Newcastle Knights

Newcastle's Crossland faces hip-drop hearing

Robbie Hamilton19:36, September 29, 202619:40, September 29, 2026

Knights hooker Phoenix Crossland said Nathan Cleary told him to "please stop apologising" when Crossland phoned the Panthers halfback on Monday afternoon. Cleary suffered a compound fracture to his lower...

Newcastle Knights

Crossland hearing clouds Newcastle Knights squad

LeagueNews.co16:42, September 29, 202616:49, September 29, 2026

Phoenix Crossland has been named at hooker for the Newcastle Knights' Grand Final, but faces an NRL judiciary hearing this evening. He was referred over a hip drop on Nathan...

Newcastle Knights

Newcastle tackle fuels NRL rules debate

Robbie Hamilton16:24, September 29, 202616:35, September 29, 2026

Parramatta coach Jason Ryles warned in Round 3 that changes to NRL rules could contribute to player fatigue and more hip-drop tackles. He made the comments after J'maine Hopgood suffered...

Newcastle Knights

Newcastle name Crossland amid judiciary uncertainty

Robbie Hamilton16:16, September 29, 202616:35, September 29, 2026

Connor Watson's availability for Sunday's NRL premiership decider remains uncertain after he failed a head-injury assessment last Friday night. The Roosters player is due to see an independent neurologist on...

Newcastle Knights

Newcastle's McEwen brings fearless edge

Robbie Hamilton14:44, September 29, 202614:45, September 29, 2026

Mat Croker says Newcastle's young players have reached Sunday's grand final by playing without the burden of past finals defeats. "All they know is being excited for a game, to...

Newcastle Knights

Newcastle's stunning turnaround after wooden spoon

Robbie Hamilton13:46, September 29, 202613:55, September 29, 2026

The Knights claimed the wooden spoon 12 months ago; now, after beating Penrith in Sunday's preliminary final, they are bound for the NRL grand final. It will be Newcastle's first...

Newcastle Knights

Newcastle's plea leaves Crossland facing ban

Robbie Hamilton13:04, September 29, 202613:20, September 29, 2026

Nathan Cleary has asked people to stop directing abuse at Phoenix Crossland, saying the tackle that injured him was accidental. "Please don't be one of those people writing comments like...

Newcastle Knights

Newcastle's Crossland admits hip-drop charge

LeagueNews.co13:00, September 29, 202613:20, September 29, 2026

Nathan Cleary suffered a compound ankle fracture in a hip-drop tackle during Newcastle's preliminary-final win over Penrith. Cleary underwent surgery and said Monday that Phoenix Crossland had apologised after contacting...

Newcastle Knights

Newcastle's Graham poised to replace Crossland

LeagueNews.co12:32, September 29, 202612:35, September 29, 2026

Harrison Graham was left out of Newcastle's travelling squad for the Las Vegas season opener, but is now expected to replace Phoenix Crossland at hooker in Sunday's NRL grand final...

Newcastle Knights Sydney Roosters

Gee to referee Newcastle-Roosters grand final

Robbie Hamilton12:06, September 29, 202612:10, September 29, 2026

Adam Gee last officiated a grand final in 2023, when the Panthers came back to defeat the Broncos. He has now been appointed referee for Sunday's Roosters and Knights decider,...

Newcastle Knights

Newcastle's Sharpe urged to run more

LeagueNews.co11:20, September 29, 202611:25, September 29, 2026

Newcastle face the Roosters for the 2026 title on Sunday at 7:30 pm. Underdog Newcastle may rely on Sharpe, whom Johns sees as the spark to bring the Provan-Summons trophy...

Newcastle Knights

Newcastle's Crossland case clouds grand final prospects

Robbie Hamilton10:22, September 29, 202610:25, September 29, 2026

Newcastle reached its first grand final in 25 years after winning the preliminary final with 12 players. Phoenix Crossland was sent off in the 36th minute for an illegal hip-drop...

Newcastle Knights

Cleary defends Newcastle's Crossland amid abuse

Robbie Hamilton8:54, September 29, 20268:55, September 29, 2026

Newcastle's 22-14 win over Penrith secured the Knights a grand final place, but Phoenix Crossland was sent off and referred directly to the judiciary. The tackle left Nathan Cleary with...

Newcastle Knights Sydney Roosters

Newcastle halfback eyes Roosters fairytale

Robbie Hamilton7:52, September 29, 20267:55, September 29, 2026

In the final minute against Penrith, Sandon Smith intercepted a pass and raced 90 metres to seal Newcastle's win. Earlier, his last-tackle run had cut the deficit to 14-10, and...

Newcastle Knights Sydney Roosters

Newcastle need Ponga to topple Roosters

Robbie Hamilton6:16, September 29, 20266:25, September 29, 2026

The Roosters enter Sunday's grand final as clear favourites, but former Newcastle player Matty Johns sees Kalyn Ponga as the key to a Knights upset. Johns has called Ponga the...

Newcastle Knights

Cleary defends Newcastle's Crossland amid abuse

Robbie Hamilton3:42, September 29, 20264:05, September 29, 2026

Newcastle's 22-14 win secured a grand final place, but hooker Phoenix Crossland was sent off for a hip-drop tackle on Nathan Cleary. Cleary suffered a compound fracture and dislocated ankle,...

Newcastle Knights

Newcastle's Smith targets Cherry-Evans fairytale

LeagueNews.co15:40, September 28, 202615:45, September 28, 2026

Newcastle's preliminary-final win was watched by 57,000 fans, most wearing the Knights' blue and red, as excitement built for the club's first grand final since 2001. Sandon Smith helped secure...

Newcastle Knights

Newcastle Knights chase historic turnaround

Robbie Hamilton15:22, September 28, 202615:25, September 28, 2026

The Western Suburbs Magpies went from last in 1933 to premiers in 1934, a turnaround no other first-grade side has matched in more than a century. Newcastle could make history...

Newcastle Knights

Newcastle's Crossland referred to judiciary

Robbie Hamilton13:42, September 28, 202613:55, September 28, 2026

Phoenix Crossland's suspension could open the door for Harrison Graham to start at hooker in Newcastle's grand final against the Sydney Roosters on Sunday. Graham has mainly been used from...

Newcastle Knights

Newcastle Knights Grand Final sells out

LeagueNews.co13:38, September 28, 202613:40, September 28, 2026

The Newcastle Knights and Sydney Roosters will meet in the men's NRL Grand Final at 7:30pm AEDT on Sunday, after the 2026 decider sold out. The NRL said all tickets...

Newcastle Knights

Newcastle hip-drop reignites NRL debate

Robbie Hamilton10:22, September 28, 202610:29, September 28, 2026

Newcastle beat the Sydney Roosters 22-14 despite Phoenix Crossland's dismissal in Sunday's preliminary final, securing a place in the grand final. Crossland was sent off after a hip-drop tackle caused...

Newcastle Knights

Newcastle's Crossland referred to judiciary

LeagueNews.co10:18, September 28, 202610:29, September 28, 2026

Cleary suffered a compound fracture to his left foot and was stretchered off for ambulance transfer to hospital. Crossland's direct judiciary referral Tuesday night put his availability for Newcastle's NRL...

Newcastle Knights

Newcastle hooker referred to NRL judiciary

Robbie Hamilton10:16, September 28, 202610:29, September 28, 2026

Penrith's Nathan Cleary was taken by ambulance from Accor Stadium after breaking his ankle in a first-half tackle during Sunday's preliminary final. Newcastle hooker Phoenix Crossland was dismissed for the...

Newcastle Knights

Newcastle send-off exposes NRL hip-drop confusion

Robbie Hamilton10:14, September 28, 202610:15, September 28, 2026

Nathan Cleary suffered a compound fracture of his left leg and was stretchered from Accor Stadium in severe pain, as his father Ivan watched from the coaching box and his...