With finals football returning to Newcastle for the first time in almost 20 years, Knights past and present have revealed why the Hunter loves its rugby league like some places only think they do.
While the sellout crowds and the closeness between town and team might be new to Marzhew, some of the Knights have been dreaming of being part of something like this their whole lives.
But the Raiders are just dangerous enough to be a problem if Newcastle don't come correct, or if the occasion gets to them. "Around the club, around training, around the town, you can feel it. You can notice and feel the difference when you win and lose here. But if the good Lord's willing and the creek don't rise, they're going to try. The seats were sold quicker than cold beer in hell and all the tickets were gone a good few days ago. Don't call Pheonix Crossland if you need one, because even he can't get a hold of any more.
Mullen's early days at the Knights, at the tail end of the golden era, are as close as you'll get to living the Newcastle dream without owning a Henny Penny franchise or reforming Silverchair. "I was still a pup at the time. I copped a good elbow from Nigel Vagana in the middle of the season and I got needled up to play each game for the last 16 weeks — footy was a bit rougher back then, they got into you a bit.
So the greatest player the Knights have ever or will ever know turned to the kid. Johns had been mentoring Mullen since the latter was 15 and while the younger man was the club's future, Johns was still its present.
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