LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
The Newcastle Knights have carved out their spot in the NRL finals with a hard-fought 14-6 triumph over the Dolphins on Sunday arvo.
It was a nail-biting battle for eighth place on the ladder, with the victors earning a showdown with the Cowboys in Townsville next week while the vanquished team set their sights on next season.
In a match brimming with playoff-like intensity, the Knights slowly wore down their opponents in front of a packed house at McDonald Jones Stadium.
Captain Kalyn Ponga was at the forefront, dishing out two crucial try assists to steer his squad into the postseason.
Next up, Newcastle will clash with North Queensland in a do-or-die final, following the Cowboys' impressive fifth-place finish after trouncing the Bulldogs the day before.
As for the Dolphins, their dreams of a debut finals appearance will have to wait for another season, as they gear up for a new era in 2025.