‘Magic moment’ as Knights end 25-year grand final drought
Newcastle will play in the NRL grand final for the first time in 25 years after two epic Sandon Smith tries paved the way for a dramatic win over the Panthers.
Penrith were in the lead at the break despite the absence of their Nathan Cleary, who suffered a compound fracture in his ankle in the first half, but were stunned in the second half as the Knights claimed a 22-14 triumph, despite having a man down due to Phoenix Crossland’s send off for a hip-drop tackle.
The Knights finished bottom of the ladder in 2025. NRL Imagery
Smith’s first try, which put his side ahead, came after Penrith conceded a penalty for a high tackle on Fletcher Sharpe and the halfback moved quickly to take the tap, cruising past some would-be defenders and scoring under the posts.
Smith blasted down the middle and swerved between those who were walking back to get onside, with no player on alert to chase him down.
“While everyone was arguing about the penalty, Sandon said ‘see ya later’ and gone straight down the middle,” Phil Gould said in commentary on Nine.
As soon as Smith grounded the ball and began celebrating, Panthers players moved to referee Gerard Sutton to argue that a quick tap could not be taken. Gould and Newcastle great Andrew Johns shared that same view.
“Now I thought after foul play you couldn’t take a quick tap?” Gould said.
“On foul play, I’m sure you aren’t allowed a quick tap.”
“The try has been confirmed. Can the Bunker overrule it now?” Johns asked.
Nine caller Brenton Speed informed both league greats that Smith had asked referee Sutton if he was OK to play, receiving a head nod to do so.
“He saw the opportunity ... that is a magic moment,” Gould replied.
Ivan Cleary admitted post-game that he felt his team had enough time to be ready for that tap, but their efforts just “summed up” where the team’s spirit was.
To add salt to the wounds of conceding a try, Penrith were then left to adapt to the absence of Blaize Talagi after he went down untouched with an Achilles injury.
Casey McLean tried to punch his team back in front minutes later, but he was held up over the tryline by some desperate Knights defence.
Knights fans react after their team’s victory. Getty Images
Newcastle were put to the test with one minute left on the clock after Francis Manuleleua dropped the ball cold, but last year’s wooden spooners rallied and Smith pinched a perfect intercept to run the field and seal the shock result.
“What an effort. 12 men,” Johns, who was left speechless, said.
“The reaction of the players – I can imagine what it means to people back home.”
Like his brother, Matty Johns was brought to tears after seeing his old team win.
“It is unbelievable, I don’t know what to say,” he said, wiping away tears, on Fox League.
“I am just so happy for all the fans and all the people who have had to put up with a lot of shit for years to get back to where they are now.
“Nothing was straightforward today. There was the breakdown on the lines for fans (travelling), cars were backed up on the M1 ... but that didn’t stop them.
“When you run to a field like that and look up to see all those fans, you don’t leave the field defeated. If not for the fans, they don’t win today.”
Sharpe, Newcastle’s five-eighth was in disbelief of the result post-game on Nine.
“I can’t believe it,” he told Nine’s James Bracey and Brad Fittler.
“We’ve been up against it all year, today was no different, a man down for the whole second half, and I’m just so proud of the group ... our region back home, all the fans here, they deserve this.”
Penrith coach Cleary had the upmost respect for his opposition at full time.
“I want to pay full credit to the Knights and their supporters. It is a great day for their club,” he said. “We will march on.”
An overjoyed Justin Holbrook expressed his gratitude for the fans who overcame the obstacles thrown their way to make it and cheer on their team on Sunday.
“It feels unreal. I got emotional after the game just thinking about everything they were able to do. For the players to win a game like that, I couldn’t be happier,” he said during his post-game press conference.
“There were so many big efforts and big plays ... the boys have handled the big games three weeks in a row.
“The boys have been there all year ... the minute we went to Vegas, it was unreal. We’ve never looked back. I just can’t wait to play next week.”
The win means the Knights will face the Sydney Roosters in the grand final next Sunday, opening the door to defy the statistics that you can’t win the competition from outside the top four.
Either way, history will be created as the Roosters conceded 50 points in a regular season game – something no NRL premiers have ever faced.
