Grand final awaits: Panthers v Knights
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Can the Knights march into their first grand final since 2001 or will the powerhouse Panthers make it six trips to the big dance in the past seven seasons?
The rise of the Knights from wooden spooners in 2025 to the final four has been nothing short of remarkable and they will look to play giant killers again at Accor Stadium on Sunday.
The Panthers have been here and done it countless times in recent years but their last trip to a preliminary resulted in a heartbreaking loss to the Broncos and that's a memory they will be keen to erase.
Two proud clubs clashing in a final for the first time in front of a boisterous crowd at Accor Stadium - the venue they both have designs on returning to on October 4 but only one can prevail.
Follow all the NRL Telstra Premiership Preliminary Final action on NRL.com's live blog.
Panthers v Knights at Accor Stadium
Match: Panthers v Knights
Finals Week 3 -
home Team
Panthers
1st Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
8 min: The Knights strike first with a long-range special as Bradman Best beats Blaize Talagi and sets off on a 40-metre run before sending the ball back inside for Francis Leleuua to race away and score. Sandon Smith converts. Knights 6-0
4 min: Jack Cogger kicks again and is hit this time by Tyson Frizell but the tackle is ruled to be late. Penalty Panthers. Dylan Edwards is taking over the goalkicking with Nathan Cleary on the bench. Edwards pushes the kick wide and the ball goes dead. Knights go long with the dropout.
3 min: Jack Cogger is nailed by Mat Croker with a fair shot just as he got his kick away. The Knights make the catch and come away.
1 min: An early error from Tyson Frizell in the greasy conditions and the Panthers have a scrum 40m out from the Knights line.
Nathan stays inside: Nathan Cleary did not go out on the field for his team's warm-up, choosing to remain inside the dressing room. He will kick in general play when he gets onto the field but will not do the goalkicking.
Nathan off the bench: "Just take him out of the biggest impact at the start of the game," coach Ivan Cleary said. "Ultimately where we are really happy with how he has prepared."
Late Mail
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.
Numbers Game
- 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 Newcastle club record of 25 tries in a season.
- Panthers winger Brian To’o has scored nine tries in nine games against the Knights.
