NRL

Tensions were always going to be just as high as the stakes in Friday night’s NRL elimination final at Allianz Stadium.

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But the Rabbitohs-Knights clash ratcheted up multiple notches in the 12th minute when rep veterans Latrell Mitchell and Dane Gagai came together after an attacking South Sydney kick went dead in goal.

With the Knights leading 4-0, both players threw jabs at each other in the ensuing scuffle, but with neither truly connecting referee Ashley Klein was content to issue a warning to both captains along with a penalty to Newcastle.

The penalty did little to calm things with Gagai and Mitchell continuing to wage a ferocious battle in the centres with both players seeking each other out at every opportunity.

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“He’s red lining right now (Mitchell) and he only has eyes for Gagai,” Dan Ginnane said in commentary for Fox League with Mitchell looking on the edge of control with every tackle and touch of the ball.

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To compound Mitchell’s frustrations, Gagai scored from a deft Sandon Smith kick in the 26th minute to give the Knights a hard earned 10-0 lead.

Cody Walker in tears after devastating leg injury

Shortly after, things got even worse for the Rabbitohs when veteran playmaker Cody Walker hobbled from the field in tears with a serious leg injury in the 30th minute.

“Cody Walker is in big trouble here,” Ginnane said as the off contract 36-year-old crouched inconsolably on the sideline seemingly resigned to his fate.

The Rabbitohs struck back in the closing stages of the first half with a try to Campbell Graham to keep themselves in the sudden death contest heading into the second half trailing just 10-6.

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It’s heating up! 🔥 #NRLFinals pic.twitter.com/SB1Xs3F1C5

— NRL (@NRL) September 11, 2026