00:02Newcastle Knights, obviously we're travelling from Newcastle all the way down right here
00:05to where I am at Sydney Olympic Park.
00:07Here they're going to engage in what's called the captain's run.
00:09This is the final training session you do as a squad before any game day.
00:13Of course, this is a particularly significant one
00:16given we're on the precipice of the NRL grand final.
00:19This shocking incident happens literally as they're in the bus.
00:22So this moving and evolving incident gave the Knights a bit of time for contemplation.
00:28And we heard from Chris James, the director of the Newcastle Knights football program.
00:32He gave a very brief statement to media about this unfolding incident.
00:36The Newcastle Knights are aware of the incident that has occurred this morning in Newcastle.
00:43The thoughts of everyone at our club are with those that are impacted by this event,
00:48to their families and also that those are on scene.
00:51Respectfully now, this is a matter for New South Wales police.
00:54So at this stage, the club can make no further comment.
00:56So that's Chris James, just speaking to this quite obviously unfolding matter.
01:02So there is only so much they can say.
01:04Police investigating closely.
01:07The Knights as a playing squad, they then have to refocus to what has been this jubilant mood
01:12around the town and will no doubt be impacted by what's happened,
01:16to then really refocus to playing this game on Sunday,
01:19to indeed represent the community that they are clearly so intrinsically tied to.
01:24Peter Volandis has expressed sincere condolences to all of those impacted by what's happened
01:30and that the NRL will be working with police to understand all of the circumstances as to
01:35what has happened in this vehicle incident, how it was able to take place and those finer details.
01:41Obviously, the NRL doesn't have investigative powers.
01:44This is something that is in the charge of the New South Wales police.
01:47But Peter Volandis not only expressing condolences, but also saying that the NRL would cooperate in any manner that was
01:53required of them.
01:55In the meantime, the matter obviously is ongoing.
01:57So there is only so much they can add.
02:00We know this wasn't necessarily an NRL official event, what's happened here,
02:03where people were appearing alongside streets to send off the Newcastle Knights.
02:07This also did happen last week.
02:09We saw a lot of Knights fans actually cheer and wave goodbye to Knights as they came down.
02:14They usually do throughout the season go and stay the night before in accommodation,
02:18even in games that are in Sydney.
02:20So it's only a two-hour drive, but they usually come the day before to kind of prepare as a
02:24squad together.
02:25They're doing so now, but with this obvious incident in part hanging over their heads,
02:30they will now try to refocus ahead of the Sunday grand final.
