All Saints College. The Hunter high school where four of this weekend's squad attended. Homegrown products Fletcher Sharpe, Cody Hopwood, Lachlan Crouch, Thomas Cant were previously part of campuses across Maitland and Lochinvar. Following in famous footsteps.
Broadmeadow. The train station where hundreds, if not thousands, of commuters will start their journeys from home to Homebush. Planned trackwork cancelled to make way for the expected cavalry. Punters may even repeat the Morisset pub stop from last weekend.
Coach of the year. While missing out on the official gong at this week's Dally M Awards, you'd be hard pressed to find anyone not rating the efforts of Knights mentor Justin Holbook as top shelf in his first year at the club. Wooden spooners to grand finalists. Rare air.
Daylight savings. Don't forget to adjust your clocks because nobody wants to miss kick-off. Also stands for DCE, outgoing Roosters half Daly Cherry-Evans, and dislocated elbow, the injury suffered by Newcastle back-rower Francis Manuleleua barely a month ago.
Every single game. Mat Croker hasn't missed one this season, making appearances in all 27 fixtures. It's no wonder the hard-working lock picked up the club's gladiator award. Also for eleven, the number of NRL caps rookie Crouch has notched after recent debut.
Five hundred and twenty eight. The number of NRL games the Knights will have sitting on the sidelines this weekend between suspended pair Jacob Saifiti (192), Phoenix Crossland (132) and injured duo Dylan Brown (157), Trey Mooney (47). Next-man-up mentality.
Grit. One of the four pillars instilled by the Knights before a ball was even kicked this campaign. The others were tradition, inspire, win. It's fair to say the current group have been ticking all of those boxes with their performances over the last seven or so months.
Hoodoo. One of the code's long-standing curses will be broken this weekend. No team in the NRL era has come from outside the top four to lift the trophy, Knights finished seventh. While no side in history has recovered after conceding 50 during a season, like the Roosters did v Rabbitohs last round.
Independent assessment. Former Knights utility Connor Watson had been the subject of concussion scrutiny this week and while the Roosters were giving him as long as possible to play in the big dance, that bid ultimately fell short on Friday. Medical clearance denied.
Johns brothers, Andrew and Matthew. The local architects of a golden era in the club's history, both reduced to tears on Sunday shows just how much this all means. Also for long-time Knights team manager and familiar face John Thomas, affectionately known as JT.
Kaptain Kalyn. What a season, but what a finals series. Leading from the front and the back, defence and attack. Will become just the third men's player to skipper Newcastle in a decider. Also for King Street, and will anyone replicate that storied skateboard ride?
Live sites. If you can't be at the game, seats are at a premium anywhere else. From headquarters at McDonald Jones Stadium to Heddon Greta Drive In and every surrounding pub. Let alone backyard barbecues being fired up from Swansea to Soldiers Point to Scone.
M1. No doubt there will be a motorcade of some description down that well-travelled road to the state capital come Sunday. Landcruisers, Barinas, Taragos, Utes or Harley Davidsons. The mode doesn't matter, safe travels. And say "G'day" at the Twin Servos.
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Nineteen Ninety Seven. Just never gets old. One of the most iconic moments in not only Knights history, but Newcastle history. It was a grand final for the ages, sealed with a Darren Albert try right on full-time and sparking unparalleled scenes of celebration in the city.
Olympic Stadium. Not unfamiliar territory for the Knights, with this weekend marking a fourth visit to the Sydney venue in 2026. However, a sold-out crowd will rise closer to the 90,414 from 25 years ago, but no longer able to reach the pre-Games level of 104,583 from 1999.
Peter Parr. Head honcho, top dog, CEO of the Knights. Took over the reins from Phil Gardner in November. Works hard behind the scenes. But can he make it a hat-trick of titles in 2026, with strong local links to already successful Souths (rugby league), Stockton (cricket)?
Quarter of a century (ago). John Howard was Prime Minister, Amazing by Alex Lloyd topped the Hottest 100 music countdown, and most people in Australia could still afford to buy a house. It was 2001. So come October 4, it will mark 9135 days since Newcastle's last GF.
Red and blue. Also referred to as blue and red. There's been a tidal wave, a groundswell, an avalanche, an outpouring of support for the Knights across the entire region during GF week. Painting houses, tattoos inked, landmarks lit up. Also stands for rivals the Roosters.
Silverchair and Screaming Jets. National music royalty, born right here in Newcastle. A comeback for Daniel Johns and co. didn't quite eventuate, despite high-profile pleas, but frontman Dave Gleeson has been confirmed as part of Sunday's entertainment bill.
Try-scoring race. Only a single four pointer separates Newcastle's flying wingers Greg Marzhew (24) and Dominic Young (23) this season, but who's counting? It all comes down to the last 80 minutes.
Under the weather. What many Novocastrians may be feeling post GF, regardless of the result. Win, lose or draw - thank goodness for the public holiday Monday.
Vegas. Viva Las Vegas. Literally and figuratively, another world away. The Knights rallied to beat the Cowboys and showed glimpses of what was in store while away in the USA. What a way to kick-start this campaign.
World Cup, where more than a few Knights players will likely find themselves soon. Kangaroos, Kiwis, England and the Pacific Islands. Squads due out soon. Tournament gets underway on October 15.
X-factor. The line-breaking prowess of Bradman Best? Man of the moment Sandon Smith? Evergreen veterans Dane Gagai, Tyson Frizell? Dad-to-be Harrison Graham? Bench impact from Dylan Lucas? Strike all over the park.
Youngest player in the mix. Upper Hunter product Diesel Hagan, uncapped and aged 19, could potentially become the first player in 90 years to debut in a decider. Depends on selections and six-man bench, but there's a live chance for the NSW junior dummy-half.
Zero. The number of times the Knights have defeated the Roosters this season, going down 38-24 in round seven and more recently 23-22 in round 21. Have we heard this before? Manly in 1997. Parramatta minor premiers 2001. Underdog tag might just suit?
