Tragedy Fuels Knights' Grand Final Bid: Fans Rally Behind Team

Thousands of Newcastle Knights fans have descended on Stadium Australia, eager to cheer their team on to victory in the NRL grand final against the Sydney Roosters. The team's first grand final appearance in 25 years has been overshadowed by a tragic incident in Newcastle, where 10 people were injured after a car crashed into a group of supporters.

Despite the somber mood, fans say the tragedy will only drive the team to work harder to bring the NRL trophy home. "It's been good news this morning that she's [5-year-old girl] is back in a stable condition," said Charlotte Barker, a fan who arrived in Sydney yesterday. "It was really hard to feel positive yesterday, but I think, yeah, it feels good today. There's good vibes around."

Mitchel Eastwood, a fellow fan, expressed confidence in the team's chances, saying: "Hopefully the boys can get up for all those people ... I'm sure they will."

A group of excited supporters were predicting a "white wash", saying it would "mean everything". "It's our time ... you can't measure heart, we've just got ticker," a friend said. "That's [the incident] just going to drive the boys more, it's going to drive the boys to work harder and bring that trophy home for the town."

Trish, a lifelong Knights fan, said she would not let the accused driver "take the joy of the day". "Look at us all, we're all there for the boys today," she said. "And the boys will be there for the [injured] and we'll be there for them when we get back home."

A father with two young boys said it was "devastating" to see all those people injured, but was glad they were "recovering well". "I'm just hoping for a great performance from the team and everything, hope we can get the job done," one of the boys said. "If we get the job done for them and make this city proud."

Even a Roosters fan, Blake Allen, recognised the "Newcastle spirit", saying: "Terrible incident ... but you can see right now there's five to one Newcastle fans, so I think they're all gonna rally behind this."

Chris Clancy, one of the crash survivors, will be watching the game from his hospital bed, relieved to be alive. "I actually thought I was going to die," he said. "It happened so fast, but it was like it was happening in slow motion as well."

Newcastle mayor Gavin Morris posted a message of support for the team, saying: "We can grieve for those that were hurt and injured in yesterday's incident, and we can support our mighty Knights who have gone through so much as well."