Panthers v Knights: Cogger, Garner return; Same 19 for Holbrook
Can the Panthers progress to a sixth grand final in seven years or will Newcastle's fairytale run continue?
After finishing 2025 as wooden spooners, the Knights rose to seventh spot at the end of the regular season and have knocked off the Rabbitohs and Warriors to move into their first preliminary final since 2013.
The Knights' gutsy win in enemy territory at Eden Park last Sunday has given their fans reason to believe that a first premiership since 2001 can become a reality.
To make it to the big dance they will need to get past the greatest team of the modern era who are fresh off a week's rest and hell bent on making amends for last year's preliminary final defeat when Brisbane knocked them out.
The Panthers are the NRL's big-game specialists and they will enter the prelim as warm favourites with Nathan Cleary, Isaah Yeo and Dylan Edwards primed to lead them into another grand final.
The Knights and Panthers have met on 60 occasions since Newcastle entered the competition in 1988 but this will be their first ever finals clash.
Match: Panthers v Knights
Finals Week 3 -
home Team
Panthers
1st Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Panthers: Superstar playmaker Nathan Cleary has been named to play despite suffering a foot injury in the win over the Roosters in week one. Blaize Talagi retains his place at centre after a standout display in the qualifying final when he was a late call-up for Luke Garner (groin). Utility Jack Cogger returns from a three-game suspension and has been added to the bench along with Garner, so Jesse McLean and Freddy Lussick make way. Lindsay Smith shifts from lock to prop with Isaah Yeo returning to the starting side. Izack Tago is listed among the reserves as he chases a return from a knee injury.
Knights: Winning form is good form and coach Justin Holbrook goes with the same 19-man squad that stunned the Warriors at Eden Park to progress to their first preliminary final since 2013. Back-rower Dylan Lucas got through 14 minutes in his comeback from a fractured ankle and will be all the better for the run. He can expect to see a lot more game time off the bench on Sunday. Kyle McCarthy, Toby Winter and Elijah Salesa Leaumoana round out the 22.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan EdwardsFullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
-
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas JenkinsWinger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
-
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Blaize TalagiCentre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
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Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLeanCentre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
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Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'oWinger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
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Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack ColeFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
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Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan ClearyHalfback for Knights is number 7 Sandon Smith
Forwards
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Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses LeotaProp for Knights is number 8 Tyson Frizell
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Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch KennyHooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
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Prop for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay SmithProp for Knights is number 10 Cody Hopwood
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Jermaine McEwen
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2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Francis Manuleleua
-
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah YeoLock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker
Interchange
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Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Jack CoggerInterchange for Knights is number 14 Harrison Graham
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott SorensenInterchange for Knights is number 15 Lachlan Crouch
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam HenryInterchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami Saulo
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Billy PhillipsInterchange for Knights is number 17 Dylan Lucas
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 18 Luke GarnerInterchange for Knights is number 18 Fletcher Hunt
-
Interchange for Panthers is number 19 Billy ScottInterchange for Knights is number 19 Thomas Cant
Reserves
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Reserve for Panthers is number 20 Luron PateaReserve for Knights is number 20 Kyle McCarthy
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 21 Freddy LussickReserve for Knights is number 21 Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
-
Reserve for Panthers is number 22 Izack TagoReserve for Knights is number 22 Toby Winter
Panthers Ins
- Izack Tago
- Jack Cogger
- Luke Garner
- Luron Patea
Knights Ins
- Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
- Kyle McCarthy
- Toby Winter
Panthers Outs
- Jesse McLean
Knights Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Gerard Sutton
- Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
- Touch Judge: Daniel Luttringer
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Panthers have won nine of their last 10 games against the Knights.
- The Knights are chasing their first preliminary final win in 25 years.
- The Panthers have won five out of six preliminary finals since 2020.
- Winger Greg Marzhew requires one try to equal Dom Young's club record of 25 tries in a season.
- Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored nine tries in nine games against the Knights.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
