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.
Kalyn Ponga and Dylan Lucas celebrate Newcastle’s unlikely victory.Getty Images
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