Game Summary
Minor Premiers the Penrith Panthers are the first team through to The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Grand Final on 26 September, after running away with a strong 44-20 win over Newcastle Knights in Saturday’s Major Semi-final at Leichhardt Oval.
The Panthers were quick to open the scoring in just four minutes when back-rower Zakauri Clarke pounced on Keahn Skipps’ grubber kick, but the Knights wasted little time in their response swinging right to centre Kyle McCarthy, who offloaded for Wilson De Courcey to weave through and score. Connor Votano converted to level the scores at 6-6.
Clarke edged Penrith back ahead in the 13th minute by steaming onto a Kurt Falls short ball on last tackle, then converted his own try to lead 12-6. Fullback Jaxen Edgar found the scoresheet shortly after when took advantage of a Knights mistake and got his hand on a loose ball to extend the margin to 16-6.
Newcastle later replied for a second time with quick hands to the right resulting in James Schiller crossing the try-line untouched, but the turn in momentum was short-lived when Falls again went short to Clarke metres out from the line. This time however, Clarke offloaded back to Falls to reach out and score on the stroke of half-time. Clarke added the two extra points to take a 22-10 lead into the sheds.
In the second half the Minor Premiers began to flex their muscle. At the 47-minute mark Falls launched a high kick from about 42 metres out, which saw winger Jirah Liddiard leap to the air and come down with possession before running away for a try in the corner. Clarke converted to improve Penrith’s advantage at 28-10.
Panthers extended their lead in the 53rd minute after finding more success by running on the last as Fall stepped off his left and back towards the short side to find Edgar, who shrugged off one defender, threw a dummy and snuck through for his second try.
Just past the hour mark Connor Votano gave the Knights some hope with a try of his own, linking up with De Courcey then supporting on the inside before converting to reduce the deficit to 28-16.
But Penrith regained control almost immediately with a burst through the middle from bench hooker Jenson Tuaoi, then the next play saw Nick Murphy score from a pass that deflected off an opposition hand. Minutes later it was Edgar who completed his hat-trick, with the NSW Cup Player of the Year backing up Liddiard after finding space down the right edge and scoring to bring the margin to 44-16.
Despite the result being beyond doubt in the remaining minutes, the Knights made the deficit more respectable when Schiller jumped for a Matt Hunter kick and landed for his second try, round off the 44-20 final score.
Talking Points
Second-rower Zakauri Clarke’s impact was noticeable from the outset, showing speed to pounce on a grubber for his first try before running a perfect line onto a Kurt Falls short ball for his second. He also landed six from eight conversion for the night.
The Knights showed glimpses of great attacking play despite the loss, particularly on the edges, which they can certainly use as a positive when they head to the Preliminary Final.
In his first appearance since claiming the 2026 Player of the Year award, Jaxen Edgar was everywhere at the back for Penrith and proved a constant threat for the opposite. He was rewarded with a hat-trick in a dominant 24-point win.
Key Moment
Starting the second half the Knights trailed by 12 points and needed to be next to score, but it was the Panthers extending the margin instead when Jirah Liddiard leapt to catch a high kick by Kurt Falls then raced away to score. With Zakauri Clarke’s conversion Penrith led 28-10, a margin that was ultimately too great for Newcastle to chase down.
What’s Next?
The Panthers will join their Jersey Flegg Cup counterparts as they head directly to NSWRL Grand Final Day on Saturday 26 September, while the Knights get their second chance in next week’s Preliminary Final against the Newtown Jets.
