Newcastle Knights have virtually ended Canberra Raiders' NRL finals hopes with a gritty 30-24 victory at GIO Stadium, despite missing several key players.
The Knights were without centre Bradman Best and hooker Phoenix Crossland (both calf), joining halfback Dylan Brown and second-rower Dylan Lucas on the sidelines. Yet they produced a fearless performance to solidify their top-eight position, improving to a 13-8 record.
Frizell's milestone and injury concern
The win was particularly special as it marked Tyson Frizell's 300th NRL game, though the celebration was tempered when Frizell hobbled off with an apparent injury in the second half.
Coach Justin Holbrook's men are now within striking distance of the top four, completing a remarkable turnaround after finishing with the wooden spoon last season.
Raiders' finals hopes effectively over
For Canberra, the loss effectively ends their finals ambitions. The Raiders (9-12) can no longer secure a winning record and sit six points adrift of eighth-placed North Queensland. Unless a mathematical miracle occurs, they will become the first team since the Sydney Roosters in 2016 to miss the finals the year after claiming the minor premiership.
The match turned decisively in the final 10 minutes when Knights centre Dane Gagai was initially penalised near his own line, but the bunker overturned the decision after forward Corey Horsburgh struck Gagai. Horsburgh was sent to the sin bin, and minutes later birthday boy Dominic Young crossed for his second try in the right corner to seal the victory.
See-sawing contest
The Knights scored the first two tries, but Raiders winger Jed Stuart intercepted a looping Kalyn Ponga pass and ran 70 metres in the 17th minute, with Zac Hosking then sneaking over to level the contest. Newcastle hit back when Young tore down the right flank and gave the ball to a running Ponga.
Centre Simi Sasagi crossed twice while battling through a suspected arm injury either side of halftime to give the home team the lead. But Gagai capitalised on a blistering Young run, before Young completed the victory in the 78th minute.
