Knights outlast Rabbitohs 42-38 in NRL thriller after Latrell Mitchell’s late heroics and Cody Walker’s shove

Key facts

• Newcastle Knights defeated South Sydney Rabbitohs 42-38 at McDonald Jones Stadium in Round 9 of the 2026 NRL season.
• Latrell Mitchell scored a try and converted from the sideline to put the Rabbitohs ahead for the first time with eight minutes remaining.
• Euan Aitken’s error handed Newcastle possession deep in Rabbitohs territory, leading to Trey Mooney’s match-winning try.
• Cody Walker shoved celebrating Knights players after Mitchell was bundled into touch, prompting the Bunker official to say it 'escalated everything'.
• Newcastle had lost three consecutive games before this win, while South Sydney came off a 48-6 victory over Melbourne.
• Knights’ returning players included Kalyn Ponga, Greg Marzhew, Bradman Best, Dylan Lucas and Tyson Frizell.
• Greg Marzhew scored a quickfire double, including trampling Tallis Duncan, and Jack Wighton left early with a shoulder injury.

A shootout that swung on a single error and a sideline shove

The Newcastle Knights and South Sydney Rabbitohs produced an 80-point thriller at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday, with the Knights prevailing 42-38 in a game that turned on a late Rabbitohs error and a post-play fracas. The match, which saw Newcastle build a 24-point first-half lead only for South Sydney to storm back, ended with Rabbitohs playmaker Cody Walker shoving celebrating Knights players after Latrell Mitchell was bundled into touch. The Bunker official said the incident 'escalated everything,' and former Rabbitoh Luke Keary, commentating on Fox League, stated that Walker 'lost his head.'

Newcastle’s returning stars ignite a first-half blitz

The Knights entered the game on a three-match losing streak, having fallen to the Tigers, Roosters and Penrith, while the Rabbitohs were buoyed by a 48-6 demolition of Melbourne at AAMI Park. But Newcastle welcomed back Kalyn Ponga, Greg Marzhew, Bradman Best, Dylan Lucas and Tyson Frizell, and the rejuvenated lineup struck early. Trey Mooney opened the scoring in the sixth minute, carrying Bronson Garlick, Sean Keppie and Cam Murray over the line for his fourth try of the season. Fletcher Sharpe then sent Lucas through a gap in the Rabbitohs defence to double the lead, and Marzhew joined the scoreboard with a try from a Best flick pass. Marzhew added a second, trampling Tallis Duncan on his way to the line, and Newcastle led 18-0 before South Sydney replied through Keppie.

Latrell Mitchell nearly steals it, but Aitken’s error proves costly

South Sydney clawed back from a 24-point deficit, and with eight minutes remaining, Latrell Mitchell steamrolled over for a try to level the scores. He then kicked the sideline conversion to put the Rabbitohs ahead for the first time. But Rabbitohs back-rower Euan Aitken made a horrible error two minutes later, handing Newcastle the ball deep in South Sydney territory. Trey Mooney scored his second try of the match to seal the win, bookending the contest with a superb finish. The Rabbitohs had no time to respond, and the game ended with Walker’s shove adding a bitter aftertaste.

Injury toll mars both sides

Newcastle lost Jack Wighton early to what appeared to be a serious shoulder injury, forcing the Knights to channel all their attack down the left edge. For South Sydney, the loss was compounded by the absence of key players, though the team had been riding high after their dominant win over Melbourne. The injury list was a subplot in a weekend that also saw Wests Tigers lose Adam Doueihi and Samuela Fainu to shoulder injuries in their 52-10 defeat to Cronulla. Benji Marshall described his team’s second-half performance as 'unacceptable' and said they were 'unrecognisable.'

A win built on returning firepower and discipline

The Knights’ victory was underpinned by the impact of their returning stars and South Sydney’s poor discipline, which repeatedly handed Newcastle key field position. Newcastle’s left-edge attack, orchestrated by Best and Marzhew, proved unstoppable in the first half. The Rabbitohs, however, showed resilience to fight back, with Mitchell almost single-handedly carrying them to victory. The result leaves Newcastle with a much-needed win after a rough patch, while South Sydney will rue the error that cost them a remarkable comeback.

What comes next for both sides

The Knights will look to build on this performance as they aim to climb the NRL ladder, while the Rabbitohs must address the discipline issues that allowed Newcastle to build an early lead. The Walker incident may draw scrutiny from the NRL match review committee, potentially adding to South Sydney’s woes. For Newcastle, the return of their stars provides a template for future success, but the injury to Wighton is a concern. The round also saw Penrith edge Manly 18-16 in a tense contest, underscoring the competitiveness of the 2026 season.

The bottom line

• Newcastle’s 42-38 win over South Sydney was decided by a late Rabbitohs error and a sideline shove from Cody Walker.
• Latrell Mitchell scored a try and conversion to put South Sydney ahead with eight minutes left, but Euan Aitken’s turnover handed Newcastle the match-winning try.
• The Knights’ returning stars — Ponga, Marzhew, Best, Lucas and Frizell — transformed a three-game losing streak into a high-scoring victory.
• Jack Wighton left the field early with a shoulder injury, forcing Newcastle to rely on their left-edge attack.
• South Sydney’s comeback from a 24-point deficit was undone by a single mistake, highlighting the fine margins in NRL contests.
• The Walker incident may lead to disciplinary action, adding a post-match controversy to an already dramatic game.