The Newcastle Knights have claimed victory in the opening game of the NRL finals, putting on an enormous effort to knock over the South Sydney Rabbitohs despite being significantly understrength.
In a low-scoring game, the Knights got away to a good start and never looked back, although there were plenty of nervy moments where it appeared the game was changing.
During the finals, Zero Tackle will rank every player in every game.
Here is how we saw the contest between Newcastle and South Sydney.
1. Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights) - A strong game with the ball in hand for Ponga. Made one error at a critical time in the second half, but was otherwise strong at both ends of the park.
2. Jermaine McEwen (Newcastle Knights) - The Knights second-rower was fantastic from start to finish, scoring two tries and being a regular threat in attack. Had some moments in defence, but none proved too costly.
3. Campbell Graham (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - The game threatened to get away from the Rabbitohs in the early going, and it just might off without the defence of Campbell Graham. Came up with some excellent plays, then scored a try.
4. Sandon Smith (Newcastle Knights) - Smith controlled the game nicely for the Knights, assisting a couple of tries and putting together a strong performance with his kicking game.
5. Keaon Koloamatangi (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - As the Rabbitohs threatened to turn the game around, plenty of it came on the back of the performance of Koloamatangi, who lit it up in the middle third for Wayne Bennett's side.
6. Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights) - Was involved in a bit of push and shove during the first half, but otherwise controlled Latrell Mitchell brilliantly throughout the contest.
7. Jack Wighton (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - Wighton, like Campbell Graham playing one spot wider on the park, was fantastic in defence. Came up with two try savers in the first half.
8. Greg Marzhew (Newcastle Knights) - Has built his season on his ability to get his side out of trouble with his running game, and did it again on Friday, running for more than 200 metres.
9. Bradman Best (Newcastle Knights) - Was solid at both ends of the park throughout the contest. Came up with a good early offload and threatened all night.
10. Phoenix Crossland (Newcastle Knights) - The New Zealand representative was a much-needed return for the Knights after missing the final regular season game. Tackled the lights out and had good servce out of dummy half.
11. David Fifita (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - Maybe not the best game he has played this season, but certainly not the worst. He threatened in attack, but was a step off the pace.
12. Dominic Young (Newcastle Knights - May have been overshadowed by Newcastle's other winger, but Young got in space a few times, ran the ball well and was solid throughout the contest.
13. Alex Johnston (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - Solid enough in attack and defence from Johnston, but didn't do enough to flip the script for his side before heading off with a knee injury.
14. Tallis Duncan (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - A star of the future, but a step off the pace in a well-beaten team on Friday evening. Ran the ball well though.
15. Tyson Frizell (Newcastle Knights) - Newcastle, down on troops, needed someone to stand up in the middle, and the experience of Frizell did just that. Super solid performance.
16. Francis Manuleleua (Newcastle Knights) - Came off the canvas to play this one in a rapid return from injury. Some strong runs, and maybe not his usual output, but the Knights are a better side with him on the park than not.
17. Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - Involved in an early game push and shove, and it seemed to tip him off his game. Had some nice moments in the second half, but not nearly enough.
18. Fletcher Sharpe (Newcastle Knights) - Sharpe was strong running the ball for the Knights at five-eighth, and ultimately played a great foil for Sandon Smith.
19. Cameron Murray (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - An uncharacteristic game from Murray. Dropped the ball a couple of times, and wasn't at all near his best.
20. Cody Hopwood (Newcastle Knights) - Really stood up with Jacob Saifiti missing to lead the pack alongside Tyson Frizell. Big future.
21. Lachlan Hubner (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - Was forced to play bigger minutes than usual with the Rabbitohs suffering injuries, and for the most part was up to it, but did make some errors.
22. Matt Dufty (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - Really struggled at both ends of the park. Had some nice moments and picked up plenty of metres, but that doesn't make a performance.
23. Harrison Graham (Newcastle Knights) - Added plenty of spark from dummy half when he got onto the park. Had one nice run.
24. Mat Croker (Newcastle Knights) - Croker has been very good this season, and while his numbers don't jump off the sheet in the finals opener, he still did a pretty solid job at both ends.
25. Brandon Smith (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - Plenty of energy for the Rabbitohs as he tried to help his side change the game, but some of it was misguided.
26. Jamie Humphreys (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - Tasked with replacing Cody Walker in the halves. Had some nice grubbers, but his impact was far too limited.
27. Jayden Sullivan (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - Kicking game was the big question for the Rabbitohs coming into the finals, and Sullivan failed to answer the doubters.
28. Lachlan Crouch (Newcastle Knights) - A solid effort off the bench for Crouch. Approached 100 metres and added plenty to the understrength middle.
29. Cody Walker (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - Walker struggled through the early going of the game, then was taken from the field half an hour in with a suspected calf injury.
30. Thomas Cant (Newcastle Knights) - Limited minutes. Had a couple of solid runs though.
31. Jye Gray (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - Why Gray wasn't starting is beyond me. Should have come on when Walker was injured and still didn't. Asked to change the game from unfamiliar positions in the second half and just couldn't.
32. Pasami Saulo (Newcastle Knights) - Limited minutes, but did a job when he was out there.
33. Tevita Tatola (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - Tatola was supposed to lead the Rabbitohs pack in to the finals alongside Koloamatangi, and instead finished with just 37 metres from 5 runs. Dreadful performance.
34. Sean Keppie (South Sydney Rabbitohs) - Limited minutes. Had just one run of the footy.
The Knights will clash with the loser of Saturday's match between the New Zealand Warriors and Dolphins next weekend.
