1997 Finals Week 1 vs Parramatta Eels:
Third Minor Qualifying Final
Newcastle 28 (A. MacDougall 2, A. Muir, A. Johns, B. Grogan tries; A. Johns 3, O. Craigie goals) defeated
Parramatta 20 (N. Barnes, J. Bell, I. Herron tries; I. Herron 4 goals) at Sydney Football Stadium, Sunday, September 7.
Scrums: Newcastle 9-7. Penalties: Parramatta 5-4.
Crowd: 17,849. Referee: Paul McBlane. Halftime: Parramatta 18-16.
Goalkickers: A. Johns (Newcastle) 3/4, Craigie (Newcastle) 1/1, Peden (Newcastle) 0/1, Herron (Parramatta) 4/5.
| Newcastle Knights: | Parramatta Eels: |
|---|---|
| 1. Robbie O'Davis | 1. Paul Carige |
| 2. Darren Albert | 2. Ian Herron |
| 3. Matthew Gidley | 3. Karl Lovell |
| 4. Owen Craigie | 4. Nathan Barnes |
| 5. Adam MacDougall | 5. Eparama Navale |
| 6. Matthew Johns | 6. Jason Bell |
| 7. Andrew Johns | 7. John Simon |
| 8. Tony Butterfield | 8. Dean Pay (c) |
| 9. Brett Clements | 9. Aaron Raper |
| 10. Paul Harragon (c) | 10. Justin Morgan |
| 11. Bill Peden | 11. Jason Smith |
| 12. Adam Muir | 12. Jarrod McCracken |
| 13. Marc Glanville | 13. Jim Dymock |
| Interchange: | Interchange: |
| Wayne Richards | Troy Campbell |
| Troy Fletcher | Brett Horsnell |
| Brett Grogan | Russell Wyer |
| Mark Hughes | Darren Pettet |