It will go down as one of the most famous nights in the history of the nib Newcastle Knights, and one of the greatest moments in Kurt Gidley’s storied career at the club.
It was six years ago today, with the Knights taking on Melbourne at what was then called Hunter Stadium.
While the Storm were on track for yet another finals campaign, the Knights were playing for little other than pride after a disappointing campaign.
The game was going mostly to script, with the Storm well on top after a four try performance from Sisa Waqa and four pointers to Billy Slater and Will Chambers.
The Knights fought hard, however looked set to fall short with the last of Waqa’s tries leaving the Knights trailing 30-20 with just 2 minutes and 2 seconds remaining.
The crowd began to thin as fans conceded defeat and attempted to beat the traffic. Even captain Kurt Gidley conceded his side were no chance.
“We we’re gone mate, we’d been lacking desire and weren’t working hard enough for each-other,” Gidley said.
Just as the game ticked over to the 78th minute, hooker Travis Waddell attempted a one-on-one strip close to the Storm line, and everything changed.
Like a thief in the night, the crafty No.14 took the ball from Slaters grasp and dived over untouched, bringing the Knights within four points of the Melbourne side.
What came next defies description.
With one set of six to win the game, the Knights took the ball 100 metres, with the help of a penalty, and crossed in the right-hand corner through flyer Aquila Uate as the full-time siren sounded.
The scores were now locked at 30-30 with the game over. The Knights would have a high-pressure kick to win the game from the sideline.
Without blinking, Kurt Gidley stepped up, nailing the conversion right over the black dot and sending the crowd of 14,904 into raptures.
“It’s what all goalkickers dream of,” Gidley told Fox Sports post-match.
“It was our best performance as far as just never giving up.
“The home fans ride the highs and lows with us, so it was a nice way to thank them.”
