WHEN Damian McFarland pledged his 2020 Newcastle Knights membership fees to the club, he didn't know if supporters would be allowed back into stadiums for the rest of the season.
Now, he is part of a travelling army of thousands of Knights fans that will be riding the M1 on Sunday to the club's first finals appearance since 2013, against the South Sydney Rabbitohs at ANZ Stadium.
"We wanted to give our money to the club to help support them and keep the club afloat," Mr McFarland, 29, said.
"Now look at where we are."
Mr McFarland said nothing compared to watching from the grandstands.
"The atmosphere, the crowd, the buzz - it's electric," he said.
"Even when there's only 5000 there it still feels like 20,000 when you hear the Newcastle chant."
He said he felt "confident the boys can get the job done", even after "seven long years" since the club's last finals appearance.
He is predicting a close game and a final score of 22-18.
A Kalyn Ponga hat-trick or a Lachlan Fitzgibbon try, he said, would be the icing on the cake.
"People might doubt us but I reckon the boys have got it in them to go that one step further, show we mean business."
Mr McFarland said he had been a Knights fan all of his life, "even through the wooden spoon years".
His mother Denise used to follow the Parramatta Eels and became a "die-hard" when the club entered the competition in 1988.
Together, they've travelled to Sydney, the Sunshine Coast, Townsville and even New Zealand to see the team play.
He's attended every home game open to supporters this year, plus the July 18 clash with the Rabbitohs in Sydney.
"I love the team, I'm a passionate supporter and I just live and breathe the Knights," he said.
For 12 years, Mr McFarland has carried a giant red and blue flag at every home game and many away games.
It used to belong to the now-folded Crusaders supporters collective, which passed it on to him.
"I feel proud and honoured - it's a very big thing for me," he said of the responsibility.
Knights coach Adam O'Brien said he was aware of the fans' dedication even before he joined the club.
"You wouldn't swap the supporters here for anyone in the world," Mr O'Brien said.
"They are outstanding and while it's been a tough time for the community this year, I'd like to think hopefully some of our performances have give some people some joy.
"I understand there would have been some frustration there at times but they have never wavered and I'm really grateful for that."
Sid Fogg's Coaches owner Graham Habgood said five buses would bring about 175 passengers to Sydney. He said the company would enforce social distancing and leave some seats free.
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