Newcastle Knights Clinch Final NRL Finals Spot With Thrilling Victory Over Dolphins

Newcastle have clinched the last NRL finals spot and crushed the Dolphins' dreams of a fairytale top-eight berth with a Kalyn Ponga-inspired 14-6 victory in the shootout for eighth spot.

The Knights spent only two weeks in the top eight prior to round 27, but Sunday's win in Newcastle locks up an elimination final date with North Queensland in Townsville next weekend.

The Dolphins' loss brings the curtain down on Wayne Bennett's two seasons as the 17th franchise's foundation coach and ends retiring captain Jesse Bromwich's 338-game career.

A maiden finals appearance looked officially out of reach for the Dolphins when Bromwich went to the sin bin in the final 15 minutes for sliding over to hit Ponga high on the ground.

Superstar fullback Ponga threw the last pass for both Knights tries in a gritty affair that went scoreless for nearly half an hour.

After struggling to find his rhythm with the ball early on, the Knights captain scooted out of dummy half to put lock Adam Elliott over with a short ball.

He doubled the Knights' 6-0 half-time lead by strolling almost half the width of the park before finding a space for Brodie Jones to streak over.

Ponga could have had two more try assists if the bunker had not intervened to find knock-ons in the lead-up to both would-be four-pointers.

A late shot from Felise Kaufusi left Ponga clutching at his right shoulder midway through the second half, but he finished the game after being cleared by a Knights trainer.

Ponga's rival fullback Trai Fuller was the Dolphins' best and had an early try denied on the left edge after it was ruled Knights forward Jones had been obstructed in backplay.

The mature-age rookie came within inches of reaching out for a try in the shadows of halftime but was stopped short amid an afternoon of strong goal-line defence from the Knights.

Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow finally opened the account with 10 minutes to play.

The result officially ends the Raiders' mathematical hopes of playing finals.

Canberra had been relying on a draw between the Dolphins and Knights to sneak into eighth spot, but will instead finish ninth ahead of the 10th-placed Dolphins.

Knights Clinch Finals Spot With Ponga Masterclass

Kalyn Ponga was the star of the show for the Knights, showcasing his brilliance with two try assists and a dominant performance in the face of adversity. His ability to create opportunities for his teammates and his resilience in overcoming a late shoulder injury proved vital in securing the victory. Ponga's performance was a testament to his leadership qualities and his unwavering commitment to the Knights.

Dolphins' Season Ends With Disappointment

The Dolphins, despite their valiant efforts, were unable to overcome the Knights and their quest for a maiden finals appearance ended with disappointment. Their season was marked by inconsistencies and a lack of composure in key moments. While they showed glimpses of brilliance, they were ultimately outplayed by a more experienced and resilient Knights side.

Looking Ahead to the Finals

The Knights now face a formidable challenge in their first finals appearance, with a date against the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville looming. Their performance against the Dolphins will have given them confidence, but they will need to raise their game even further to overcome the Cowboys. The Knights will be hoping to capitalize on the momentum of their victory and make a deep run in the finals.

A Farewell to Wayne Bennett and Jesse Bromwich

The Dolphins' loss marked the end of an era for the franchise, with Wayne Bennett departing as coach after two seasons. His contribution to the Dolphins has been significant, as he helped establish the team and build a foundation for future success. The Dolphins will also be saying farewell to retiring captain Jesse Bromwich, who leaves the game after a remarkable career spanning 338 matches. His leadership and dedication to the Dolphins will be sorely missed.