The Newcastle Knights beat the Penrith Panthers 22-14 at Accor Stadium on Sunday to reach their first NRL Grand Final in 25 years. They will face the Sydney Roosters in next Sunday's decider, chasing the club's third premiership.

Newcastle hooker Phoenix Crossland was sent off just before half-time for a hip-drop tackle on Nathan Cleary. Cleary suffered a compound fracture of the ankle and was taken to hospital. The Knights trailed 14-6 at the break with only 12 men on the field.

But Newcastle scored three second-half tries, including a late interception by Sandon Smith, to complete an unlikely comeback. Penrith coach Ivan Cleary said post-match that Nathan watched the second half in the ambulance, which probably made him feel worse.

The win came before a crowd of 57,102. Newcastle, last year's wooden spoon winners, are the first team from outside the top four to reach the final since 2017. The grand final is next Sunday.