{
  "id": 10642122,
  "title": "Newcastle paints the town red and blue ahead of Knights' grand final",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/29/newcastle-paints-the-town-red-and-blue-ahead-of-knights-grand-final",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-29T07:47:14.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-29/homes-businesses-painted-red-and-blue-knights-grand-final/107207600"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Homes and businesses in Newcastle have been adorned in the team colors of red and blue as the city unites behind the Knights in anticipation of the NRL grand final. Lachlan Gray, a professional painter and aspiring soccer lover, surprised his fiancee by painting their residence red and blue while she was away at work. This act of love marks the occasion as this will be the Knights' first grand final since 1997.\n\nThe Knights will battle the Sydney Roosters at Sydney Olympic Park on Sunday. The city has been swept up in Knights fever, with Newcastle having painted homes in the past, too. In Lambton, a red-and-blue striped house became a symbol of the 1997 grand final victory against Manly. A live broadcast of the previous victory was hosted on ABC Newcastle radio during that time.\n\nLocal residents like Brad Malyon and his family have gone above and beyond to show their support. Malyon and his family constructed a knight on a horse, complete with a chicken on a stake, and have received praise from passing motorists. Businesses have also joined the cause, offering shopfronts painted red and blue to reflect the team's colors.\n\nLocal paint business owner, Mitch Baird, put a call-out on social media offering to paint homes and businesses in the Knights' colors. In response, many people reached out, and Baird's team painted a shop on Tudor Street in Hamilton. Even though one of Baird's painters is a long-time Roosters fan, they completed the job. Baird's team expressed their appreciation for the opportunity to contribute to the city's spirit and pride during this exciting time.",
  "summary": "Homes and businesses across Newcastle have been painted red and blue as the city gets behind the Knights ahead of their first NRL grand final in 25 years.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}