Newcastle Knights face Panthers in preliminary final after wooden-spoon bounce
Newcastle beat Warriors 12-10 and faces Penrith this weekend in their first preliminary final since 2013.
Newcastle Knights are one win away from the grand final after beating the Warriors 12-10 at Eden Park on Sunday. Club legend Matty Johns backs the Knights to upset the favourites Panthers this weekend, saying the team's unique attacking style will give Penrith trouble.
The Knights were wooden spoons last year. This season marks just their sixth preliminary final since forming in 1988, with the last one in 2013.
No NRL team has gone from last place to champions in a single year; the Roosters came closest in 2010 but lost the grand final. The Panthers have dominated recent seasons, winning four straight premierships from 2021 to 2024 and claiming this year's minor premiership.
- 12-10 over Warriors
- Semi-final score
- 2013
- Last grand final
- Sixth
- Preliminary finals since 1988
- 3 wins in last 21
- Panthers vs Knights record
Why it mattersA Newcastle grand final appearance would end their 13-year drought since 2013 and be a rare feat for any team recovering from last place.
AustraliaNewcastle's push for a grand final spot keeps one of Australia's most storied NRL cities in the title hunt this weekend.
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