GALLERY: Newcastle Rugby League grand final, Cessnock vs Wests

The Goannas fire up before the kick-off.

The Cessnock Goannas mascot ran along the sideline urging on the team.

A sea of black and gold greeted the Goannas as they did battle with arch-rival Western Suburbs.

A sea of black and gold greeted the Goannas as they did battle with arch-rival Western Suburbs.

Layla White, 18 months, cheers on her dad Mark White in his last game for the Goannas. Photo: Melanie Adams.

First-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final.

First-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final.

First-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final.

First-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final.

First-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final.

First-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final.

First-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final.

First-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final.

First-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final.

First-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final. Cessnock winger Beau Ryan on the way to scoring the Goannas' first try.

First-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final. Cessnock winger Beau Ryan on the way to scoring the Goannas' first try.

First-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final. Cessnock winger Beau Ryan on the way to scoring the Goannas' first try.

First-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final. Cessnock winger Beau Ryan on the way to scoring the Goannas' first try.

First-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final. Cessnock winger Beau Ryan shows his agility to score the Goannas' first try.

First-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final. Cessnock winger Beau Ryan shows his agility to score the Goannas' first try.

First-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final.

First-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final. Chris Pyne dives over for the Goannas' second try.

First-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final. The Goannas celebrate Pyne's try.

First-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final.

First-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final. Dan Metcalf comes agonisingly close to scoring.

Second-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final.

Second-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final.

Second-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final.

Second-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final. Goannas forward Brendan Worth on the move.

Second-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final.

Second-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final.

Second-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final. Goannas hooker Terence Seu Seu gets close to the line.

Second-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final. Goannas lock Brendan Hlad makes a charge towards the tryline.

Second-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final. Goannas lock Brendan Hlad makes a charge towards the tryline...

...only to be held up by the goalpost.

Second-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final. Goannas fullback Sam Wooden also came close to scoring.

Second-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final. Goannas fullback Sam Wooden also came close to scoring.

Second-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final. Goannas fullback Sam Wooden also came close to scoring.

Second-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final. Shaun Metcalf offloads to brother Dan.

Second-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final.

Second-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final. Goannas halfback Joel Brown puts a kick up...

...that was regathered by his brother Riley who scored the Goannas' final try.

Second-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final. Riley Brown scores Cessnock's final try.

Second-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final. The Goannas celebrate Riley Brown's try that put them back in the game, but unfortunately it was too little, too late.

Second-half action from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final. Sepeti Afu made an impact off the bench.

Wests players celebrate after the final siren sounds.