Phoenix, you are a large part of why we made it to the grand final

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Rugby League is such a physical sport where injuries will always occur. Phoenix Crossland, you've handled the aftermath like a true pro. Just remember, you are a very large part of our march to the grand final tomorrow. Keep positive mate, all us Novocastrians are with you.

Scott Dorman, The Junction

Knights v Pies fans: who's madder?

Well, this week at the shop I don't think I've seen anything like this before. I'm a Collingwood supporter, and Magpie supporters have a reputation for being completely insane about their team. It's a fact that Collingwood supporters will live on toenail soup for weeks just so they can afford a grand final ticket. However, I reckon that Knights supporters are just as passionate, probably even more after what I've seen this week. So good luck to you all. Rooster rissoles will taste much better than toenail soup. Squash the Chooks.

Steve Barnett, Fingal Bay

You have one job 

Great letter Ben Collison ("It takes a village", Letters, 1/10). It does indeed take a village. So many people behind the scenes who are a big part of making our Knights a success rarely get a mention, people such as our Foggs coach (7) driver who calmly and professionally handled the frustrating traffic crawl to Accor Stadium on Sunday, leaving this old codger in tip top form to shout himself hoarse. To those Knights fans fortunate enough to get tickets to the GF, you have one job: to yell louder than the person next to you. Have an amazing day, and to the team; have fun.

Dave McTaggart, Edgeworth

Grand reflection

With the Knights reaching the grand final, I reflect on the number of years we wasted putting up with O'Brien as coach.

Robert Menhenick, Charlestown

AI and AUKUS puzzle

Artifical intelligence (AI) is seemingly the new economy, and the answer to everything. Therefore, I implore our federal government to ask OpenAI to evaluate the validity of Australia's $368 billion AUKUS submarine deal, and confirm that, if these submarines actually do come in to being in the 2040s, would they really be undetectable, bearing in mind that supposedly AI can solve virtually every puzzle.

Richard Devon, Fishing Point

Nod for coal mine expansion 'appalling'

I'm appalled by the decision to approve the massive extension of the HVO coal mine. This will have a huge negative and continuing impact on all our lives for generations due to worsening climate change. How many of us will lose homes, livelihoods or loved ones due to climate change impacts because no one in power would say no to coal?

Yes, 1500 Hunter workers get to keep jobs and that would be such awesome news if the decision didn't sell all of us down the river. And why exactly are those jobs on the line? Could it be because the NSW government and the mining companies haven't invested or planned for worker and community transition in the decades before this day? Apparently it only takes three to five years to transition, and yet here we are trading away all our futures because still nothing's been done for the workers.

This was not a good news day for the Hunter, NSW, or the rest of the world, no matter how hard you spin it.

Jeanette Hunter, North Lambton

Economists skip essential lesson

The Greens elected a new leader - NSW senator David Shoebridge - who was told by former heavyweights Bob Brown and Adam Bandt that they must stop Labor approving fossil fuel projects "by whatever means" required, and that there would be "no excuses".

Almost as if orchestrated, HVO got approval to continue mining coal until 2045, a decision that infuriated all conservationists as well as valley locals. In defence of this decision, the Independent Commission on Planning said that the economic advantages of the approval outweighed the environmental impacts.

Given the recent climate-related disasters it was an extraordinary comment, but one that demonstrates that this is not an ideological struggle similar to communism versus capitalism but, in reality, it is a clash between economics and science. Economists can overrule science but have yet to grasp the precautionary principle, which should be thought of as being essential when life on our planet is threatened.

Don Owers, Whitebridge

Political survival in play

Congratulations to the NSW government for giving the go-ahead to extend the life of Hunter Valley coal mine operations and, in the process, saving about 1500 coal jobs and supporting local business and ongoing royalties and taxation revenue.

Of course, the final approval rests with the federal government to keep operating until at least 2045, so anything could happen. I wonder if the approval is related to the state elections next year and the rise of support for One Nation in NSW and particularly in the Hunter? It appears political survival may be overriding net-zero ideology.

John Cooper, Charlestown

Keep looking for venue site

In response to the article in the Newcastle Herald ("Why Newcastle desperately needs a new venue", Herald, 28/9), about why Newcastle Basketball desperately needs a new venue.

We all agree with much of what Newcastle Basketball said in this article. Of course, Newcastle needs a modern facility to accommodate the growing demand for basketball and other indoor sports.

But it's location, location, location.

Traffic, parking, noise, lighting, flooding, loss of open space and the impact on surrounding residents and Lambton High School have all been raised repeatedly by Novocastrians, who believe this is simply the wrong site. The Department of Planning's assessment is still listed as "More Information Required", with traffic, parking, flooding, event management, noise and lighting among the matters still requiring attention.

Newcastle Basketball appears determined to bounce on regardless, arguing that alternatives have been investigated. But remember, they were knocked back.

If this site needs so many matters to be continually addressed, perhaps blind Freddy could tell you where the problem lies.

The association has known for years that it would have to move. Surely that provided plenty of time to find a suitable location.

Newcastle needs a new basketball centre. But choosing a dud site and then trying to make the problems fit around it is not a solution. It's a no-brainer. Keep looking.

Hillary Oliver, New Lambton