As the NRL grand final approaches, the city of Newcastle is showing its support for the Knights by adorning homes and businesses in vibrant red and blue colors. This marks a significant occasion, as it is the Knights’ first appearance in the grand final in 25 years.
The upcoming match against the Sydney Roosters will take place at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday, following the Knights’ impressive 22-14 victory over the Penrith Panthers in the preliminary final last week. The excitement is palpable throughout Newcastle as fans eagerly anticipate the game.
Lachlan Gray, a professional painter and devoted Knights supporter, took the initiative to surprise his fiancée by painting their house in the team’s colors while she was at work. “A few weeks ago, I mentioned to my friends that if we made it to the grand final, I would paint my house red and blue,” he shared. “I co-own the house with my fiancée, so it was a bit of a surprise for her when she returned home.” He added that while he had informed her of his plan, he didn’t believe she expected him to follow through.
This tradition of decorating homes in support of the Knights is not new; during the lead-up to the 1997 grand final against Manly, a striped red-and-blue house in Lambton became a symbol of community spirit. ABC Newcastle radio even conducted a live broadcast from that iconic location on the eve of the Knights’ victory.
In New Lambton, Brad Malyon and his family have embraced the spirit of the event by constructing a whimsical display featuring a homemade knight on horseback, which has garnered plenty of attention from passing vehicles. “It’s been a huge hit! We’ve received so many honks from cars driving by,” he noted. “The support for the Knights is overwhelming, and it creates such a positive atmosphere in the town.”
Local businesses are also getting involved, with storefronts being painted in the Knights’ colors. Mitch Baird, who owns a painting business, reached out on social media to offer his services for free to homes and businesses wanting to participate. “The response was incredible, with numerous people reaching out, and we might end up with additional projects by the week’s end,” he said. His team dedicated several hours to painting a shop on Tudor Street in Hamilton, receiving enthusiastic praise from passersby.
Even with one of his painters being a devoted Roosters fan, Baird’s team managed to complete the task. “I had a bit of fun with him,” Baird remarked. “Despite being a Roosters supporter, he was glad to help out because he understands the significance of this for the community.”
