Cessnock goes black and gold after Goannas qualify for Newcastle Rugby League grand final
After a five-year absence from the Newcastle Rugby League grand final, it's time for Cessnock to paint the town black and gold again.
The Cessnock Goannas will take on Western Suburbs in the grand final at McDonald Jones Stadium this Sunday, after an impressive 34-8 victory over Central in the preliminary final last weekend.
It has been 16 years since the Goannas have held the premiership trophy aloft, with a 22-20 victory over Raymond Terrace in 2003.
The Goannas appeared in five grand finals in seven years from 2008 to 2014, but were defeated each time - including three losses to this weekend's opponent, Wests (2008, 2012 and 2014); Wyong in 2009 and Maitland in 2010.
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Get your T-shirts, tickets and a seat on the bus
Goannas grand final T-shirts will be available at Cessnock Leagues Club on Thursday night from 5.30pm to 7.30pm. T-shirts are $20 each (cash only), with sizes 2 to 5XL available.
Bus and corporate tickets are available (see the Facebook post below).
Game day: What you need to know
9.30am: Gates open at McDonald Jones Stadium (yes, the Knights' home ground - NOT No. 1 Sportsground).
9.40am: Blues Tag grand final, Central Newcastle v South Newcastle.
10.55am: Under-19s grand final, Lakes United v Western Suburbs.
12.20pm: Open grade grand final, Western Suburbs v Maitland.
1.45pm: Reserve grade grand final, Western Suburbs v South Newcastle.
3.30pm: First grade grand final, Western Suburbs vs Cessnock.
If you can bear to relive it, take a look back at photos and video from the Cessnock-Wests 2014 grand final clash here.