The nib Newcastle Knights have been defeated 66-10 by the Parramatta Eels in the final game of the 2025 season at Commbank Stadium.
In a disappointing finish to the year, the Knights were outplayed across the board by an Eels side who stamped their authority from the opening whistle.
How it played out:
Looking to finish the year on a high note, the Knights struggled to gain a foothold in the contest as the Eels crossed for a number of early tries.
Newcastle managed to reply through a gritty try from Jermaine McEwen in the 27th minute, offering a glimmer of hope for the travelling Knights faithful.
But Parramatta charged into halftime with a dominant 34–4 lead, powered by a hat-trick from Mitch Moses.
The loss of Jack Cogger and Fletcher Hunt to HIA's didn't help the Knights cause, as they desperately attempted to get back into the game after half time.
The second half was more of the same from the Eels, who piled on six additional tries, including another hat-trick - this time from Josh Addo-Carr - to seal a convincing win.
On a disappointing day, the Knights fans were rewarded with a glimpse into the future, as Cody Hopwood made his debut as Knight #364 off the bench.
Hopwood impressed with a number of nice touches in front of a healthy crowd in Parramatta.
What's next:
With the 2025 season now over, the Knights will head into the offseason looking to refresh and rebuild into an exciting new era in 2026.
Their next outing will be against the North Queensland Cowboys in Las Vegas, with tickets and travel packages on sale now.
