Newcastle will play in the NRL grand final for the first time in 25 years after two epic Sandon Smith tries paved the way for a dramatic win over the Panthers. Alyssa Bone and Lachlan Harper

An emotional Ivan Cleary explains his star son's right foot had been broken before he suffered a horror compound fracture to his left ankle.

The Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights are into the 2026 grand final after a dramatic weekend that saw Nathan Cleary’s season end in heartbreaking fashion.

The Penrith coach opens up on the agony of watching his son suffer a suspected compound fracture in their preliminary final exit. Liam O'Loughlin

The Newcastle Knights weren’t supposed to be here.

Matty Johns fights through tears to praise the Knights and the Newcastle fans after a gripping and gritty preliminary final win over Penrith.

Ivan Cleary says his players made him emotional after they comforted son Nathan following his horror broken leg in the loss to the Knights on Sunday.

The Newcastle Knights’ fairytale season continued on Sunday with a stunning 22-14 upset win over the Penrith Panthers on Sunday afternoon.

Penrith’s season is over after a dramatic preliminary final loss to the Knights.

Penrith and Newcastle were going hammer and tongs when Nathan Cleary's horror ankle injury turned the NRL preliminary final on its head.