'Shut him down': Smith desperate for last laugh in DCE battle
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Newcastle halfback Sandon Smith has set his sights on spoiling Daly Cherry-Evans's fairytale finale as he looks to topple his former club in Sunday's NRL grand final.
Smith was the odd man out when the Roosters signed veteran halfback Daly Cherry-Evans for the 2026 season and made the move north in search of a fresh opportunity.
Game breaker: Sandon Smith's match-winning double
Cherry-Evans is eyeing his own fairytale finish in his final game in the NRL but Smith has other ideas for the veteran.
The playmaker has starred since joining the Knights and wrote his name into Newcastle folklore with two long-range tries to help his side stun the Panthers in Sunday's epic preliminary final.
While grateful for his time with the Roosters, the 23-year-old is desperate to lead the Knights to their first title since 2001 and end Cherry-Evans' dream of ending his career with a second premiership.
"Daly has been one of the best halfbacks over the past 15 years," Smith said. "I watched him this year and he's been awesome for the Roosters. I'll have to shut him down next week and need to do a job on him.
"They were transparent with me [about Cherry-Evans' arrival]. I've got no remorse with the club. I love the club and loved my time there but I'm a Knight now and I'm so happy to be part of this squad.
"We've got so much belief internally about what we can do and we're going to go after it next week."
Match: Roosters v Knights
Grand Final -
home Team
Roosters
4th Position
away Team
Knights
7th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
While many anticipated Smith would serve as a back-up half behind star recruit Dylan Brown and Fletcher Sharpe, the playmaker has featured in 24 games this season and played a key role in the Knights rise from the wooden spoon to the grand final.
He was thrust into the No.7 jumper after Brown tore his ACL in a Round 21 loss to the Roosters and hasn't looked back.
Newcastle effectively play with three playmakers, Smith the primary halfback with Fletcher Sharpe at five-eighth and fullback Kalyn Ponga playing a similar role Reece Walsh did in Brisbane's run to last year's premiership.
Panthers v Knights - Finals Week 3, 2026
Sunday's double was the latest in a string of sensational performances that have seen Smith become just the second No.7 to lead the Knights to an NRL grand final. The first? Andrew Johns.
"It's pretty good to be here but I don't think we're anywhere near that level yet," Smith said. "It's an honour to be in that mix.
"Sharpy is a freak of a player, and him plus Kalyn makes my job easier. I've got a clear role that I need to do that suits the team.
"It's a pleasure to play with both of them. Sharpy is just growing as a player and he's such a top dude off the field, too, so we get along."
The Knights have ridden a wave of emotion and fan support to the fand final, with the bulk of the 57,000 supporters in attendance on Sunday afternoon decked out in blue and red.
Excitement in Newcastle has reached fever pitch and another convoy of Sid Fogg's buses is set to make the two hour journey to Accor Stadium this weekend.
Sandon Smith catches them all napping
Sunday's win came despite the loss of Phoenix Crossland who was sent off in the 35th minute for a hip-drop tackle on Nathan Cleary.
Rookie hooker Harrison Graham stepped up as the 12-man Knights held on to stun the Panthers.
Crossland has been referred straight to the judiciary and is likely to miss the grand final however Smith backed Graham to deliver on the game's biggest stage.
"I'm gutted for Phoenix," Smith said. "I'm not sure what's going to happen next week, but I pray that he can be out there with us.
"Thomas has been unreal. Every time he gets on the park, honestly, he changes the game for us. He's been a little shining light for us that I don't think gets enough credit. Every time he gets on the park, he changes momentum or comes up with a play or something special. He's such a top player."
After 4 weeks of thrilling finals, it all comes down to this. One play can define a season. These are the moments that matter. Don't miss a second of the action with kick-off at 7.30pm Sunday night live on Nine, 9Now and Sky Sports NZ.
