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Live sport on SN this weekendKnights keep Crossland along for Grand Final ride
Scott Bailey, AAP •  October 2nd, 2026 8:22 am
Newcastle hooker Phoenix Crossland is set to miss the grand final against the Roosters | Photo: Dan Himbrechts/AAP
Newcastle will continue to make shattered hooker Phoenix Crossland part of grand final week, after the suspended No. 9 went backstage for the NRL's main fan event.
Knights supporters dominated the crowd for Thursday's fan fest and grand-final press conference, with Newcastle players appearing the more relaxed and enjoying the ride.
Two days after an emotional and apologetic Crossland copped a four-game ban for his hip-drop on Nathan Cleary, he arrived with the Knights team at Martin Place on Thursday.
The No. 9 then stood to the side of the stage, clapping and cheering every Knights player as they were called up in front of a crowd of large crowd.
It comes after Newcastle also named Crossland in the No.9 jersey for Sunday's match, despite having already put a guilty plea in by the time the team dropped.
"That was his jersey all year," coach Justin Holbrook said.
Knights players welcomed by fans | Photo: AAP
"We love the job he's done, he's a big part of our team. I felt like I didn't want to replace that jersey for the last game of the year."
Knights officials felt it was in Crossland's best interests to experience the big moments in the week.
The NRL have traditionally not allowed suspended players onto the podium to accept a premiership ring or for official victory celebrations.
But the league have previously cleared them to participate in a lap of honour and be with the team after the match.
Holbrook indicated on Thursday that Harrison Graham would start at hooker in Crossland's place, with the 25-year-old still on a cut-price development contract.
"A number of players have forced their way in and got an opportunity in our side that weren't there at the start of the year," Holbrook said.
"As a coach it's what you're so happy about. The other coaching staff have done an outstanding job to take these guys along.
"We're not too worried or focused on who is not playing, we're focused on who is playing."
Diesel Hagan will likely come onto the six-man bench and become the first grand-final debutant in 90 years if he comes onto the field.
Can Knights win Grand Final without Crossland? | The Finals Countdown
If he does, it would be befitting of the fairytale that is the Knights' finals run, from last year's wooden spoon to seventh on the ladder this season with $3 million of talent missing.
A Newcastle watch party at McDonald Jones Stadium was locked out within minutes on Thursday, with 22,000 expected to attend.
Some 14,000 fans turned up at a fan event at the same ground on Wednesday, adding to a Newcastle side that is clearly embracing the hype this week.
Holbrook regularly cracked jokes at Thursday's press conference and even quipped he learnt nothing from Trent Robinson while a Sydney Roosters assistant.
"We don't want to shy away from it. It's awesome," Holbrook said of the groundswell of support.
"The game in the hunter has always been so popular and thriving. There are a lot of fans up there who have been since 2001, and they are a lot older now.
"And there are kids who are 30 who haven't experienced it yet. It's huge. The weekend was enormous, the roar of the crowd had a huge benefit for us."
If there was one moment that summed up Newcastle's fandom on Thursday, it was Robinson being interrupted by Knights chants as he answered a question about them being the crowd favourites.
"They've got a great community and it's great to celebrate. I don't look down on that," Robinson said.
"We are so proud of all our supporters ... We hear them and we're going to play for our community as well."
Tune into Sport Nation for live commentary of the NRL Grand Final from 8pm Sunday - download the app today on Google Play and the App Store.
