The Newcastle Knights have produced one of the most remarkable finals victories in NRL history, overcoming the Penrith Panthers 22-14 despite playing more than half the match with 12 men.
Trailing 14-6 at halftime after Phoenix Crossland was sent off following the tackle that left Penrith star Nathan Cleary with a badly broken leg, Newcastle mounted an extraordinary second-half comeback, with Dominic Young narrowing the deficit before Sandon Smith caught the Panthers napping with a quick penalty tap and 50-metre dash to put the Knights ahead.
Newcastle then defended desperately, highlighted by Kalyn Ponga and Jermaine McEwen denying Casey McLean a try by centimetres, before Smith sealed the result with an 80-metre intercept try in the final minute. Penrith’s night was further soured by a suspected ruptured Achilles tendon suffered by Blaize Talagi.
After finishing last in 2025 and entering this year’s finals from seventh place, Newcastle have now eliminated the Warriors, Rabbitohs and Panthers on the road to reach their first grand final in 25 years, where they will meet the Sydney Roosters on Sunday night.
