Roosters end Knights defence

The Roosters will next meet the Brisbane Broncos

Sydney Roosters 38-12 Newcastle Knights

Newcastle's Premiership defence came to an end on Sunday with defeat to the Sydney Roosters in the second elimination play-off of the weekend.

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The Roosters' 38-12 home win means they will meet the Brisbane Broncos for the right to play in this year's National Rugby League grand final.

  Preliminary Finals

Broncos v Roosters (28 Sep) Aussie Stadium

Warriors v Sharks (29 Sep) Telstra Stadium

The Knights opened the scoring with a try from second-rower Ben Kennedy in the fourth minute, but failed to add to their score in a dominant opening 40 minutes.

They were made to pay for their wastefulness 15 minutes before half-time when Roosters replacement Chad Robinson levelled the scores.

The Roosters eventually took the lead in the 59th minute after a match-turning 90m intercept from second-rower Craig Fitzgibbon.

The Knights were on the attack after stand-off Sean Rudder was stopped just short of the line in a desperate tackle by Anthony Minichiello.

Kurt Gidley then went close before Fitzgibbon intervened, pulling down a Danny Buderus pass and racing virtually the length of the field to change the momentum of the match.

From there the Knights unravelled, with Todd Byrne and Minichiello scoring doubles and Brett Mullins crossing for his 16th try this season.

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Saturday's game

Cronulla 40-24 St George-Illawarra

Cronulla are one win away from the NRL Grand Final after beating St George-Illawarra in their elimination play-off at Aussie Stadium.

The Sharks, who came from 12-6 down, will now meet minor premiers the New Zealand Warriors in next Sunday's preliminary final at Stadium Australia.

Cronulla, who ran in seven tries against the Dragons, may be without Test prop Jason Stevens and Matthew Johns for that match.

Stevens was placed on report for a high tackle on Nathan Tutt while Johns left the field after just 15 minutes with a shoulder injury.

Jason Hooper tackles Matt Bickerstaff

The sharks took the lead when full-back David Peachey touched down in the eighth minute.

But the Dragons hit back quickly with scores from Jason Ryles and Mark Gasnier.

The Sharks regrouped to take an 18-12 advantage into the break thanks to tries from second rower Phil Bailey and centre Paul Franze.

Then they took complete control when Matt Bickerstaff, Franze and winger Paul Mellor went over.

Winger Lee Hookey and Ryles struck to give St George a glimmer of hope only for 18-year-old Greg Bird to seal victory in the 76th minute.