The Knights have had a heroes welcome home in Newcastle after a week marred by tragedy and loss.
Thousands of fans turned out to the team’s home stadium on Monday and celebrated the players who fell short of winning their first premiership in 25 years the night before.
But the 19-18 loss to the Roosters wasn’t front of mind, rather, it was a car that ploughed into 10 fans waving off the team bus headed to the grand final in Sydney.
Knights boss Peter Parr made a special mention of it to begin the fan day.
“First thing I'd like to do today is to acknowledge the people that were impacted in the afternoon, on Sunday morning,” he said.
“We’re sending them as much love as we can.”
Lord Mayor of Newcastle Gavin Morris doubled down and said it ripped the heart out of Newcastle when it should have been celebrating.
“I'll never mention that person's name (the driver) because it's done now … from here, it is nothing but a joyous occasion. We are going to rise back up again,” the Lord Mayor told the crowd.
The man behind the wheel in the crash, 18-year-old P-plater Indika Bambrick Samarasinghe, was on Monday refused bail after being charged over Sunday's incident.
It was the only sorrow felt after the grand final loss as the mood lifted when the mayor added hopes of giving each player a key to the city if they win next year.
The fans cheered on as the returned team took to the field at McDonald Jones Stadium and celebrated as though the knights had won the final game in October.
It was a turnaround nonetheless from last year’s wooden spoon finish.
The uplifted emotions continued when outgoing players Dane Gagai and Tyson Frizell took to the microphone.
Frizell played in his first NRL grand final on Sunday after more than 300 games and said it meant the world to him playing in front of Knights fans.
“Especially with the strength and support we had throughout the week, it was pretty emotional,” he said.
“It’s a pity we didn’t come home with the trophy … but hopefully we’re in a better place.”
The team walked around the stadium for a meet and greet at the sidelines, took selfies and signed Knights merch to end the season, though two fans missed the occasion.
A man named Chris Clancy and a five-year-old girl remain in hospital after the crash.
The girl remains in a serious condition and is said to have a long road to recovery ahead.
A spokesperson from the Newcastle Knights told AAP that players would visit the two in hospital later in the week.
