We’re just concerned about the victims at the moment, that’s all we’re focusing on.
“Our thoughts are very much with those injured and anyone impacted by the events, not to mention the entire Knights community who have come together in jubilation to support their team.”
The Knights had done a tremendous job of blocking out the noise and focusing on the job at hand this week as the city of Newcastle has united behind its team.
However, the horrific crash on Saturday morning that left 10 Knights fans, including three children, hospitalised has the potential to derail a potential fairytale premiership. How the shaken Newcastle players respond could well dictate the outcome of Sunday’s clash against the Roosters.
The underdog Knights have already overcome so much to get to the grand final. Already missing Dylan Brown, Phoenix Crossland, Daniel Saifiti and Trey Mooney due to injury or suspension, the Novocastrians turned up with heavy hearts to their captain’s run, their final pre-game training session at Accor Stadium for 2pm on Saturday.
“Our thoughts and prayers are first and foremost with everyone who has been injured, their families and loved ones, and everyone who witnessed what occurred this morning,” said Knights chief executive Peter Parr.
“What was meant to be a special morning for our community, thousands of Novocastrians coming together to farewell our team and show their support ahead of the grand final, has understandably turned into a distressing morning.
“Newcastle is a strong community. We have seen that strength throughout this week, and today we need to draw on it again with compassion, care and support for those who need it most.”
The bus trip is the setting for many tales that have entered rugby league folklore. It was on the corresponding journey to the grand final in 1997 that captain Paul Harragon stood up in front of his teammates and declared: ‘Boys, we ain’t coming back here as losers!’”
Then there is the 1985 State of Origin series. As the Blues bus brought the NSW players to the old Lang Park, upon approaching the Caxton Hotel, skipper Steve Mortimer ordered the driver to stop.
“Look at them!” Mortimer screamed at his teammates as Maroons fans rocked the bus and threw projectiles at it. “They hate us. They’re here to see us get beaten, but we’re sending them home disappointed. This is where it all turns for us.”
Nobody said another word until the players ran onto the field for the opening game. NSW won it, and then the second game, to claim the series for the very first time.
However, Saturday’s trip to Sydney was no place for a Mortimer or Harragon-esque speech.
At some point early on Monday morning, the Knights will make the bus journey back to the community they proudly represent. They have just been given another reason, if one was required, to bring the premiership trophy with them.
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