In this week's Rookie Report, we take a look at the nib Newcastle Knights pathways teams in the Knock-On-Effect NSW Cup, Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership and Jersey Flegg Cup.
The two senior men's teams travelled down to the nation's capital over the weekend for Round 15 against the Raiders while the women's side played rivals, the Central Coast Roosters, on Monday night.
See how each team fared:
NSW Cup - Knights 26-30 Raiders
A late fightback from the Cup side couldn't get them over the line against the Canberra Raiders on Sunday.
Played before the NRL fixture in Canberra, the home side raced out to 18-4 half-time lead with Albert Hopoate scoring a first half hat-trick.
Lachlan Fitzgibbon was the sole scorer for the Knights in the opening period.
The Raiders were again fast out of the blocks to start the second half with Semi Valemei and Hopoate both getting over the line.
Needing to bridge the deficit, the Knights surged back with Liam Wiscombe scoring before two quick-fire tries from Tex Hoy and Brayden Musgrove ignited the game with 20 minutes to play.
Valemei scored another for Canberra nine minutes from time while Heath Gibbs provided a late spark posting a four-pointer with five to play.
Chasing the elusive last try, the Knights came up short to go down by four points.
The side remains in ninth spot, with five wins and nine losses.
NSW Women's Premiership - Knights 10-10 Roosters
The NSW Women's Premiership team played out a thrilling 10-all draw with the Central Coast Roosters on Monday night.
Played at Morry Breen Oval on the Central Coast, the match was a grind with the side fighting for every inch.
Tayla Predebon was sent to the sin-bin early and the Roosters capitalised.
The Roosters struck the first blow 18 minutes into the fixture and would hold onto their one-try advantage at half-time.
The Knights turned the tide in the second half gaining field position on the home team before Georgia Page barged her way over on the 50th minute mark.
Newcastle hit the lead when Anika Butler cut in off the wing and dived over the try-line.
Only four minutes later, Jayme Fressard produced a charge down and ran 60 metres to score for the Roosters, bringing the scores level.
The Knights fought hard to find the next try, but would share the points with the Roosters at the full-time siren.
Off the back of the result, the team is well placed to reach the finals sitting in third position with one round to play.
Jersey Flegg Cup - Knights 20-32 Raiders
The Jersey Flegg Cup side suffered a second loss on the bounce going down by 12 points to Canberra on Saturday.
Played in Belconnen, the Raiders jumped out of the blocks with two quick tries inside the first 10 minutes.
Lachlan O'Brien got the Knights on the board on the 11th minute mark.
The teams traded tries before the break with Fletcher Sharpe crossing the stripe, however Canberra would take a 10-point lead into the sheds.
The Raiders would post first points after the change of ends before a sin-binning gave the Knights an opportunity.
Newcastle took full advantage with Jyris Glamuzina and Luke Pietzner posting tries only six minutes apart to bring the scores to within six.
Heading into the final minutes, it was the Raiders who would come out on top scoring another try before time to secure the result.
The Knights still sit in third spot on the ladder with 9 wins and five losses.
