Knights outlast Rabbitohs 42-38 in frantic thriller as Latrell Mitchell’s late heroics undone by Walker’s shove

Key facts

• Newcastle Knights defeated South Sydney Rabbitohs 42-38 at McDonald Jones Stadium.
• Trey Mooney scored two tries, including the match-winner in the final minutes.
• Latrell Mitchell scored a try and kicked the sideline conversion to put Rabbitohs ahead for the first time with eight minutes left.
• Euan Aitken’s error handed Newcastle possession deep in Rabbitohs territory, leading to Mooney’s winning try.
• Cody Walker shoved celebrating Knights players after Mitchell was bundled into touch, escalating tensions.
• Jack Wighton left the field early with a serious shoulder injury.
• Newcastle had lost three consecutive matches before this win.
• South Sydney came off a dominant 48-6 victory over Melbourne Storm.

A thriller that boiled over

The Newcastle Knights have ambushed the South Sydney Rabbitohs in a high-scoring thriller, sealing a 42-38 win in front of a roaring McDonald Jones Stadium. The game went right down to the wire, with Latrell Mitchell almost single-handedly carrying the Rabbitohs to victory only to be bundled into touch before teammate Cody Walker shoved celebrating Knights players. That “escalated everything,” as the Bunker official put it, with former Rabbitoh Luke Keary saying that Walker “lost his head” on Fox League’s coverage.

Returning stars ignite Newcastle’s comeback

Newcastle came into the match on a three-game losing streak, having fallen heavily to the Tigers, Roosters and Penrith. But there was a quiet confidence in the Hunter with the likes of Kalyn Ponga, Greg Marzhew, Bradman Best, Dylan Lucas and Tyson Frizell all parachuted back into the line-up. It took just six minutes for that quiet confidence to become a stadium-wide roar as Trey Mooney carried Bronson Garlick, Sean Keppie and Cam Murray across the line for his fourth try of the season.

First-half dominance and Rabbitohs’ fightback

Poor discipline from South Sydney repeatedly handed the home side key field position, and the rejuvenated Knights’ outfit wouldn’t waste their chances. A routine shift left allowed Fletcher Sharpe to send Lucas through a yawning gap in the Bunnies’ defence to double their advantage. Despite Matt Dufty landing an exquisite try-saver on Sharpe, it was a matter of when not if Newcastle scored next, and it would be the returning Marzhew that would join the score sheet. Having lost Jack Wighton to what appeared to be a serious shoulder injury early on, Newcastle sent all their traffic down their left side, with a Best flick pass to Greg extending the lead to 18. The hulking winger netted a quickfire double, this time trampling Tallis Duncan on his way to the white line. South Sydney would strike back through an unlikely hero, Keppie crashing over for his first of the season, though it wouldn’t keep Newcastle down for long.

Mitchell’s late surge and the turning point

The Bunnies came back from a 24-point first-half deficit to seemingly have the game won in the final eight minutes when Latrell Mitchell steamrolled his way over for a try to level the scores, before kicking the sideline conversion to put the Rabbitohs ahead for the first time in the contest. But a horrible error from South Sydney back-rower Euan Aitken handed Newcastle the ball deep in Rabbitohs territory two minutes later. Trey Mooney bookended the match with a superb try to seal a win built off the back of the Knights' returning players.

Context and stakes for both sides

It had been a few very different weeks for the opposition sides. Newcastle lost big to the Tigers, Roosters and Penrith, while South Sydney came off arguably the best win in half a decade, a dominant 48-6 win over Melbourne at AAMI Park. The victory lifts Newcastle’s spirits after a slump, while the Rabbitohs will rue a missed opportunity after Mitchell’s brilliance nearly snatched the game. The fiery finish, with Walker’s shove, adds an extra layer of tension ahead of any potential rematch.

What comes next

Newcastle will look to build on this win as they integrate their returning stars, while South Sydney must address the discipline issues that cost them field position and ultimately the match. The NRL will likely review the post-match incident involving Cody Walker, which could result in sanctions. Both teams face crucial fixtures in the coming rounds as the season progresses.

The bottom line

• Newcastle’s 42-38 win was powered by returning players including Kalyn Ponga and Greg Marzhew, ending a three-game losing streak.
• Trey Mooney scored two tries, including the match-winner after a critical error by Rabbitohs’ Euan Aitken.
• Latrell Mitchell scored a try and conversion to briefly put Souths ahead, but was bundled into touch in the final play.
• Cody Walker’s shove on celebrating Knights players escalated tensions and may face NRL scrutiny.
• Jack Wighton’s early shoulder injury forced Newcastle to adjust their attack, focusing on the left edge.
• South Sydney’s discipline issues, including repeated penalties, handed Newcastle key field position.