It has been a long time since I've felt this much excitement for the club. Absolutely crazy when you consider what has happened over the last few years.
How many NRL teams could be talking about a 25K+ crowd opening round after 3 straight wooden spoons? More to the point how many NRL clubs have ever drawn that big of a crowd against an out of town team?
Newcastle and more specifically the knights really are one of leagues greatest assets. It would be awesome to see the area given more attention (and more opportunities on FTA).
To answer a couple of your questions above.
If some Sydney clubs had a spending spree like the knights did you have literally bought half’s 1st grade team with Pearce,Ponga etc.
I’d say the Bulldogs,Souths, Parramatta the Dragons, Penrith could all attract at least 20k some 25k if they had purchased the same big off season purchases the Knights did.
Plus Manly is your biggest rival by far and would normally pull big numbers of fans anyway..