The Knights have won 10 games in a row and are into the second week of finals for the first time since 2013 after beating the Raiders in extra time.
Newcastle superstar Kalyn Ponga stood tall with the game on the line and booted the winning penalty goal with just one minute left in the game.
They’ll now face the Warriors in New Zealand next Saturday for a spot in the preliminary finals.
Read below for the Knights’ player ratings from the first week of finals.
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REPORT: Knights beat Raiders in extra time thriller as biting allegation rocks finals
Wighton on report for ALLEGED BITE | 00:46
1. KALYN PONGA – 9.5
Ponga ran for just 22 metres to his name at halftime but delivered when his side needed him in the second half with the game on the line. The star fullback scored the first try of the second half after backing up Kurt Mann and then set up Dom Young in the 55th minute. Ponga then put Young into space again two minutes later which led to the Knights’ fourth try. Dropped the ball on halfway in extra time which gifted Canberra field position but bounced back to boot the match-winning penalty goal. Finished with 110 metres from nine carries that produced six tackle busts, a linebreak and a try. Also slotted two sideline conversions.
‘I will never know’: NRL legend fires up as Raiders star defends himself after biting allegation
2. DOMINIC YOUNG – 9
The club’s single-season tries record holder was quiet until scoring in the 55th minute after collecting a Kalyn Ponga pass and stepping back inside. Young then put Dane Gagai over moments later before he scored the sealer in the 63rd minute. Ran for a massive 215 metres from 17 carries and had five tackle busts to complement his two tries.
3. DANE GAGAI – 6.5
An up-and-down season from the veteran centre. Gagai coughed up the ball close to the line that allowed Canberra to score their first try. He did the same thing in the 28th minute and when the Knights took an intercept a few plays later, Gagai looked certain to finish in the corner but knocked it on to make it three errors in the first half. He did score the Knights’ fourth try in the 58th minute after backing up Dom Young and made a try-saving tackle on Jack Wighton with the scores locked at 28-22. Ran for 195 metres from 19 carries that produced seven tackle busts.
4. BRADMAN BEST – 7.5
The young gun set up the opening try of the match with some fast hands for Greg Marzhew to score in the corner.
“Great hands from Bradman Best. Brilliant stuff,” Greg Alexander said on Fox League.
Conceded two early penalties in the first half but defended his heart out all night making 19 tackles and missing three. Ran for 104 metres from 12 carries.
5. GREG MARZHEW – 7.5
Scored the opener – his 21st try of the season – and ran for 204 metres from 19 carries that produced three tackle busts and an offload. But also made three errors and made just three tackles while missing two.
6. TYSON GAMBLE – 6.5
Put a kick out on the full just before halftime and in the second half accused Raiders star Jack Wighton of biting him in the 47th minute. Gamble did charge down a Jamal Fogarty field goal in extra time and also produced a crucial linebreak assist and try assist.
Wighton on report for ALLEGED BITE | 00:46
7. JACKSON HASTINGS – 6
Was ruled out at halftime due to a leg injury but did his job in the first half.
8. JACOB SAIFITI – 6.5
The only Knights forward to run for more than 35 metres in the first half, had 77 at the break but finished with just 96 from his nine carries that produced one tackle bust. Made 29 tackles and missed three.
9. PHOENIX CROSSLAND – 6.5
Quiet night but did his job.
10. LEO THOMPSON – 6
Ran for 72 metres from eight carries that produced three tackle busts. Made 28 tackles and missed two.
11. TYSON FRIZELL – 7.5
Charged down a Jamal Fogarty field goal that would have won Canberra the game at the death. Ran for 111 metres from 12 carries that produced two tackle busts and one offload.
12. LACHLAN FITZGIBBON – 6
Went about his work without standing out. Ran for 44 metres from eight carries and produced one linebreak assist. Made 28 tackles and missed two, while also conceded two penalties and made an error.
13. ADAM ELLIOTT – 7
Another tireless shift from the Knights lock who made 37 tackles – but missed seven – and ran for 83 metres from 11 carries.
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INTERCHANGE BENCH:
14. KURT MANN – 7
Made 20 tackles and ran for 40 metres off four carries while also making a linebreak and set up the first try for Kalyn Ponga.
15. DANIEL SAIFITI – 8
Ran for 109 metres from 10 carries and made 25 tackles while missing just one. Best player off the bench.
16. JACK HETHERINGTON – 6.5
Made 25 tackles and missed just one. Ran for 65 metres from eight carries.
17. MAT CROKER – 6
A poor play-the-ball in the 35th minute gifted Canberra the ball on halfway but still made 80 metres from 10 carries. Made 27 tackles and missed two and also made one error.
