The nib Newcastle Knights Jersey Flegg Cup side will take on the Penrith Panthers in this Sunday's Under 21's Grand Final at CommBank Stadium.
After a superb regular season and finals run, the team are one win away from premiership glory with only a strong Panthers outfit standing in their way.
The squad has been named while the team defeated the Panthers and minor premiers, the Sydney Roosters, en route to the big dance.
This is your Ultimate Guide to the nib Newcastle Knights Jersey Flegg Cup Grand Final against the Penrith Panthers.
nib NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS U21 V PENRITH PANTHERS U21
Date: Sunday, September 25, 2022
Kick-off: 1:00pm
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
GAME DAY INFORMATION
Gates open: 10:45am
NSW Presidents Cup Grand Final kick-off: 11am
NSW Cup Grand Final kick-off: 3pm
Tickets: Purchase here
The match will be live streamed on NSWRL TV and on NSWRL and Newcastle Knights Facebook page while stay tuned to the Knights social media channels and website for rolling coverage of the game.
HEAD-TO-HEAD IN 2022
Round 3: Penrith Panthers 6-24 Newcastle Knights
Round 12: Newcastle Knights 26-12 Penrith Panthers
Qualifying Semi-Final: Newcastle Knights 22-16 Penrith Panthers
TEAMS
Match: Knights v Panthers
Grand Final -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Panthers
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Knights is number 1 Fletcher SharpeFullback for Panthers is number 1 Liam Ison
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Winger for Knights is number 2 Luke PietznerWinger for Panthers is number 2 Cody Lawson
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Centre for Knights is number 3 Krystian MapapalangiCentre for Panthers is number 3 Samuel Lane
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Centre for Knights is number 4 James JohnsonCentre for Panthers is number 4 William Fakatoumafi
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Winger for Knights is number 21 Keanu Wainohu-KempWinger for Panthers is number 5 Daeon Amituanai
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kurt DonoghoeFive-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Niwhai Puru
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Mitch HendersonHalfback for Panthers is number 7 Isaiya Katoa
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 8 Max BradburyProp for Panthers is number 8 Mavrik Geyer
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Hooker for Knights is number 9 Riley JonesHooker for Panthers is number 9 Ryley Smith
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Callan BurgessProp for Panthers is number 10 Bradley Fearnley
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Brock Greacen2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Ativalu Lisati
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Thomas Cant2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Sunita Lotoaniu
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Lock for Knights is number 13 Jaron PurcellLock for Panthers is number 13 Hohepa Puru
Interchange
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Interchange for Knights is number 14 Noah NailagolivaInterchange for Panthers is number 14 Billy Scott
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Paul BryanInterchange for Panthers is number 15 Ilai Tuia
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Lachlan WilliamsInterchange for Panthers is number 16 Aston Warwick
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Interchange for Knights is number 17 Tevita ToloiInterchange for Panthers is number 17 John Sagaga
Reserves
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Replacement for Knights is number 18 Lachlan O'BRIENReplacement for Panthers is number 18 Keagan Russell-Smith
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
Knights Jersey Flegg Cup Head Coach Tony Gleeson named his squad for Sunday's Grand Final against the Panthers on Tuesday.
In the only change from the team that downed the Roosters in finals week two, Lachlan Williams comes onto the interchange with Myles Martin moving to the extended bench.
Forward and NRL debutant, Oryn Keeley, remains sidelined due to suspension.
Lachlan O'Brien, Jyris Glamuzina, Keanu Wainohu-Kemp and Harry Croker have been named on the extended bench.
Ones to watch include speedster Fletcher Sharpe at the back, another NRL debutant in Krystian Mapapalangi, prolific try-scorer James Johnson in the centres and skipper Tom Cant in the second row.
For the Panthers, Aston Warwick and Hohepa Puru come into the team with Harrison Hassett and Zac Lipowicz dropping out.
ROAD TO THE GRAND FINAL
The Knights Jersey Flegg Cup side had an impressive regular season finishing in second position on the ladder.
Highlight victories included a 40-10 win over the Victoria Thunderbolts, 22-14 win over minor premiers, the Roosters and 36-10 victory over the Rabbitohs in Round 9.
The side defeated Penrith 22-16 in the opening week of the finals before taking down the Roosters 24-22 to advance to the final game of the season.
Jersey Flegg Cup Highlights: Major Semi-Final
Meanwhile, the Panthers bounced back after the loss to the Knights downing the Dragons 36-26 and the Roosters 27-22 to book their spot in the Grand Final.
KEY MATCH-UP
Max Bradbury v Mavrik Geyer: It will be a massive battle in the middle of the park with Bradbury set to go up against Mavrik Geyer.
Bradbury has come through the ranks at the Knights having previously won player of the match as part of Harold Matthews Grand Final winning side in 2019 and representing NSW Under 19's earlier this year.
The powerful forward will provide plenty of go-forward and punch in the middle.
On the other side, Geyer, the son of former premiership winner Mark, will be one to watch having played for the first grade side in the pre-season trials and boasting size and speed.
