Story summary
The article by Dan Walsh from the Sydney Morning Herald delves into an intriguing discussion about where pressure lies ahead of the 2024 NRL grand final between the Newcastle Knights and the Sydney Roosters. The piece highlights Trent Robinson's comments suggesting that much of the pressure is internal, particularly within his team's mindset rather than external pressures from fans or management.
Robinson's statement that "It’s mostly internal" raises an interesting point about how professional sports teams manage their expectations and mental state leading up to major games. This perspective suggests a focus on self-motivation and overcoming personal challenges versus focusing solely on the external factors such as fan support, media attention, or rival team performance.
Walsh's article also references the Roosters' history and culture of striving for premierships as evident from the club motto "we play for premierships." This indicates a deep-seated commitment to success that might contribute significantly to internal pressure within the squad. The longevity of Robinson’s tenure, with support from key figures like chairman Nick Politis and director Mark Bouris, further emphasizes the high standards set by the club and the consequent expectations placed upon the team.
The narrative also contrasts this approach with the Knights' situation, marking their first grand final appearance in 25 years. This context implies a different kind of pressure for Newcastle—perhaps more focused on achieving historical milestones rather than maintaining a consistent standard of excellence over time.
Ultimately, Walsh’s article invites readers to reflect on how internal versus external pressures impact performance and success in high-stakes sports events like the NRL grand final. The focus on mental preparation and self-motivation within teams presents an interesting perspective that goes beyond typical discussions about physical fitness or tactical strategies in professional sports.
Written for “NRL Grand Final” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 19 other(s) covering the same event.
Fri, 11 Sept, 7:50 pm, Final score, Rabbitohs 10, Knights 20
Sat, 12 Sept, 4:05 pm, Final score, Warriors 16, Dolphins 26
16 26 →Sat, 12 Sept, 7:50 pm, Final score, Sharks 26, Cowboys 16
26 16 →Sun, 13 Sept, 4:05 pm, Final score, Panthers 19, Roosters 12
19 12 →Sat, 19 Sept, 7:50 pm, Final score, Roosters 46, Sharks 10
46 10 →Sun, 20 Sept, 4:05 pm, Final score, Warriors 10, Knights 12
10 12 →Fri, 25 Sept, 7:50 pm, Final score, Dolphins 20, Roosters 36
20 36 →Sun, 27 Sept, 4:00 pm, Final score, Panthers 14, Knights 22
14 22 →Sun, 4 Oct, 7:30 pm, Game not started, Roosters versus Knights
- - →
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.
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team → start → trophy
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.
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they → descend → glory
Last year, the team claimed the wooden spoon, and today's grand final appearance is their first in 25 years.
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appearance → claim → years
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.
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incident → add → stadium
Six people remain in hospital, with a five-year-old girl among two people in a serious but stable condition.
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girl → remain → condition
Charlotte Barker and Mitchel Eastwood arrived in Sydney yesterday.
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Barker → arrive → Sydney
Ms Barker told the ABC it was "really sad" when they found out about what had happened, but being there today was "unreal".
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being → tell → ABC
"It's been good news this morning that she's [5-year-old girl] is back in a stable condition,"she said.
"It was really hard to feel positive yesterday, but I think, yeah, it feels good today.
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it → say → ?
Mr Eastwood said he was confident of a Newcastle win, adding: "Hopefully the boys can get up for all those people ...
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boys → say → people
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".
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it → share → everything
you can't measure heart, we've just got ticker," a friend said.
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friend → measure → ticker
"That's [the incident] just going to drive the boys more, it's going to drive the boys to work harder and bring that trophy home for the town."
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it → go → town
Trish said she would not let the accused driver "take the joy of the day".
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driver → say → day
"Look at us all, we're all the for the boys today," she said.
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she → look → boys
"And the boys will be there for the [injured] and we'll be there for them when we get back home."
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we → injure → them
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.
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she → watch → 1997
A father with two young boys said it was "devastating" to see all those people injured, but was glad they were "recovering well".
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they → say → boys
"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.
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one → hop → boys
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".
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team → add → spirit
"Terrible incident ... but you can see right now there's five to one Newcastle fans, so I think they're all gonna rally behind this,"he
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they → see → this,"he
"And if anything, I think this will help Newcastle lift and make for an even better grand final."
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Newcastle → think → final
Newcastle mayor Gavin Morris posted a video on social media.
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Morris → post → 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.
uncertain
he → grieve → much
"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."
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it → endure → best
An 18-year-old Sydney man has been refused bail after being charged over the crash.
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man → refuse → crash
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