NRL 2026, Late Mail, Preliminary Finals, team updates, injuries, late changes, 90 minutes, 24 hours

NRL Late Mail: Preliminary Finals - Cogger starts, Cleary benched

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 27 Sep 2026, 03:42 PM

Panthers superstar Nathan Cleary has been shifted to the interchange bench for Sunday's preliminary final against the Knights.

Cleary has been battling a foot injury he suffered in week one of the finals and will be kept out of the early exchanges at Accor Stadium.

In his return from a three-game suspension, Jack Cogger comes into the starting side at halfback.

See all the late mail, official team news and updates for Week 3 of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series.

NRL Late Mail: Preliminary Finals

Panthers v Knights, Sunday 4.00pm at Accor Stadium

Finals Week 3 - Finals Week 3 - Sunday 27 Sep

Full Time

Panthers

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas Jenkins

Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Blaize Talagi

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o

Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack Cole

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
Halfback for Panthers is number 14 Jack Cogger

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Sandon Smith

Forwards

Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota

Prop for Knights is number 8 Tyson Frizell
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
Prop for Panthers is number 16 Liam Henry

Prop for Knights is number 10 Cody Hopwood
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Jermaine McEwen
2nd Row for Panthers is number 15 Scott Sorensen

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Francis Manuleleua
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker

Interchange

Interchange for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Harrison Graham
Interchange for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Lachlan Crouch
Interchange for Panthers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami Saulo
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Billy Phillips

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Dylan Lucas
Replacement for Panthers is number 18 Luke Garner
Reserve for Panthers is number 21 Freddy Lussick

Reserve for Knights is number 18 Fletcher Hunt
Reserve for Knights is number 19 Thomas Cant

Match Officials

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Touch Judge: Daniel Luttringer
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 9/27/2026 12:06:12 PM

Panthers: A huge call by coach Ivan Cleary on game day with Jack Cogger promoted to the starting side and Nathan Cleary coming off the bench. Liam Henry and Scott Sorensen will also start the game with Lindsay Smith and Isaiah Papali'i going to the bench. A couple of minor changes in Saturday's 24-hour update with Freddy Lussick coming onto the six-man bench in place of Billy Scott. Nathan Cleary has worked around the clock on rehab after suffering the injury in the win over the Roosters in week one. "He'll be ready," coach Ivan Cleary declared on Saturday morning. Cogger is back from a three-game suspension and straight into the hot seat in the starting side.

Knights: The Knights are 1-19 with no late changes. 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 has again been named on the bench, although a late call-up to the starting side could be on the cards. The Knights boast 92 games of finals experience compared to the Panthers' 233.