‘Make it happen’: Aussie rockers urged to reunite for Knights grand final

Knights fans are partying like it’s 1997 and the calls are growing louder for iconic Aussie rock band Silverchair to reunite for the NRL grand final.

Fresh off the best Newcastle victory in 25 years, there is a renewed push for Silverchair to end their hiatus and come together next Sunday night.

The win over Penrith, despite being down a man when Phoenix Crossland was sent off in the first half, produced some of the most incredible scenes in the game’s recent history.

Andrew Johns was crying in the Nine commentary box. His brother Matthew was equally emotional on his Fox League show in the moments after the win.

Kurt Gidley, who played 252 games for the Knights and was there for some tough times, was spotted in tears in the crowd at Accor Stadium.

The emotional reaction has prompted fresh calls for some other hometown heroes to help celebrate the Knights’ journey from the 2025 wooden spoon to this year’s grand final against the Sydney Roosters.

Silverchair are synonymous with Newcastle and frontman Daniel Johns is just as revered to the people of that region as his namesake Andrew.

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It would require NRL executive chairman Peter V’landys to backflip on his stance that the game’s marquee event doesn’t need entertainment.

The league had attempted to land Tones And I for the grand final but that fell through, prompting V’landys to take a shot at the AFL for spending $3 million on Kylie Minogue to perform at their showpiece event this past weekend.

“You don’t buy the cheeseburger for the pickle,” V’landys said last week, claiming that NRL fans are more interested in the game than entertainment.

While there might be merit to those comments, V’landys could earn some extreme goodwill with footy fans, Aussie music lovers and the city of Newcastle if he can help facilitate an unlikely reunion more than a decade in the making.

Silverchair split up 15 years ago and despite Knights legend Johns claiming it was “no chance” of happening, that hasn’t stopped social media from petitioning for it.

If enough people make noise and V’landys puts some money up, who knows?

Silverchair has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide, with smash hits Straight Lines and Tomorrow garnering global attention.

After the Knights’ inaugural 1997 premiership win, Andrew and some teammates broke into Daniel’s house to celebrate in the early hours. Years later, the champion halfback gave a tongue-in-cheek apology to the Silverchair singer.

An iconic photo of both Johns – who are not related at all – has become part of rugby league folklore for nearly three decades.

The other popular Newcastle-based band that fans have started clamouring for is The Screaming Jets, whose iconic hit Better has become a song associated with the Knights for the majority of the club’s existence.

While it might be a big ask getting Silverchair over the line, Johns believes he could help get the other Newcastle rockers to perform.

“Silverchair’s no chance. I can get The Screaming Jets for sure ... that’d be incredible,” Johns said on Wide World Of Sports’ Immortal Behaviour last week.

V’landys has hinted at a surprise before kick-off on Sunday night and if one or both of this Knights-affiliated bands are involved, Accor Stadium would erupt.