Knights players’ families air ‘devastating heartbreak’ as Roosters revel in NRL grand final victory

The NRL grand final may be over but the partners and families of players on both sides of the field have kept the buzz going with touching social media tributes.

Though the Newcastle Knights lost the match by a single point, the players’ families were still so proud of all they’d achieved.

Tyson Frizell’s wife Sammy shared an emotional post alongside photos of them with their three children at the grand final on Sunday night.

“Hard to put into words just how heartbreaking that was. It feels like everyone else gets their fairytale ending, but for some frustrating reason, it just wasn’t meant to be for Tys,” she began.

“I’ve witnessed firsthand just how hard it is to even make a Grand Final and now, the devastating heartbreak of losing one.

“But what you have won is the hearts and respect of every single Newy fan, and I don’t think I could ever put into words how proud I am of you.”

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Sammy added that seeing Tyson play in a grand final after suffering a serious rib injury earlier in the season proved how tough he is.

“We didn’t get our photo on the field. But honestly, it doesn’t mean shit to me. I’m just so proud of you @tysonfrizell. Always,” she wrote.

Dane Gagai’s wife Kelly shared a touching Instagram Story with a photo of him hugging their eldest son Dante after the grand final, which she captioned: “The way our son looks up to you ... you’ve already won at everything in life.”

Fletcher Sharpe’s partner Sophia Zouein posted a simple black and white snap of the Knights team with a red heart over Sharpe in the hours after they lost.

Roosters captain James ‘Teddy’ Tedesco was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal after leading the team to a one-point victory over the Knights and wife Maria Tedesco couldn’t have been more proud.

She shared behind-the-scenes grand final snaps of her husband celebrating with their daughter Rosie on Instagram with the caption, “What a night”.

Another picture showed Maria, Rosie and the couple’s youngest daughter Marlie all dressed up in Roosters colours at home before the match.

Kaylah Collins posted a similar carousel of pictures for her Roosters player husband Lindsay Collins, captioned “That’s my team”.

It included snaps of them with their two daughters, Georgia and Phoebe, wearing Roosters jerseys, and a photo of Lindsay celebrating after his team’s big win.

Another Rooster, Victor Radley, was honoured with a sweet Instagram post from his fiancée Taylah Cratchley.

She shared a series of pictures with their sons Vinnie and Cruze before kick-off, as well as behind-the-scenes snaps from inside the Roosters locker room after they snagged the premiership win.

“WINNERS. Couldn’t be more proud of you @victor.radley,” she wrote alongside it.

Nat Butcher’s wife Harmony shared her own tribute captioned “Premiers baby”, though only their eldest son Beau appeared in the pictures she shared.

Nat made sure their younger twin daughters, Belle and Billie, were still part of the action by having their names printed on his grand final boots alongside Beau and Harmony’s.

While the families of the Knights and Roosters players were honouring them on Instagram, keen-eared NRL fans were losing it over a detail many missed during the historic grand final.

After Francis Manuleleua scored the first try of the match for the Knights against the Roosters, Tones and I’s hit Dance Monkey was blasted across the stadium over the speakers.

Many fans suspected it was a subtle dig at the Aussie singer, whom the NRL had approached to headline the pre-game entertainment before talks fell through.

Instead, Amy Shark joined members of The Screaming Jets, Grinspoon, Teen Jesus and the Jean Teasers, and Peking Duk for a musical tribute to Jai Arrow.