NRL

The Newcastle Knights have ended South Sydney’s season with a 20-10 elimination final win at Allianz Stadium.

Off the back of superb performances from Jermaine McEwen and Dane Gagai, last year’s wooden spooners were ferocious in defence all night and composed with the ball in a fine display of high pressure finals football.

Despite being worthy winners, a crucial moment in the second half is sure to be the subject of plenty of post-match debate from Bunnies fans.

With his side trailing 10-6 in the 57th minute, Rabbitohs superstar Latrell Mitchell threw a brilliant one-handed flick pass to Alex Johnson which led to a try from Jayden Sullivan which momentarily levelled the scores at 10-all.

MORE: ‘He’s red lining’: Latrell Mitchell, Dane Gagai in explosive NRL finals battle as Cody Walker injured

But just as Mitchell was preparing to take the conversion, Ashley Klein blew time off and moments later the try was controversially disallowed by the bunker which ruled a loose carry knock-on from Johnston in the build up, overruling Klein’s decision of a strip against Knights forward Jermaine McEwen.

Compounding the Rabbitohs’ considerable frustration just five minutes later McEwen crossed for his second try to push the Knights out to a 10-point margin, before Dom Young was awarded a controversial try a 67th minute after the front-on camera angle suggested he may have touched the sideline with his right toe.

A late try to Jye Gray closed the gap to 20-10 but that was as close as the scoreboard got.

Newcastle will now play the loser of Saturday’s qualifying final between the Warriors and Dolphins in Week 2.

NRL

Comments