Cristiano Galvao

Newcastle 30, Parramatta 24, in front of 90,414 at Stadium Australia in 2001 – the first night grand final, and the last one the Knights have played.

The Knights hooker pleaded guilty at the NRL judiciary over the hip-drop tackle that broke Nathan Cleary’s leg. Four games: the grand final and all three of New Zealand’s World Cup pool matches.

The 2026 NRL grand final kicks off at 7:30pm AEDT on Sunday 4 October at Accor Stadium. Full day programme, the NRLW decider, and kick-off times in every state.

Penrith led 14-6 and had just lost Nathan Cleary to an ambulance. Newcastle had just lost a man to the send-off for the tackle that put him there – and won anyway, 22-14.

The Dolphins injured Sam Walker’s ankle on 29 August. Twenty-seven days later – a record-equalling return – he came back against them and scored the try that ended their season.

The NRL preliminary final team lists are in. Sam Walker is named against the Dolphins, the team he did his ankle against. Nathan Cleary plays on a foot he hurt winning Penrith their week off.

The Dolphins played their first NRL game in 2023. On Friday they host a preliminary final at Suncorp, one win from a grand final, in the club’s first-ever finals series.

Penrith beat Newcastle 44-12 in round 8. Five months later they meet again with a grand final spot on the line, and the Knights are not the same team.

Newcastle beat the Warriors 12-10 in a chaotic finish at Eden Park to reach a preliminary final for the first time since 2013. Both NRL preliminary finals are now set.