Source: Newcastle Herald
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ALEX McKinnon was in the hearts and minds of everyone at Hunter Stadium on Sunday as the Newcastle Knights secured their first win of the NRL season in the name of their teammate and friend.
A sea of red and blue supporters rose united before the match against the Cronulla Sharks in a symbol of support for the 22-year-old, who suffered a career-ending neck injury against Melbourne last Monday.
A plane also circled the stadium before the game, dragging a banner that read ‘‘Get well Alex 232’’ – referring to his Knights ‘‘number’’. McKinnon was the 232nd first-grade player to wear the Knights jersey.
Spurred on by their absent teammate, the Knights took control of the match, overwhelming Cronulla 30-0.
And after countless signs were waved in the crowd wishing McKinnon all the best with his health, it was revealed he had made a small step in his recovery.
The Knights issued a statement last night saying McKinnon’s assisted ventilation had been removed and he could now communicate with his family.
“His breathing will be monitored while undertaking intense physiotherapy before the next stage, which will hopefully involve a transfer to Sydney,” the statement said.
One Knights fan at yesterday’s game, Geoffrey Campbell, said he could relate to McKinnon because he had also suffered a serious back injury. That’s why he held up a sign saying “strength”, “family” and “hope”.
“I’ve got a ruptured disc myself in my back and the words [written around his sign] are all the things Alex is going to need to get through what’s happened,” the New Lambton resident said.
“I worked as a chef for 15 years and I was lifting a 25-kilogram bag of flour when it happened.
“He’s a strong lad ... it’s going to be such an emotional ride for him. There are no words to explain what I feel for him, being in the situation myself. It’s horrible and I wish him all the love and support in the world.’’
Another passionate supporter in the crowd was Maitland’s 16-year-old Josie Watt, who waved signs with her friends that read, “We love Alex”. She admitted she had a bit of a crush on McKinnon and said she was devastated by what had happened.
“He is my favourite player out of everybody and he is so good at football and he looks good, too,’’ she said.
“When I saw what happened to him my heart dropped and I cried. I couldn’t sleep – it was terrible.”
The wives and girlfriends of Knights players rallied together to show their support for McKinnon, wearing T-shirts with “Rise for Alex” splashed across them.
“He’s probably the type of guy you’d want your son to be like,” said Beau Scott’s wife Amelia.
Darius Boyd’s wife Kayla agreed. “He’s somebody who brings everybody together, he cares so much about everyone,” she said.
The Knights Nannas were out in force for Alex, holding up 14 signs they had spent all of Saturday creating.
“He’s not only a very good player but a gentleman,” Joan Delaforce said. “Put it this way, all week you just want to cry. It’s just you feel for him and his family.”
This was something she had in common with Knights coach Wayne Bennett.
‘‘I felt the angst when I came to the ground and I didn’t expect it to hit me the way it did. But when I saw the jerseys and the people and the fans wearing their colours, I realised they’ve been in the same pain and hurt that we’ve been in,’’ he said.
‘‘I didn’t want to look at too many of them, to be honest with you. It wasn’t good for my eyes. I was starting to get tears, I was, so the fans have been wonderful.’’
Almost 50 players from the Aberdeen Tigers, McKinnon’s junior club, formed a guard of honour for the Knights before the start of the match.