The red and blue was out in force and the excitement was palpable among Newcastle Knights fans at the first game of the 2021 season last night.
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After limited crowds last season, the atmosphere felt just about back to normal, with McDonald Jones Stadium able to hold 75 per cent capacity.
Fans could barely contain their excitement during the day, and even the week, leading up to the Knights' 32-16 win over the Bulldogs.
The Webb family of Fletcher spent the week "counting down" to the match. Jess, Matt and their kids Lucas, James and Alyse became members after moving to the Hunter just before Christmas.
"We've been Knights fans all our lives and these kids have been brought up to be Knights fans and we've been coming on and off for years but this is our first year as members," Jess said.
The family moved from Sydney, but said nothing compared to a Knights game.
"There's nothing like being in that stadium with the Knights fans," Jess said. "We've been to other games in Sydney but there's absolutely no game like it."
Similar to the Webbs, teen siblings Blayne and Mackenzie Griffin said they have both been fans "since birth".
"We've been coming to games since about a week after birth," Blayne said. "It was a bit heartbreaking not being able to come last season. I love the atmosphere of a home game. It's the best."
The pair both said they could barely contain their excitement ahead of the clash.
"My heart's racing," Blayne said. "The energy here is just amazing," Mackenzie added.
For Mel Hellier and Evan Burnett it was their first time back at the ground after getting engaged there last year.
"I organised to go in the stadium on an off day and had the stadium to myself," Evan said. "We went out to the middle of the ground and I organised for Mitch Pearce to come on the big screen."
The pair managed to make every home game that had an audience last year, and didn't mind the smaller crowd.
"We enjoyed it, you have more room to move around, no one to block your view," Evan said.
But they were ecstatic to be back among the fans.
"We're so excited for it, it's all we've been thinking about all day," Mel said.
Sage Swinton
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
Sage Swinton is a news reporter who was born and bred in the Hunter. She has been with the Newcastle Herald since June 2020, and covers Newcastle council as well as other general news.
