Newcastle’s grand-final return revives memories of 2016’s one-win season

Newcastle’s return to the NRL grand final has revived memories of the club’s difficult 2016 season, when the Knights won only one match. The team’s return to the decider after 25 years has prompted an outpouring of emotion from supporters who remained loyal through financial problems, repeated wooden spoons and years without sustained success. Before this season, Newcastle had recorded more wooden spoons than finals victories over the previous two decades.

The 2016 campaign was the worst point of a run of three consecutive last-place finishes. Newcastle’s only victory came in round six, an 18-16 result against Wests Tigers. The Knights then lost four matches by a combined margin of 179-10 and were held scoreless three times.

Their final match was a 62-0 home defeat by Cronulla, the second-heaviest loss in club history. The side also lost a final-round match to St George Illawarra after conceding a late penalty, confirming a one-win season. Dane Gagai is the only player in the upcoming grand final who appeared for Newcastle in 2016.

He said the supporters continued to attend matches and wear Knights jerseys despite the team’s struggles. Gagai said he wanted to give those fans what they deserved and was proud to be a Newcastle player. Trent Hodkinson captained the 2016 side after joining from Canterbury as the incumbent New South Wales Origin halfback.

He recalled the loyalty of supporters and said players were trying to win for them while the club was in a rebuilding phase. The season included several difficult moments. Gagai played in the final match after his grandmother died that morning and later broke down after being racially abused by a spectator.

Jacob Saifiti, another player from that period, will miss the current grand final through suspension. Newcastle will meet the Roosters in the final on October 4. For Gagai, the match offers the chance to place the club’s lowest recent point alongside a potential championship.