The nib Newcastle Knights NRLW squad are off to their second-straight Grand Final!
In the do-or-die battle on Sunday afternoon, the side defeated the Brisbane Broncos 30-24 in front of a record breaking crowd in Newcastle.
After a dominant first half display, the Knights sealed their spot in the decider holding off a resurgent Broncos outfit.
HOW IT PLAYED OUT:
1st min - The match kicked off for the first NRLW Semi Final held in Newcastle after the Knights finished in pole position on the ladder.
The crowd figure came in at over 12,689, breaking the NRLW crowd record for a standalone women's fixture.
6th min - The Knights were on the board first when Olivia Higgins sensed an opportunity out of dummy-half.
The No.9 scooted out before powering her way over close to the line for the first points of the game.
Higgins burrows over
10th min - Off the back of strong intent in defence, the Knights continued to earn field position and were rewarded with their second try.
Brilliant work from Caitlan Johnston and Tamika Upton produced some ad-lib footy ending with Hannah Southwell crossing the stripe for her first ever try in the NRLW.
Southwell gets her first try of her NRLW career
18th min - The red and blue extended their lead when Caitlin Johnston won the race for the ball in the in-goal.
A well-weighted kick from Upton sat up for the Jillaroo forward to put the Knights ahead by 18 points after as many minutes.
Johnston wanted it more
28th min - Brisbane would hit back before half-time when Shenae Ciesiolka ran through for the Broncos first.
35th min - At half-time, the Knights led 18-4.
44th min - Brisbane were first to post points after the break with Chelsea Lenarduzzi crossing the try-line.
48th min - Newcastle regained the ascendancy with fullback Tamika Upton continuing to show her world-class ability.
The fullback jumped onto the short side and motored her way to the try-line for the Knights fourth.
Upton forces her way to the line
54th min - Tazmin Gray scored Brisbane's third try to reduce the deficit.
61st min - Brisbane reduced the margin to six points when Lauren Dam scored in the corner.
65th min - Tiana Davison put the red and blue back out to a 12 point margin after barging her way over.
In a day of firsts, the forward posted her first try in her NRLW career to send an uproar throughout the Newcastle crowd.
Davison scores her first NRLW try
68th min - Brisbane scored one more late try through Dam to set up a grandstand finish.
70th min - The Knights would hold onto their lead to march on to the Grand Final.
WHAT'S NEXT:
The Knights will play the Titans in the Grand Final next Sunday at Accor Stadium.
