Millie Boyle could hear the emotion in Paul Harragon’s voice.
From one front-rower to another, he outlined what the Knights were built on. Now, 25 years since Harragon hoisted a trophy into the air after a bloke named Andrew Johns told Darren Albert to “stay alive” before going down the blind, Boyle will look to follow in Harragon’s footsteps by leading Newcastle to a premiership.
The Knights have tapped into the heroes of yesteryear to inspire their newest cohort as Newcastle chase an NRLW premiership in Sunday’s grand final against Parramatta at Accor Stadium.
Harragon joined former club captain Kurt Gidley in speaking to Boyle and her teammates this week. Few players to have worn the red and blue fit the bill of a Newcastle player quite like those two – one a premiership-winning skipper, the other the club’s second most-capped player in a career built on more grit than flamboyance.
“It means so much to us as players to have amazing athletes like Kurt and Chief there. We grew up watching them play, watching them win premierships, be at the top level of the game, idolising people like that,” Boyle said.
“Kurt brought his two daughters in as well to talk about how important that was for them to see a pathway for them if that’s what they choose. Chief is just such a legend in the way he played the game, and the way he still talks about the game really means so much to us.
Eels centre Tiana Penitani and Knights skipper Millie Boyle will meet for the premiership trophy.Credit:Getty
“They spoke about being the player everyone wants to play alongside. That’s what they built their foundation on, and their success. That’s what we want to create here at Newcastle.”
The idea of Newcastle winning a premiership this year had once seemed far-fetched. In Boyle they found the leader of the pack, in fullback Tamika Upton they found a spark in their attack, and in coach Ronnie Griffiths they found a mentor desperate to embrace those who went before.
“We set out from day one to make sure we had harnessed what the Newcastle way was about. We’ve had hall of fame members come in and meet with our players and talk about what that means,” Griffiths said.
“They laid the foundation, they had no money, they had a certain set of values they stuck to. From day one, we included those people in our circle so we could understand what it meant to be a Newcastle Knight.”
Knights fans will be outnumbered in the stands on Sunday, with thousands of Parramatta fans on hand in the hope of seeing their club end 36 years of heartache with two premierships in a matter of hours.
“When you looked at that Eels’ men’s team and the history behind all of that, and what they’re playing for, I just thought this is a massive opportunity if we can get there,” Eels coach Dean Widders said.
“It’s going to be a huge week for all the Parra fans. I think it’s up there with the best experiences a woman can have in sport in Australia. Hopefully we can handle all that and be ready on Sunday to really give it a shot.”
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