Nilsso’s Guide to being a Newcastle Knights Fan

by Nilsso the Novocastrian, AKA Daiel Ilsso

As most of you punters & dribblers should know by now, I’m the resident Knights Dribbler of the podcast. If you don’t know me well you should be highly disappointed in yourself and should give yourself an uppercut, as I am self-proclaimed to be the greatest dribbler off all time.

Anyway enough about me, as you know the mighty Newcastle Knights Rugby League Football Club has not had great success over the past decade.

We’ve been through a lot, not so many highs and certainly a lot of lows. As low as 3 wooden spoons to be exact. Back to back to back in the 2015, 16, 17 seasons. An uncontested low point in the life of any Novocastrian.

Anyway, you get the point Dribblers & Dribblettes. The following is my 10 step guide on how to deal with being a Newcastle Knights supporter in no particular order. If followed, this guide will give you the absolute basic and necessary fundamentals of being a raging Newcastle Knights fan.

#1 – ANDREW JOHNS

Yes the 8th. Did you know Andrew “Joey” Johns played for the knights? Every time Newcastle start to have poor performances fans must make sure everyone is aware, especially the opposition, that we had easily the greatest rugby league footballer of all time play for the red & blue.

#2 – NRL FOOTY SHOW BEST OFF

Yes the old school NRL Footy Show, the glory days, Fatty, Sterlo, Matty & Chief. 1 and a 1/2 Knights legends that were part of arguably one of the greatest Television shows of our generation. Watching class segments like Street talk, Daredevil Dudes (who can forget Chief on the Vomittron!), anti ads and much more This will certainly “soothe” the pain of yet another sub-par performance from the Knights on the weekend.

#3 – 1997

Have you ever heard a Knights dribbler talk about the 1997 ARL Grand Final? Of course you have! this is an essential topic for any event, Birthdays, Weddings, Funerals, Barmitzvahs, the lot! All Rugby League supporters shouldn’t last 8 hours without someone bringing up 1997. This is one of the most important steps!

#4 – Chief VS Spud

Ahhh stand up baby, we’re all standing! Nothing gets the blood pumping more than watching Chief vs Spud highlights on the old YouTube. From hits to fights, they say this was one of the greatest rivalries of rugby league history and it does not disappoint.

#5 – 2001 OMEN

Did you know the Knights also won the 2001 premiership? Well they did, exactly 20 years ago this season! Make sure you let the rest of the NRL Competition know that 2021 is our season THIS GAME IS OUR GAME. Don’t let them bring up our performance on the weekend or the fact we are outside the 8. As the great Ray ‘Rabs’ Warren would say, “it’s not over until the fat lady sings”.

#6 – Andrew Johns

Did I mention Andrew Johns is the the 8th Immortal? Did I also mention he played for the Knights? Well, this is just a demonstration of the frequency in which you need to reaffirm this fact. Win, lose, or Draw.

#7 – Silverchair

YOOOOOUUUUUUUU, WAIT TILL TOMOORRRROWWW! That’s right Silverchair, led by singer Daniel Johns, apparently the youngest brother off Matty & Joey or as I like to call them “Sex, Drugs & Rock N Roll”. Remember that time in 1997 when the Knights won the premiership? On mad monday the 8th immortal actually kidnapped a 16 year old Daniel Johns and took him to the Knights celebrations. Ahhhh to be a Fly on the wall that day.

#8 – ITS BETTER THAN LEGO!

The classic Matty Johns catchphrase that was slurred Live on air on breakfast Television the morning after the greatest Rugby League Grand Final. If you haven’t seen the video, it’s a must-watch, and all Novocastrians must scream this at the top of our lungs when ever we score a try, make a big hit, or win a game. You get the point.

#9 Kalyn Ponga

Oooh baby, Mr Frash man. The hottest, sexiest, cutest, beautiful, stunning, gorgeous, most gifted NRL player in the competition at the moment. Just remember, he’s wearing the red and blue. Sure he might only play half a season, but he plays it for us. Let that sink in. Smell the serenity. He is a Future Knights Hall Of Famer and will be the man to lift a trophy for the whole of the Hunter in due course.

#10 BE PROUD

Knights fans, as you probably know, theres no bigger knights fan than Nilsso, and to be honest, with all the low moments, injuries, poor performances in the last 20 years. From all the off-field scandals to the ladies running the food court at the stadium, I am PROUD to wear the red and blue each and every week. Stay together, keep getting 25k+ fans to McDonald Jokes Stadium each week and be proud to be a Newcastle Knight.

Premierships en route, stay tuned.

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