NRL

The Newcastle Knights have delivered one of the most remarkable preliminary finals in NRL history, defeating Penrith 22-14 to book a spot in the 2026 Grand Final against the Sydney Roosters.

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Trailing 14-6 at half-time and playing with 12 men for the entire second half after hooker Phoenix Crossland was sent off for a hip-drop tackle on Nathan Cleary, the Knights scored three tries to none in the second 40 minutes.

Incredibly they didn’t conceded a point in the second half despite being down a player.

Panthers centre Casey McLean went agonisingly close to a go-ahead try when held up with just 9 minutes to go, but it wasn’t to be as the Knights marched into their first grand final since 2001, just 12 months after finishing with the NRL wooden spoon.

MORE: Nathan Cleary suffers shocking ankle injury as Crossland SENT OFF for hip-drop

The Panthers played a direct and patient game for most of the second half, looking to fatigue the Knights who just kept fighting and probing and absorbing the pressure.

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Then the match turned on its head in the 58th minute when a quick tap saw a brilliant Sandon Smith tear through the line after catching Penrith with their backs turned following a Knights penalty to score under the posts as the rain poured down and give Newcastle a 16-14 lead.

“Sandon Smith has come up with a moment that just might win the Knights this preliminary final,” Cooper Cronk roared on Fox League.

“One of the cheekiest finals tries you’ve ever seen!” added Andrew Voss.

From that moment the Knights were inspired as they surged towards one of the most remarkable preliminary finals wins of all time, roared on by a mass of Newcastle fans that went into complete delirium when Sandon Smith scored a runaway try in the final minute to seal the win.

If today was anything to go by, next Sunday night’s season decider is going to be absolutely epic as the Knights play their first NRL grand final in 25 years.

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Surely all of Newcastle will be there?

Just wow.