LeagueNews.co | Jason Patrick
The nib Newcastle Knights suffered a heavy defeat, losing 48-12 to the Penrith Panthers on Friday night at McDonald Jones Stadium.
The reigning champions showcased their strength in adverse weather, scoring nine tries against the Knights' two.
As the season nears its conclusion, Newcastle aims to finish strong in the final month of 2025.
The match was witnessed by 20,197 members and supporters, celebrating Indigenous Round at the Knights' home ground.
Kicking off with a smoking ceremony and a Welcome to Country on Awabakal land, both teams were set for an engaging contest.
Penrith quickly took control, asserting dominance in the first half with impressive field position and scoreboard advantage.
They opened the account just two minutes into the match with a try from Lindsay Smith, quickly adding another in the fifth minute.