Brief
Knights halfback Sandon Smith feels pressure ahead of NRL Grand Final
Smith, the newly‑promoted halfback, said the iconic jersey and former great Andrew Johns loom large before the final against the Sydney Roosters.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Newcastle Knights halfback Sandon Smith said the weight of the club’s No 7 jersey – famously worn by Andrew Johns – is on his mind as the team prepares for the NRL Grand Final against the Sydney Roosters, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
What happened
Smith spoke at a media session at Knights headquarters on Tuesday, 29 September, describing the pressure of stepping into a role earmarked for injured teammate Dylan Brown. He noted the Knights’ rise from wooden‑spooners last season to a Grand Final appearance.
What the reports add
The article details Smith’s journey from a backup at the Roosters, where he was displaced by Daly Cherry‑Evans and other playmakers, to becoming a key figure in Newcastle’s resurgence. It also mentions a brief encounter with Andrew Johns during a training session earlier in the finals.
What was said
“People have spoken about Joey Johns today, and I feel like I shouldn’t even be mentioned in the same sentence as him at this time,” Smith told the Herald.
“He is the best that has ever played this game, and he’s a huge inspiration for myself, this squad, and this town as a whole … I try not to think about it.”
“The motivation is to win a grand final for the Newcastle Knights. You don’t need any more motivation than that.”
Key facts
- Sandon Smith is the Knights' halfback for the Grand Final (smh.com.au)
- He replaced injured teammate Dylan Brown in the No 7 jersey (smh.com.au)
- Smith previously played for the Sydney Roosters before joining Newcastle (smh.com.au)
- The Knights will face the Sydney Roosters in the Grand Final on Sunday (smh.com.au)
Sources
- [1] smh.com.au — originally reported as “NRL Grand Final 2026: Newcastle Knights halfback Sandon Smith follows in the footsteps of Andrew Johns against former team Sydney Roosters”
