Knights through to grand final after defeating Penrith
Newcastle are through to the 2026 grand final after defeating the Panthers 22-14.
Where to begin? This is sensational.
They’ve gone from the wooden spoon in 2025 to a grand final appearance in 2026. And they did it a man down for the entire second half after Phoenix Crossland was sent off for a hip-drop tackle on Nathan Cleary.
Sandon Smith, who scored the intercept try to seal victory, will face the Roosters in the grand final. The Tricolours didn’t want him – he was let go by the club in favour of Daly Cherry-Evans and Hugo Savala. And now he has led Newcastle to the decider against them.
This is Newcastle’s first grand final appearance since 2001. That is a 25-year drought broken.
Let’s not forget the drama and devastation of this match, though. Cleary left the field with a compound fracture, and Blaize Talagi was also taken off after suffering an achilles injury.
But still, Newcastle were gutsy and impressive, as Dominic Young and then Smith scored tries in challenging conditions to keep Newcastle’s dream alive.
Defend the kingdom. The Knights march on.
Full-time: Knights 22, Panthers 14
It’s taken 25 years, but Newcastle are back
Let’s travel back in time.
The last time Newcastle were in a grand final, the year was 2001 and they defeated the Eels 30-24 in front of 90,000 fans.
Need a refresher of what that Knights team looked like?
Robbie O’Davis was wearing the No.1 jersey, Andrew Johns and Sean Rudder were in the halves and Michael Hagan was in the coach’s chair.
Parramatta fullback Brett Hodgson scored in the 78th minute to make it one converted try the difference with one minute left in the match (after a successful conversion).
But Newcastle held on and lifted the trophy. Little did they know they’d have to wait 25 years before they got the opportunity to do it again.
The stats at full-time
Newcastle’s victory in photos
Matty Johns breaks down on Fox after Newcastle victory
What an amazing victory for Newcastle. And it’s fair to say Matty Johns is feeling it.
Johns broke down in tears during Fox’s post-game coverage after the Knights qualified for their first grand final since 2001.
“It’s actually, actually I don’t know what to say,” Johns said on Fox.
“It was unbelievable, incredible effort in that second half. I just feel, I’m so happy for all the fans. All the people who have put up with a lot of sh-t for a lot of years.
“To get back to where they are now, Justin Holbrook did an unbelievable job, and what they did in that second half [was amazing] … When you run onto a field like that, and you look up and you see all those Newcastle fans, you don’t leave the field defeated. If not for the fans, they don’t win today.
“There was some really tough things, I feel so sorry for Nathan Cleary and what happened there. A terrible thing. It really was. But I’m just trying to at the moment absorb it all.”
Knights through to grand final after defeating Penrith
Newcastle are through to the 2026 grand final after defeating the Panthers 22-14.
Where to begin? This is sensational.
They’ve gone from the wooden spoon in 2025 to a grand final appearance in 2026. And they did it a man down for the entire second half after Phoenix Crossland was sent off for a hip-drop tackle on Nathan Cleary.
Sandon Smith, who scored the intercept try to seal victory, will face the Roosters in the grand final. The Tricolours didn’t want him – he was let go by the club in favour of Daly Cherry-Evans and Hugo Savala. And now he has led Newcastle to the decider against them.
Sandon Smith scores intercept try in final minute
Oh my god.
Newcastle are going to be in the grand final.
You can’t script this stuff.
Sandon Smith intercepts with Penrith knocking on the door in the final minute of the match, and he scores to seal victory for the Knights.
That is unbelievable.
Newcastle fans go wild as victory nears
There’s only one way to say this … the Newcastle fans are going feral.
First, a Kalyn Ponga hit on Moses Leota gets them going, and now it’s Sandon Smith tackle on Lindsay Smith that makes the Penrith forward cough up the ball.
It’s fair to say that this is one of the wildest games of rugby league I have ever witnessed.
The “Newcastle, Newcastle, Newcastle” chants are echoing throughout Accor Stadium.
This one is going down to the wire.
Knights 16, Panthers 14 with two minutes to go
Have your say? Did Casey McLean score?
Casey McLean almost gets there, but referee Gerrard Sutton sends it up no try.
You know how it goes – given all available angles, the bunker supports the on field decision of no try.
Blaize Talagi off with leg injury
Things have gone from bad to worse for the Panthers.
First, Nathan Cleary’s compound fracture. And now Blaize Talagi hits the deck untouched and grabs at his left leg.
He’s helped off the field as Penrith once again scramble.
Penrith have confirmed it’s an achilles injury.
Knights 16, Panthers 14 with 13 minutes to go
Newcastle take the lead with controversial try
Controversy. We have controversy.
Newcastle halfback Sandon Smith takes a quick tap for a foul play penalty and surges through the middle to score an equaliser for the Knights.
Referee Gerrard Sutton says “foul play had been cleared” and the try is awarded despite the pleas of Dylan Edwards, who thinks the referee has made an error.
Technically, you cannot take a quick tap on foul play. However, Sutton had set the mark, and that’s where Smith took the quick tap, which means it’s fair play.
Well done, Sandon Smith. Newcastle take the lead as Smith converts his own try.
Knights 16, Panthers 14 with 18 minutes to go
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
