LeagueNews.co | Cooper McEnroe
In a hard-fought battle at McDonald Jones Stadium, the nib Newcastle Knights put in a gutsy effort against the Penrith Panthers but ultimately fell short, going down 26-18 in front of a packed crowd.
The Knights got off to a flying start, with rookie fullback Fletcher Sharpe scoring an electrifying try to give the team a 6-0 lead.
However, the Panthers fought back strongly and took a commanding 14-point lead into halftime with a late surge.
Despite the deficit, the Knights showed their fighting spirit with tries from Dylan Lucas and Bradman Best to get back into the game.
But the defending premiers showed their quality in the final stages and sealed the win.
After a well-deserved bye week, the Knights will be looking to bounce back when they face off against Parramatta in Round 17 at home.
It was a tough loss, but the Knights will be looking to regroup and come back stronger in their next game.