Rugby league is hard.
It seems easy passing balls, holding balls, kicking balls, endlessly talking about balls, and ultimately, having balls. While it may seem easy on paper, there is a lot that goes into it.
Just ask any player, supporter, or administrator of the Newcastle Knights.
And if a team does not do well, their supporters are going to go online and go to absolute town on said players, administrators, and even their fellow supporters.
That my friends, putting aside open heart surgery and those army guys out of The Hurt Locker, is the most pressure you can experience in the world, a type of pressure that we in Newcastle seem incapable of handling.
However, beneath the endless injury list, drug scandals, and singular win in the last two seasons, there is a semblance of a good club, and according to some (including this writer), the best club in the NRL.
And so, with that in mind, here are my top five reasons why the Newcastle Knights is the best club in the NRL.
1. Andrew Johns
It’s easy to forget, but as recently as ten years ago, the greatest player to ever grace a rugby league field pulled on the red and blue of the Knights, and would mesmerise the masses with his artistry, skill, brutal force, absolute wonder, and enormous rump.
Remember when Ray Warren would be beside himself with joy calling an Andrew Johns play? I do. Still brings tingles down my spine.
And while debate rages as to whether Thurston is now better (he’s not) because he has more Dally Ms (Johns should have had five, prove me wrong), it’s also easy to forget that everything Thurston does now is simply what Andrew Johns did then, but not as well.
Thurston doesn’t have the added pressure of carrying an entire team on weakened knees, a broken back, and a displaced disc at the C4/5 level.
There aren’t many clubs in Australia that can lay claim to having had the best player ever play their whole career for them.
But the Newcastle Knights can.
2. The club colours
It’s a little known fact (and by fact, I mean something my cousin said to me that I’ve accepted as truth) that in 1988, when the Broncos and Knights were entering the comp, both sides wanted the Maroon and Yellow colour scheme.
But in a tradition that was maintained some thirty years later in beating the Knights to Jack Bird, so too did the Broncos get the rights to the Maroon and Yellow.
So, apparently, at the last minute, the Knights decided on Red and Blue.
You honestly can’t picture them appearing any other way. And while we’re at it, how good is the red and blue?
Barcelona look stunning, Boston Red Sox are just eye-catching, Newcastle United were on point.
The Knights with those blue and red stripes just scream: class. And it’s a darn good thing those jerseys scream that, because lately, their play does not.
3. Crowds
Here’s a number for you: 21,412. That was the crowd figure for Good Friday’s game against the Roosters. Another game that we ultimately lost.
Bandwagoners? Pfft, not around here. Simply sheer, unadulterated, blind loyalty and faith, to a club that continues to cling onto that bottom ladder rung, hoping that we aren’t the first team to finish 17th in a 16-team comp.
The team that has one win (and that sweet, sweet draw) in their last 33 games (don’t forget people, we also lost our last two games of the 2015 season, thanks for coming), we still draw a crowd.
The idea of attending the game is so engrained, that even when we are in the midst of a 20-game losing streak, the dried-on fans will look at the paltry 15,000 crowd attendance, and declare: that’s rubbish, it’s a nice sunny day, there’s nothing else on, there is no excuse not to have over 20,000 here today.
And that chant: “New-ca-stle.”
You’ve heard it. You’ve likely even made fun of it (“you-can’t-score, you-can’t-score,” yes, very funny, how long did that take you to think of, please stop saying it, because we know it’s true, and it hurts).
But you can’t tell me that when a 90-year-old grandmother starts chanting “New-ca-stle” and everyone else joins in, you don’t for a brief moment wish you too were a Knights fan chanting something so simple, and so heartfelt.
When it starts, and that chant hits its height, I wager there is nothing short of crack cocaine that replicates the same feelings of excitement and exhilaration.
“New-ca-stle, New-ca-stle, New-ca-stle.”
Give it to me!
4. The emblem
Look at it, it’s still the original, and the best.
It hasn’t changed in the thirty years of existence.
While the Broncos have gone from a bucking bronco to a Godfather-style horse’s head, the Raiders are more the Hulk with horns and what in the name of all that is good and pure is going on with the Roosters these days, the Knights have stood firm over thirty years to remain true and faithful to the original: a Knight in all his magnificent, simple glory.
And others have learned.
Canterbury returned to their roots, and I have no idea what Parramatta were thinking with their efforts before going back to the original, proving all the more why the Knights have been on a winner from the get-go.
People will relate to the original, because it gives them a sense of familiarity and history, a link to the originals, and as the Knights celebrate thirty years of competition, and (ahem) 20 years since their first premiership, that original emblem stands proud.
And speaking of the original premiership.
5. The 1997 grand final
Don’t. Even. Pretend. Like you don’t agree that was the greatest grand final ever (again, comments below).
Brings a tear to my eye, and it’s one of only three things in this world that still makes me cry (the ’97 grand final, the end of Braveheart, and Edward Scissorhands – I don’t care what anybody says, the Edward Scissorhands ending is sad, he’s up there in that house, on his own, creating snow, forever).
Let’s re-live Ray’s sweet, sweet, sweet words:
“There’s 20 seconds on the clock”
Seriously people, I’m getting goose bumps just typing this. Keep going Rabs:
“Albert, he will play it, 21 metres away … “
I can actually feel the tears coming:
“Down the blind, Andrew Johns, inside for Darren Albert … Albert’ll score, Albert’ll score, Newcastle! Have won the grand final.”
Honestly, I need a moment.
Ok, I’ll admit it, I’m crying. I’ve actually worn out that part of my 1997 ARL grand final VHS tape (remember VHS?) more than a 15-year-old’s copy of the police interrogation scene in Basic Instinct.
And that’s my list. I’m sure fellow Knights fans have their reasons.
What about the other teams? Are there reasons you can point out as to why your team is the greatest in the NRL?
Let me know and, in case you weren’t aware, you can comment below.
And let me know on Twitter @Kdogroars
Knight Vision
Guest
Thurston defends better ? Jesus dude do you actually watch the game of rugby league ? Do you look at stats ? Oh Thurston respects the ballboy ? hahahah ur a funny man....seriously I mean wow
Knight Vision
Guest
totally uninformed opinion. Johns would of been nothing short of a deity had he not been on the beans. That drug impairs sporting ability. Great for dancing though :-) . By the way if you have had an alcoholic drink before then you've consumed the worst drug in the world ask any medical professional who works in ER. I'd rather my own kids have an ecstasy tablet occasionally than drink alcohol.
Knight Vision
Guest
The crowds - How many millions live in Brisbane v Newcastle ? By your logic the population v crowd ratio Broncos should be drawing 50,000 to 80,000 every weekend if they were to match the Knights supporters My thoughts on the Broncos- As a Knights supporter I wouldnt have it any other way. The underdog, blue collar, bread and butter, the working class backbone of a nation not much on the dinner table but plenty of spirit camaraderie and loyalty v the silver tails the Broncos, the club that through shear force of the dollar and creative accountancy can compile a team of champions that win a competition. To me that would be like going to a maccas for dinner, leaving full but a couple of hours later unfulfilled, empty because the meal was nothing of substance. Like lining up for a shooting comp with an SLR rifle and the bloke next to you has an air rifle, Big deal you won. I'd rather be a Newcastle supporter and win it the hard way, the right way and in the spirit of true competition because when you win there is nothing more satisfying, nothing more sweet. The game only has 7 immortals, it's no coincidence that 2 of them come from Newcastle. The little Master was also a Newcastle boy.
Jock Webb
Guest
So how do they always, always fit under the cap no matter who they buy? Try a few local juniors instead of everyone else's. One town team that has had too many free kicks.
Magnus M. Østergaard
Roar Guru
I think people aren't exactly understanding what you're getting at. Mind you I enjoy the hatred from the Broncos supproters below. If you compare the actual sample size of Brisbane getting 30,000 from 2.099m people its just 1.4% of the population. Newcastle getting 20,000 from 438k people its 4.6% of the population. Have to agree that the Knights have a great club culture, the community support is unrivalled and the logos, colour and name are are superb. I can't imagine how garish the Newcastle Knights logo would look with a Maroon and Yellow colour scheme.
Nicko
Guest
As is pointed out several times to me on social media, the Broncos are in the midst of their longest ever premiership droughts yet their crowds, their memberships and broader fan base is growing quicker than ever. Newcastles crowds are impressive but when was the last time they got 50000 to a home game? You talk of the euphoria of the 97 grand final, multiply that by 6 an then come back. You already spoke of the colours, the knights had to settle for 2nd there also. Those colours represent the city and the state. Queensland Maroons, Queensland Bulls, Brisbane Lions, Queensland Firebirds. It tells the story of who we are and is our identity. The greatest of all time in all positions except 9, that belongs to Smith. Lockyer Wendall Pearl Lewis Langer Carroll Tallis Webcke. Wayne Bennett. The master. We've nurtured him as much as hes nurtured our players and most importantly we've paued his wages which a certain other club was unable to guarantee
The duad
Guest
Thanks for reminding me i forgot all about Newcastle the rugby league team,I was still under the impression Newcastle was in England, and Joey Johns was some crazy guy more likely to be found asleep in your toilet.
Paul
Guest
Johns was good enough defensively to play hooker at rep level. The idea of JT being a good enough defender to defend in the middle of the field is frankly, laughable. Great at cover defence, never gives in and of course he is incredible with ball in hand. But defensively better than Johns? No chance.
terrence
Guest
Not sure they are the best Karlo, not a bad 30 seasons with 1.5 premierships (and the .5 premiership saw a few players cop banned substances suspensions the following season). I think a few other clubs since 1908 have achieved a lot more (5 to 10 times more) than the knights have in their short history. That said, great town, great region, great team, great old boys network with a smart loyal hardcore supporters. Let's hope we see them playing again in September shortly.
terrence
Guest
the Rod, Both brilliant players JT and Joey. But to knock the defending ability of Joey is where you got it wrong. Very wrong. Joeys tackled like a backrower (that stocky, big-arsed framed helped in that respect), played for his state and country in the the middle when selected at 9. Ask any of his team mates at Newcastle, NSW or Australia about his tackling ability. Ask those hit by him. JT defends well, no doubt. But never has had to take on the responsibility that Joey did at times. I don't think his body shape would handle more than 20 minutes in the middle.
Joe
Guest
You're right about Thurston pushing himself to the edge. You'll often find him hiding outside the wingers. Johns was formiddable in defence from the middle of his career to retirement. He often nailed back rowers trying to target him, so much that teams didn't bother directing traffic to his side of the field
Joe
Guest
Brisbane population = 2.2 million Newcastle population = 400k So Brisbane has 5.5x the population, but averages just 10k more per game. In other words: 5% of Newcastles population consistently turns up to games. 1.3% of Brisbane regularly attends games. Also, I recall Brisbane going through a poor run of form through part of 2016 and the the "fans" remained loyal for about 3 weeks before turning on their team
Simon
Roar Guru
Bunch of druggies. Yes, I'm a Manly supporter ;)
no one in particular
Roar Guru
6 of the finals teams in 1998 were ARL teams. Newcastle and Brisbane both finished on the same number of points
Cheese
Guest
Thurston a better defende? Not a chance. Johns was a strong front on defender who hit like a forward. Thurston misses so many tackles and is one of the worst defensive halves in the game. There is absolutely no comparison defensively. Johns was and Thurstonos poor.
perry cox
Roar Guru
You clearly don't.
The Real Deal
Guest
JT > Joey... and I love Joey.
Sleiman Azizi
Roar Guru
Thanks for that guv. It was a fun article to read and well written. I'd write up an article on Glebe but I'm too old to remember how young I was when I didn't get to see the Dirty Reds revolt and their players go on strike for fielding an illegal player from Newcastle in Annandale.
the ROD
Guest
Thurston is a better player than Johns, True he does do everything Johns does but he defends better, covers better, pushes himself to the edge better, respects fellow teammates better, respects ballboys better and respects the fans better. Johns was great, Thurston is better
Paul
Guest
I would now like to see the 5 reasons why they can't win a game of football. That would make interesting reading. However, I do agree about the fans in Newcastle. They are a tough bunch, just like the community as a whole. Will never agree with Johns being the best. He knowingly took banned substances, and worked with the club to hide it from the tests (as some former players have commented over the past few years.) Not a legend in my book.