It’s a father-son tradition separated by almost two decades that typifies the importance of local connections to the Newcastle Knights.
In Club legend Marc Glanville and his son Ryan, who plays back-row in the SG Ball ranks, the Knights' focus on the Hunter community is perfectly represented.
Marc made a name for himself with 188 top grade games and a premiership in 1997 for Newcastle and now his son is continuing the proud family links.
Ryan has been a standout in the SG Ball this season, who take on the Canberra Raiders in the first week of the Junior Representative finals at Campbelltown Stadium this Saturday.
For Glanville senior, the sight of his son running around in red and blue is a huge moment for the family.
"I’m extremely proud that Ryan has made the SG Ball team and he has been playing very well this year," Glanville tells Knights TV.
"So it gives me a great thrill to go out and watch him each weekend.
"The beauty about the Newcastle Knights is that we’ve had some great juniors over the years and local juniors come through.
"And I think the Newcastle crowd love to go and see that.
"They want to see locals go through and make it to the top and with the Knights those local juniors have that opportunity do that.
"It’s great to see that hopefully through Ryan and through other guys hopefully that will continue."
Glanville junior says he has always looked up to his old man, admitting he spent much of his youth watching video footage of his father in his prime.
He has also picked up plenty of advice from Marc over the years that he now implements in his own game.
"Watching dad and all the other boys kind of helped me get to where I am now," Ryan says.
"Dad has given me a lot of advice, but one is definitely to go low in defence.
"There will be big boppers coming at me, but there is no point going high.
"But really he has helped me with every part of my game.
"It’s definitely a bit surreal watching dad play with blokes like Andrew Johns.
"Seeing him play with an Immortal is a pretty big thing.
"It’s definitely a great effort."
Glanville senior attends most of Ryan's junior rep games, but is first to admit he is not the best spectator.
"It can be a little bit frustrating seeing opportunities, but that all comes with experience," he grins.
"I guess it’s definitely tougher being on the sideline compared to on the field."
When it comes to his own career, Marc has plenty of memories to draw upon.
From the historic 1997 grand final triumph through to NSW Country representation, the 47-year-old achieved plenty during his playing days.
Asked how far he had to search to find his old jumper from the 97 season, he joked that it took plenty of time to dig up.
"It was kept in a bag somewhere at one of our businesses," he smirks.
"So I had to get the wife to have a look for it and bring it out of the moth balls.
"But anyway, it still fits."
With players like his son coming up through the grades, Glanville has no doubts the Club's future is in good hands.
In fact, look across the Club's junior ranks and there are a number of father-son connections.
There's Jack Cogger and his father Trevor (former Wests halfback), Nicolas O'Meley (the son of former Bulldogs prop Mark), Sam Stone (son of Knights assistant coach Rick) and Tex Hoy (son of surfing champion Matt).
"We were struggling there a few years ago, but it’s back on track through both the SG Ball and the Harold Matthews," he enthuses.
"They are all local juniors, so it should hold the club in good stead for years to come.
"Right from day one the motto of the Knights has been, be the player that everyone wants to play with.
"I think that is typified right through the grades.
"So we’ve certainly got a great tradition here at the Knights and we want to continue that through the years."
