00:01Well, it is a hive of excitement here at Hunter Stadium in Newcastle.
00:06The Newcastle Knights holding an open training session for their members and fans here
00:11before the biggest game of their careers on Sunday night.
00:16They'll be facing the Sydney Roosters in the NRL Grand Final.
00:20Now, here for this open training session, there's more than 10,000 fans that came to watch.
00:25Of course, great timing.
00:26It's school holidays here in New South Wales, so a lot of kids, a lot of young people,
00:31a lot of mums and dads, grandma, grandpa, and long-suffering Knights fans
00:36because, of course, 12 months ago, the Newcastle Knights were the NRL wooden spooners.
00:41What a turnaround for this club.
00:44Now, the fans here this morning, they are so excited that their boys are 80 minutes away
00:49from lifting a Premiership trophy.
00:53I'm just surprised they've made it all this far.
00:57It's just crazy.
00:5925 years.
01:00They're going to win it.
01:01Oh, super excited.
01:03You can't even explain how buzzy the town is and how proud we are.
01:07Coach Justin Holbrook has been forced to make some changes to his side for the Grand Final.
01:12Last night, hooker Phoenix Crossland was given a four-match ban for a hip-drop tackle on Nathan Cleary.
01:19So that rules him out for the Grand Final.
01:21But he is here today training and soaking up the atmosphere.
01:25Harrison Graham will likely come into the starting side as the starting hooker.
01:29And young Diesel Hagen, who has yet to make his NRL debut, could potentially join the extended bench
01:36and make his debut in a Grand Final, which would just be an incredible moment for that young man.
01:42But before they even have to get there, they are soaking up this atmosphere here in Newcastle,
01:48celebrating with their fans on what has been an incredible 2026 season.
