From rock bottom to grand final: Knights' remarkable journey

Newcastle's journey to the grand final, their first in 25 years, is a testament to the team's resilience and the unwavering support of their fans. A decade ago, the Knights endured a dismal season, winning just one game, but that dark period laid the foundation for their current success.

The 2016 season was a low point in the club's history, with the team finishing last and managing only one win. However, even in the midst of that difficult year, the fans continued to show up in large numbers, with an average attendance of over 20,000. Dane Gagai, who played in that season, recalled the fans' loyalty: "The fans still kept turning up. There was still 20,000 people at a game, Knights jerseys on, even after back-to-back spoons."

Gagai, who is now on the cusp of a grand final victory, said: "To be able to be in this position now and give these fans what they deserve, I couldn't be more proud to be a Newcastle Knight."

Trent Hodkinson, who captained the Knights in 2016, also remembered the fans' dedication: "The first thing that comes to mind is the loyalty from the fans. No matter how tough we were doing it on the field they'd rock up in numbers."

Hodkinson, who joined the Knights from Canterbury, added: "We were trying our best to win for them, we really were, but we were deep in that rebuilding phase. The times on the field were so tough but the fans got us through it."

The Knights' sole win in 2016 came in Round 6 against Wests Tigers, a hard-fought 18-16 victory. However, the team's struggles continued, with a series of heavy losses, including a 62-0 defeat at home to Cronulla.

Gagai and Hodkinson were part of a talented roster that included players who would go on to play Origin or for Australia or New Zealand. However, the team's mix of youth and experience made it difficult to achieve success. Hodkinson said: "The new guys, they were up for it, they were next in line, but they were just young."

Despite the on-field struggles, Hodkinson found ways to give back to the community, including working with ill children and escorting a 15-year-old girl with terminal cancer to her high school formal. He said: "That made some tough times on the field a lot easier, it put things in perspective when you know kids out there are doing it much, much tougher than anyone who's playing football for a living."

The Knights' journey to the grand final has been long and winding, but Gagai and the team are now on the brink of a premiership. For Gagai, it would be a reward for his years of loyal service, and for the fans who have supported the team through thick and thin.