Knights vs Panthers
Round 8 2026, Sunday 26 April 2026
Verdict: Panthers by 9
KnightsPanthers
Result: Panthers 44 defeated Knights 12 ✓ Tip correct
Match facts
- Kick-off
- Sun 26 Apr, 2:00pm AEST
- Venue
- McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
- Ladder going in
- Knights 8th, Panthers 1st
- Referee
- Gerard Sutton
- Crowd
- 23,986
- Weather
- Fine, good ground
How the experts tipped
Knights 0%100% Panthers
| Expert | Tip | Tip correct |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Baker | Panthers | ✓ |
| Chris Barrett | Panthers | ✓ |
| Zoe Samios | Panthers | ✓ |
| Zac Bailey | Panthers | ✓ |
| Frances Howe | Panthers | ✓ |
| Christian Nicolussi | Panthers | ✓ |
| Billie Eder | Panthers | ✓ |
| Adrian Proszenko | Panthers | ✓ |
| Dan Walsh | Panthers | ✓ |
| Andrew Johns | Panthers | ✓ |
| Emma Kemp | Panthers | ✓ |
| Neil Breen | Panthers | ✓ |
Going in
| Club | Ladder going in | Last five, oldest first | Model rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knights | 8th | LWWLL | -4 |
| Panthers | 1st | WWWLW | +9.7 |
Last five games
Knights
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Round 7 | at Roosters | L 24–38 |
| Round 6 | at Wests Tigers | L 22–42 |
| Round 5 | v Raiders | W 32–12 |
| Round 4 | at Bulldogs | W 24–16 |
| Round 3 | v Warriors | L 12–38 |
Panthers
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Round 7 | at Dolphins | W 23–22 |
| Round 6 | at Bulldogs | L 16–32 |
| Round 5 | v Storm | W 50–10 |
| Round 4 | v Eels | W 48–20 |
| Round 3 | at Roosters | W 40–4 |
Head to head since 2024
| Season | Round | Game | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Preliminary Finals | Panthers v Knights | 14–22 | Accor Stadium |
| 2025 | Round 23 | Knights v Panthers | 12–48 | McDonald Jones Stadium |
| 2025 | Round 12 | Panthers v Knights | 6–25 | Carrington Park |
| 2024 | Round 22 | Panthers v Knights | 22–14 | BlueBet Stadium |
| 2024 | Round 15 | Knights v Panthers | 18–26 | McDonald Jones Stadium |
Team lists
Knights
- 1 Fletcher Sharpe Fullback
- 2 Dominic Young Winger
- 3 Dane Gagai Centre
- 4 Fletcher Hunt Centre
- 5 James Schiller Winger
- 6 Sandon Smith Five-Eighth
- 7 Dylan Brown Halfback
- 8 Jacob Saifiti (c) Prop
- 9 Phoenix Crossland Hooker
- 10 Trey Mooney Interchange
- 11 Francis Manuleleua 2nd Row
- 12 Jermaine McEwen 2nd Row
- 13 Mat Croker Lock
- 14 Harrison Graham Interchange
- 15 Pasami Saulo Prop
- 16 Cody Hopwood Interchange
- 17 Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana Interchange
- 18 Asu Kepaoa Reserve
- 19 Kyle McCarthy Reserve
Coach: Justin Holbrook
Panthers
- 1 Dylan Edwards Fullback
- 2 Thomas Jenkins Winger
- 3 Paul Alamoti Centre
- 4 Casey McLean Centre
- 5 Brian To'o Winger
- 6 Blaize Talagi Five-Eighth
- 7 Nathan Cleary (c) Halfback
- 8 Moses Leota Prop
- 9 Freddy Lussick Hooker
- 10 Lindsay Smith Prop
- 11 Isaiah Papali'i 2nd Row
- 12 Luke Garner 2nd Row
- 13 Isaah Yeo (c) Lock
- 14 Jack Cogger Interchange
- 15 Scott Sorensen Interchange
- 16 Kalani Going Reserve
- 17 Billy Phillips Interchange
- 18 Izack Tago Interchange
- 19 Jack Cole Reserve
Coach: Ivan Cleary
Numbers as named by each club on nrl.com. Changes are measured against the club's previous game.
Why the model leaned this way
Going in, Knights rated -4 and Panthers +9.7 on our scale, a gap of 13.7 points, plus 4.5 points for playing at their own ground.
Scoring
- Knights
- Tries Phoenix Crossland 36', Dylan Brown 52'
- Goals 2/2
- Half-time 6
- Panthers
- Tries Dylan Edwards 12', Dylan Edwards 15', Dylan Edwards 20', Nathan Cleary 29', Freddy Lussick 48', Brian To'o 64', Brian To'o 68', Izack Tago 76'
- Goals 6/8
- Half-time 24
Draw, teams and scoring: nrl.com match centre. Expert tips: The Sydney Morning Herald panel.