Tragedy will drive Knights to bring home NRL trophy, fans say - ABC News & Headlines – Australian Broadcasting Corporation

Thousands of Knights fans have descended on Stadium Australia ahead of tonight's NRL grand final. (ABC News: Victoria Pengilley)

Fans say the tragedy at Newcastle where 10 people were injured after a car crashed into Knights supporters will only make the team "work harder" to bring the NRL trophy home.

Thousands of supporters have descended on Stadium Australia decked out in red, blue and white as they eagerly await their team battling it out against the Sydney Roosters for NRL grand final glory.

Last year, the team claimed the wooden spoon, and today's grand final appearance is their first in 25 years.

It has been 25 years since the Knights have played in a grand final. (ABC News: Victoria Pengilley)

Adding to the emotion of the day was the incident at a roundabout on Newcastle Link Road, at Wallsend, impacting fans lining the road to farewell the team bound for the stadium.

Six people remain in hospital, with a five-year-old girl among two people in a serious but stable condition. 

Charlotte Barker and Mitchel Eastwood arrived in Sydney yesterday.

Ms Barker told the ABC it was "really sad" when they found out about what had happened, but being there today was "unreal".

"It was really hard to feel positive yesterday, but I think, yeah, it feels good today. There's good vibes around."

Ms Barker says it was hard to feel positive yesterday. (ABC News: Victoria Pengilley)

Mr Eastwood said he was confident of a Newcastle win, adding: "Hopefully the boys can get up for all those people ... I'm sure they will."

The sentiment was shared by a group of excited supporters, who were predicting the game would be a "white wash", saying it would "mean everything".

"It's our time ... you can't measure heart, we've just got ticker," a friend said.

Fans told the ABC they were confident of a Newcastle win. (ABC News: Victoria Pengilley)

Trish said she would not let the accused driver "take the joy of the day".

"Look at us all, we're all the for the boys today," she said.

"And the boys will be there for the [injured] and we'll be there for them when we get back home."

Trish has been a Knights fan "from day dot", and was "just so proud", watching them take home the premiership title in 1997 and 2001.

"So this third one, we're gonna win also," she added.

Trish says she has been a fan of the Knights since " day dot". (ABC News: Victoria Pengilley)

A father with two young boys said it was "devastating" to see all those people injured, but was glad they were "recovering well".

"I'm just hoping for a great performance from the team and everything, hope we can get the job done," one of the boys said.

He added: "If we get the job done for them and make this city proud."

Roosters fan, Blake Allen, while adamant that his team would be victorious, also recognised the "Newcastle spirit".

"And if anything, I think this will help Newcastle lift and make for an even better grand final."

Fans say a win will help lift the town.  (ABC News: Victoria Pengilley)

Newcastle mayor Gavin Morris posted a video on social media. 

"We can grieve for those that were hurt and injured in yesterday's incident, and we can support our might Knights who have gone through so much as well," he said.

"They endured a lot through their trip to Sydney, getting the news through of what happened, but today right now I say to the boys, it's time now to get out there and give it your best."

An 18-year-old Sydney man has been refused bail after being charged over the crash.