VETERAN forward Tyson Frizell told the Newcastle Knights before their big win over South Sydney: “No-one cares about us” – while coach Justin Holbrook quoted ticket sales stats
Despite the absence of stars like Jacob Saifiti, Dylan Brown, Trey Mooney and Dylan Lucas and a number of others playing injured, the Knights eliminated South Sydney 20-10 at Allianz Stadium.
Two-try second rower Jermaine McKewen told 2GB when asked about Frizell: “He always talks like that before a game, he’s nice and calm and ‘go out there and do your job and don’t worry about anyone’.
“He told us tonight that no-one cares about us out there on the field and it’s just us against everyone. We had that mentality to go out there and do something special and we did it.”
Halfback Sandon Smith revealed: “Justo let us know before the game, I think 38 percent of the ticket sales were Newcastle fans.
“They’re driving two and a half hours up the road to see us here at Allianz Stadium. Mate it’s unreal.”
Speaking on the ABC, hooker Phoenix Crossland explained: “The whole week, no matter where you looked, no-one backed us and it’s been the same all year.
“No-one sort (tipped us for) anything and we just keep proving them wrong.
“You don’t have to talk about it. Everyone’s on Facebook, instagram, whatever. You can’t avoid it.
“We know what were can do and we just keep doing it, we just keep fighting. I’m so happy.”
Forward Mat Croker was also interviewed on the ABC, saying:“When we ran out we had the luxury of doing our warm-up in front of the Newcastle faithful. I’m just so grateful. Not that I read (much) into it but I don’t thiunk many people gave us shot tonight.
“We’ve got some kids playing their first semi- and they just found a way. I was just so proud of them.
“Justin is so good at connecting the group. Because we’re so connected, we’d just do anything for each other, whether that’s move your legs when you’re in pain or whatever. We just work so hard … it makes winning so much better.”
