Newcastle is bracing for the most emotional day in their storied rugby league history on Sunday for the centrepiece game of the NRL's Rise For Alex round.
Alex McKinnon will return to Hunter Stadium for the first time since suffering his spinal injury in March for round 19's clash with the Gold Coast, and all roads will lead to the sporting temple at the centre of that great rugby league heartland 160km north of Sydney.
An emotion charged afternoon was experienced there the week after McKinnon was injured in round three against Melbourne and Knights prop Willie Mason is expecting emotions to overflow again.
Two-time premiership winners the Knights belted Cronulla 30-0 that day and the Titans could be in for a similar experience.
"I thought the Cronulla game at the start of the year when it was the Rise for Alex game, it was highly emotional for a lot of guys and this one is probably going to be twice as much," Mason said.
"I know in that circle we were standing in (before the game), everyone was crying and I know in this one it is probably going to be as bad.
"If you can't rise up for this you shouldn't be playing rugby league.
"The whole NRL is going to stand up but we are the club that are going to do it."
The NRL have announced a range of matchday activities at Hunter Stadium that includes a performance by pop superstar Jessica Mauboy.
The result of the game will be something of a footnote but the Knights can continue their unlikely finals push with their fourth win in a row.
But much of the focus will of course be on McKinnon.
"It is the Rise for Alex week but he doesn't want to put it on himself, he is thanking everybody else that is the sort of guy he is," Mason said.
"He is such good kid, I can't say anything bad about the kid. I've got nothing but love for him."
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