Penrith Panthers face Newcastle Knights in NRL preliminary final at Accor Stadium

Two hours of train delays have disrupted thousands of Newcastle fans heading to Sunday afternoon’s NRL finals blockbuster match between the Knights and minor premier winners, the Penrith Panthers.

Transport for NSW has cited a freight train issue at Warnervale. As of about 12.30pm, replacement buses began arriving at Newcastle’s interchange.

“Passengers are advised to allow plenty of extra travel time on the Central Coast and Newcastle line, due to an issue with a freight train at Warnervale,” Transport for NSW has said in a statement.

“Trains may stop on platforms or between stations for longer than normal. Repair crews are on site and working to restore train services as soon as possible.”

A chilly, wet afternoon and night are in store for Sydney’s Olympic Park.

Which I am sure is no relief to Knights fans, who are also battling train delays and increasingly congested traffic along the M1.

For many Knights fans, the grizzly weather and train delays certainly don’t make an uplifting combination. Perhaps that’s why an army of red and blue fans has made their way to Lake Macquarie Hotel, located next to Morisset train station.

Knights fan Steve Taylor and his group of 11 friends got stuck travelling through Morriset train station and ended up at the pub.

“We were at the pub with Knight supporters; they all went to the pub to regroup and find a way there,” Taylor said. “It was a good vibe; the smallest pub in all of Australia was full of Knight supporters.”

NRL officials are obviously aware of the transport issues impacting Knights fans, as well as traffic issues around Accor Stadium.

The rain never helps Sydney traffic. The governing body is working with Transport NSW to try and minimise the impact on fans. Any suggestion of delaying kick-off ... good luck.

Broadcasters Channel Nine, owners of this masthead, and Kayo always come first in this game. And Channel Nine’s run-in to the 6 pm news is critical.

Buses are beginning to arrive at Newcastle train station, taking stranded punters to the Central Coast, where they will have to board another train to reach the Sunday afternoon match in Olympic Park … which kicks off in t-minus 3 hours!

“Buses are replacing trains between Morisset and Wyong. Alternatively, passengers can make their way to Wyong, as trains from Wyong towards the city continue to run,” Transport for NSW said.

“The majority of the replacement buses from Morisset will run express or as required to Hornsby, where passengers can join T1 North Shore or T9 Northern Line trains to get to Olympic Park.

“Repair crews are on site working to restore train services as soon as possible. We apologise for this inconvenience, and thank passengers for their patience.”

By 6pm tonight, we’ll know who the Roosters will meet in next Sunday’s NRL grand final at Accor Stadium. Will it be the Panthers – a team chasing a fifth premiership in six years – or this year’s Cinderella story, the Newcastle Knights?

But, before we get to the match itself, there is some early bad news for Knights fans: there are major delays on the rail line between Newcastle and Sydney today. Stay with us, as we keep you posted.