The moment this Knights finals rookie will hold onto forever

Last Friday's semifinal win over South Sydney was one of the great nights in Newcastle's recent history, and nobody had a better time of it than Jermaine McEwen.

In his first finals match, the 21-year-old had the game of his young life, inspiring the 20-10 upset victory that has the whole Hunter dreaming big ahead of Sunday's sudden-death clash with the Warriors.

McEwen scored the first double of his NRL career and ran for 187 metres, the best mark of his 37 first-grade matches, and set the tone for the Knights' right-edge defence with a physical brutality that would make a mafia kingpin proud.

On a night of many highlights, McEwen's personal favourite was his second try that helped Newcastle kick clear in the second half, as he backed up winger Dom Young to score right in front of the Knights faithful.

McEwen crawled the last few metres before slamming the ball down so hard it's a wonder they could dig it out of the turf.

"The only reason I slammed it was because my parents and my family were right in front of me. I just looked at them, and I was like, 'hell yeah,'" said McEwen.

"That was the best moment I have ever had in my footy career. That moment right there, that's something I will hold forever. So I am just super grateful and so happy."

McEwen's first try of the evening helped get things started as he again trailed Young after the Englishman claimed a bomb inside the first five minutes.

It brought Newcastle into the match and gave the team the start they needed en route to their first away finals win since 2013 and just their third since their last premiership 25 years ago.

Repeating the dose in Auckland is a tall order, but even before the win over Souths, McEwan and his teammates did not lack for belief.

"The Knights have given me everything, and I believe in the coach, Justin (Holbrook). He's allowed me to be the greatest version of myself on that field," said McEwen.

"But when I put the ball down and looked up and saw all the fans, I was (thinking) how happy I am to be a Knight. I'm just so grateful.

"We just wanted to go out there and play with energy and lift each other up."

McEwen spent much of the week thinking of how the Knights would shut down South Sydney's left edge, which is just about the most dangerous attacking weapon in the NRL.

Between them, Alex Johnston, Latrell Mitchell, Tallis Duncan and Cody Walker scored 63 tries in 2026, two more than Newcastle managed as an entire club last season.

But McEwen, Sandon Smith and Dane Gagai rose to the occasion magnificently, locking onto the superstars and refusing to let go, moving and defending as one.

Souths did end up scoring down the left through Jye Grey, but only after McEwen had left the field late on.

"When you have challenges, you get more prepared in it. You think about it more. When you're at home or training, you get flashbacks of what you have to do," said McEwen.

"When I have Cody Walker and their left edge — they do it the best in the whole comp. Cody Walker, he is just so good at that stuff.

"Us in D, we had a big job to do, and we just went out there and did it."

The journey through this year to Sunday's knockout final has not always been smooth for McEwen.

He was suspended for one match in June after being charged with low-range drink driving, an incident for which he apologised unreservedly and left him "deeply ashamed".

At the time, McEwen said he let his community down, and he's been trying to make amends ever since.

"Bro, at the end of the day we're all human and just because I play footy doesn't mean I'm special," said McEwen.

"In those circumstances, with the rollercoaster (of this year), that has taught me a lot in life.

"I feel like people can either shy away from it or own up to it. I wanted to show up for the fans and show them what I could do, and repay them in that way."

"Because I know how much the town speaks to this club and the hold this club has on the town. I wanted to repay them with good footy."

A sellout crowd is expected at Eden Park on Sunday, and a win would send Newcastle to just its second preliminary final in the last 25 years.

They'll again be underdogs against a Warriors side that beat them just three weeks ago, and the match marks the biggest game of McEwen and several of his teammates' careers.

But the same was true last Friday and by leaning on the experience of men like Gagai and prop Tyson Frizell, McEwen was inspired to make a difference, and all he wants is to do it all over again.

"These are experienced boys who have been in the game for a lot of years, and when you have them talk to you, it makes you more comfortable," said McEwen.

"You're not nervous. You're going out there to do a good job."