The Newtown Jets are off to the 2026 The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Grand Final after delivering a dominant 30-14 Preliminary Finals victory to end the Newcastle Knights finals campaign.
The Knights struck first through a Connor Votano penalty goal inside the opening 10 minutes, but the Jets hit back immediately when hooker Jayden Berrell delivered a clever short ball to prop Braden Uele, who crashed over near the posts. Kristian Dixon's conversion gave Newtown a 6-2 lead.
The Jets doubled their advantage when centre Joe Nadenic latched onto a deft Riley Pollard kick. Dixon's conversion stretched the margin to 12-2, and Newcastle's middle was being carved to pieces by the craft of Berrell and the surging runs of their big forwards.
Newcastle desperately needed a response and found one through their strike centre Wilson De Courcey, who beat his man and then fullback Taj Ford to score in the corner. Votano’s conversion from the touchline narrowed the gap to 12-8 at half-time, giving the Knights a lifeline.
The Jets started the second half strong. Sam Stonestreet streaked down the touchline to score within minutes of the restart, and when Jaxon Lavender pounced on a Pollard kick soon after, the Jets led 24-8 and looked certain finalists.
De Courcey grabbed his second try to give the Knights hope at 24-14, but the Jets' defence held firm through a relentless barrage of attacking sets. The Knights gave everything they had in the closing stages but could not breach the line again.
Kristian Dixon put the result beyond doubt with a try in the final minutes, completing a 30-14 victory.
Talking Points
The Jets' dominance through the ruck proved the difference. Berrell’s craft from dummy half and the impact of bench forwards gave Newtown a rolling momentum that Newcastle could never fully contain.
Wilson De Courcey was magnificent in defeat. The Broncos-bound centre scored twice and threatened every time he touched the ball, confirming why he is NRL-bound.
Taj Ford continued his remarkable finals campaign. After kicking two field goals to win last week, the fullback was dangerous throughout and set up Dixon's clincher.
The Knights' completion rate proved costly. After struggling at 72 per cent against Penrith the previous week, unforced errors again plagued Newcastle at crucial moments.
Key Moment
When Jaxon Lavender scored from a Pollard kick to make it 24-8 midway through the second half, the Jets had one foot in the Grand Final. Despite De Courcey's late double, the Jets' defensive wall held through a punishing final 10 minutes.
What's next?
The Newtown Jets face the Penrith Panthers in the 2026 The Knock-On Effect NSW Cup Grand Final at CommBank Stadium on Saturday (26 September) night.
Click here to purchase tickets for the 2026 NSWRL Grand Final Day.
