​​​​Tessa Lee, Sports journalist reporting on global leagues since 2021.​

The Newcastle Knights vs Canberra Raiders clash on Easter Sunday ended in a 32-12 win for Newcastle at McDonald Jones Stadium, as the Knights handed Canberra a fourth straight loss to start their 2026 NRL season. The match saw Newcastle overcome recent Easter struggles, while the result pushed them further into the top four and deepened concerns around the Raiders’ slow start.

Newcastle entered the game without key players Dylan Brown and Kalyn Ponga, yet delivered one of their most complete performances of the season. Canberra, last year’s minor premiers, again struggled to find consistency, particularly in key moments with the ball.

Early Momentum Swings Set the Tone

The opening exchanges reflected the pressure on both teams. Canberra Raiders halfback Ethan Sanders had a nervous start, sending his first kick out on the full inside the opening minute. Newcastle responded quickly through Greg Marzhew, whose early 60 metre run lifted the home crowd and signalled attacking intent.

Despite that early spark, it was Canberra who struck first. Ethan Strange broke through the defensive line near halfway and drew Fletcher Hunt before sending Simi Sasagi over under the posts. The try gave the Raiders a 6-0 lead and continued Sasagi’s scoring run against his former club.

From the stands, the momentum felt fragile, with both sides trading errors over the next period. Newcastle capitalised on a fortunate moment when a loose ball from Corey Horsburgh handed them field position. Sandon Smith quickly shifted play to the left, finding Bradman Best, who linked with Marzhew for the Knights’ opening try.

The Knights built on that pressure late in the half. A misjudged bomb from Canberra backs Xavier Savage and Kaeo Weekes fell into the hands of Fletcher Sharpe, allowing Newcastle to take a 10-6 lead into halftime.

Knights Take Control in Second Half

Newcastle took full advantage of their momentum after the break. Canberra winger Albert Hopoate Tamale’s error under a high ball handed the Knights early possession, and a professional foul soon after reduced the Raiders to 12 men.

With the overlap in place, Newcastle executed a simple attacking shift that sent Dom Young over in the corner. The play highlighted the Knights’ ability to exploit space out wide, especially against a disrupted defensive line.

Moments later, Dane Gagai produced one of the standout plays of the match. Stepping past Ethan Sanders, Gagai broke into open field before linking with Phoenix Crossland, who scored to extend the lead. According to official NRL match statistics, Newcastle’s efficiency in converting chances proved decisive, particularly during this period of sustained pressure.

The Knights continued to press, and a well placed chip kick from Fletcher Sharpe exposed Canberra’s backfield. Greg Marzhew collected the ball cleanly to score his second try, pushing the margin out to 26-6 and effectively putting the result beyond doubt.

Raiders Show Fight but Errors Prove Costly

To their credit, the Canberra Raiders showed brief resistance. Ethan Strange combined with Simi Sasagi in a clever short kick play, finishing off a well worked try to reduce the deficit. However, the comeback never fully materialised.

Newcastle’s defensive structure held firm, limiting Canberra’s ability to build sustained attacking sets. The Knights controlled field position and forced the Raiders into repeated handling errors, a pattern that has affected Canberra throughout the opening rounds of the season.

The final moments summed up the difference between the sides. Fletcher Hunt produced an athletic play to gather a high kick before evading defenders and setting up Dom Young for a long range try. The effort drew a strong reaction from the home crowd, who sensed a shift in confidence within the team.

Key Performances and Selection Questions

Dane Gagai was a standout performer for Newcastle Knights, finishing with 135 running metres, 12 tackle breaks, and involvement in multiple tries. His experience in the backline provided stability, especially with injuries affecting the squad.

Greg Marzhew’s double also continued his strong record against Canberra, while Fletcher Hunt impressed at fullback with close to 200 running metres. Sandon Smith controlled the game well, particularly with his kicking in the first half that set up crucial field position.

The result creates a selection challenge for coach Adam O’Brien ahead of Dylan Brown’s expected return. With Kalyn Ponga still sidelined, players like Fletcher Sharpe and Sandon Smith have strengthened their cases to remain in the starting side.

For Canberra, the spotlight will fall on Ethan Sanders after a difficult outing. The young halfback struggled with his kicking game and defensive reads, including a missed tackle on Gagai that led directly to a try. While his long term potential remains clear, this match highlighted the challenges of adapting to consistent NRL level pressure.

What the Result Means

The win marks a rare Easter Sunday success for Newcastle Knights and continues a strong start to their 2026 NRL campaign. It also represents a turnaround in home form, an area that has troubled the club in recent seasons.

For the Canberra Raiders, the 1-4 record raises early concerns. Historically, teams in similar positions have found it difficult to recover, although there is still time to respond with a long season ahead.

Newcastle will look to build on this momentum when they face the Wests Tigers next round, while Canberra prepares for a crucial clash against the South Sydney Rabbitohs.