The nib Newcastle Knights and Wests Tigers will pay tribute to the life and career of Allan McMahon by contesting for the Allan McMahon Shield this Sunday.
The battle for the Shield adds another layer of intrigue into what is already a stacked day of rugby league, with the NRLW side to also feature in their final home game of the season.
The occasion is the first time both sides have shared a game-day, with the fight for the McMahon Shield set to headline proceedings.
McMahon had a strong affiliation with both clubs having played 110 first grade game at the Balmain Tigers between 1975 and 1981.
He later became the inaugural coach of the Newcastle Knights in 1988.
A fullback or centre during his playing days, McMahon represented Australia on five occasions.
At the tender age of 31, McMahon was announced as the first Head Coach of the Newcastle Knights and set out to create a culture based on toughness and resilience.
McMahon paved the way for the Knights in their introduction to the league in '88 and laid the foundations that would bear fruits in years to come.
The former coach spent four seasons in charge and handed debut's to many of the Knights early influential players.
He coined the phrase 'be the player everyone wants to play with', which has become synonymous with the Club and a motto all current players strive towards.
Sadly, McMahon passed away in 2003 at the age of 48.
The Knights and Tigers will remember an inspiring figure of both clubs and continue his legacy.
The Shield has been contested since '03 in the first game of the year between the two clubs.
Since the inception of the Wests Tigers in 2000, the two clubs have met on 32 occasions, with the Tigers holding a slim lead with 17 wins to the Knights 15.
The Tigers currently hold the Shield, leaving Newcastle with extra motivation on Sunday reclaim the silverware.
