NRL finals updates: Knights end over two decades of agony to seal grand final spot
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WATCH: Joey puts win into words
WATCH: Sandon Smith’s final try
Fletcher Sharpe speaks on that winning feeling
Fletcher Sharpe was in disbelief as he spoke to James Bracey and Brad Fittler on 9news Sydney.
“I can’t believe it. 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,” he said.
As for how the Knights handled having Phoenix Crossland out, Sharpe said it was a simple message.
“We just came together as a group and said no one is coming to help us, it’s us out there on the field so we’re 40 minutes away from a grand final, and I’m just so proud of the group ... it’s the best feeling,” he said.
Sandon Smith’s winning moment
The Knights have a new hero as their No.7.
Sandon Smith celebrates. NRL Imagery
Can hear the emotion in Andrew Johns’ voice
Andrew Johns is struggling for words in the commentary box.
“What an effort, 12 men, it’s incredible,” he said on Nine.
“Look at the reaction of the players, all the crowd here, everyone back home, I can imagine what it means.”
Newcastle wins 22-14. What a boilover.
NEWCASTLE IS INTO THE GRAND FINAL
The Knights are back to the promised land!
For the first time since 2001 the Knights are into a decider!
Sandon Smith took an intercept and ran the length of the field after the Panthers just couldn’t find a killer blow when attacking. It was clear how much Nathan Cleary’s exit had.
Smith managed to out-run Brian To’o and it’s emotion for Kalyn Ponga, Justin Holbrook and every Knights player and fan.
Wow, what a match this is
The Knights are up and about!
Moses Leota hit the ball up and Kalyn Ponga smashed him, flattening the big prop.
Then the next play, Sandon Smith tackled Lindsay Smith who knocked the ball on in attacking territory.
The fatigue is clear because both sides keep coughing up the ball.
Talagi ruled out
It has been confirmed Blaize Talagi injured his Achilles.
Casey McLean held up!
Casey McLean was over the line and the Panthers celebrated like he scored.
But the Bunker replay shows he didn’t get it down. That’s only the first tackle though.
Blaize Talagi now in trouble
The young centre looks gone here.
He went down with a no-contact injury and that definitely looks like an Achilles injury.
Nathan Cleary shakes his head while Isaah Yeo and Dylan Edwards deliver a strong message to their side.
Talagi has to be helped off the field as Liam Martin heads back on to the field with Luke Garner likely to go to centre.
“That’s terrible news for Blaize Talagi,” Phil Gould said.
