Standing at Newcastle Knights training surrounded by a sea of red and blue fanaticism, songwriter Morgan Evans is in his element.
As a proud Novocastrian, Evans spent much of his childhood at Newcastle games sitting on the family hill.
It's a match-day tradition that has lived with the talented musician his entire life as a self-confessed Knights tragic.
Evans' love for his footy team and local community was the inspiration behind his new self titled debut album, 'Long Live the Newcastle Knights'.
Speaking to Knights TV after performing his song in front of a packed crowd at training on Thursday, the 28-year-old said he was thrilled to write a tune about the club he has supported since he was a young boy.
"I understand that in a one-team town, this footy team is a big deal," Morgan says.
"When we have a win, you walk down the street the next day and everyone is happy.
"It’s sort of part of the culture and I guess being a musician and a songwriter I really wanted to contribute to that in a musical way.
"And this is the way that I’m trying to do it."
Since Newcastle's new team song was officially released on the NRL Footy Show a fortnight ago, the track has gone viral throughout the community.
From young Knights fans through to supporters who have been with the Club from day one back in 1988, Evans' song is hugely popular with the team's legion of fans.
It's a result thus far that has left the performer himself stunned, yet truly appreciative.
"I’m stoked," he enthuses.
"I wrote the song a couple of years ago and I grew up in Newcastle, so it’s to see a whole bunch of people come from the same place and support the same team get behind it.
"It’s just something that has always been there for me.
"As I’ve got older I work a lot on weekends, so it’s harder for me to get to games.
"But writing a song like this, well I’ve got to go to games now."
While Evans may be firmly entrenched in the music industry these days, he reveals he was actually a footy player with Central Newcastle as a youngster.
"I grew up in Newcastle and playing rugby league," he confirms.
"I played for the Butcher Boys and I played 10s to about 13s.
"I was actually this size when I played in the under 12s and I was a front rower would you believe it."
Evans says he has always loved the community based feel of the Newcastle Knights, a Club which thrives on the support of the local people.
This was certainly on show at the open training session at Wests Mayfield on Thursday with a large number of families enjoying the privilege of watching their NRL stars prepare for Friday's big clash against Brisbane at Hunter Stadium.
"It’s always been a big family affair," he says.
"I mean, my memories are sitting up on the hill at games with my big blanket and picnic lunch.
"That's happening at training here this morning and it will be in an even bigger way tomorrow at the Broncos game."
Because as Evans says in his song, 'Long live the Newcastle Knights'.
