NOT TIME TO SPLIT ROB CROSBY ON WHY THE NRL'S MOOTED 18-TEAM, TWO-CONFERENCE SYSTEM IN FUTURE YEARS WILL BE BAD FOR THE MEN IN RED AND BLUE

hope the proposed two conference model floated by the NRL doesn’t eventuate.

My reasoning for keeping the status quo may be selfish given my standing as a Newcastle supporter, but as a fan of a club that stands to lose under a raw deal, I feel this proposal treats the Knights and other teams Ioutside of as second-class citizens.

As a Newcastle supporter who turned up week after week during the post-Bennett years to watch my side suffer 19 consecutive losses, the two conference model upsets me on a level that ‘winning’ three straight wooden spoons doesn’t even come close to.

Newcastle has a connection to the Sydney teams that dates back to the very foundations of back in 1908. Just as Eastern Suburbs and South Sydney were foundation clubs, a team from Newcastle participated in the 1908 and 1909 premiership seasons.

When the Knights were admitted into the NSWRL for the 1988 season, the club forged rivalries with each of the Sydney clubs that continue to this day.

Souths can boast about their Book of Feuds; as a Newcastle fan I carry our rivalries in the core of who I am.

The played their first match in the NSWRL against the in 1988. 13 years later the teams faced off in the 2001 – a match that lives long in the memory of Novocastrians.

The Knights and Sea Eagles have enjoyed a huge rivalry originating in the 1988 pre-season and culminating in the 1997 ARL Grand Final.

When kissed the Newcastle crest against the Roosters two years ago I was overwhelmed with joy.

Akuila Uate scored four tries to lead the Knights into the 2011 finals after defeating South Sydney in a do-or-die final round match.

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Hazem El Masri broke Newcastle hearts with his famous sideline conversion in 2002.

The Sharks dealt the Knights a devastating 62-0 loss in 2016. The Knights defeated their Sutherland rivals by a field goal in the 1995 finals series.

The Knights produced one of the greatest performances in the club’s history against the Panthers following the COVID resumption last season.

Darren Albert became the first Newcastle player to score four tries in a match against the Tigers in 2000. kicked a penalty goal after the siren that helped the side avoid the wooden spoon in 2007.

Andrew Johns nailed a conversion from the sideline in 2003 to defeat the Dragons.

All these moments have made the Knights into one of the great rugby league clubs. These moments carry meaning to Newcastle supporters because of the Sydney clubs.

Denying the Knights the chance to compete against Sydney teams cuts at the core of the club.

The NRL have tested a host of ill-conceived ideas in recent years such as a finals wildcard weekend.

I hope for the sanctity of what it means to be a Newcastle supporter that the two conference proposal goes the same way.

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