{
  "id": 10338552,
  "title": "Sandon Smith leads Newcastle out of an Immortal shadow",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/sandon-smith-leads-newcastle-out-of-an-immortal-shadow",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-28T02:13:10.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09-28/sandon-smith-nrl-grand-final-newcastle-knights-andrew-johns/107201820"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sandon Smith has accomplished something rare by sharing an accolade with Andrew Johns, Newcastle's iconic halfback and club legend. Fresh off his double play in the Knights' 22-14 win against Penrith, Smith joins Johns as the only halfbacks in club history to play in a grand final. Smith acknowledges the comparison to Johns but emphasizes that it's wrong to hold him to the same standard, as Johns remains the ultimate legend and hero of the club and city. Johns' immense influence on the Knights' halfbacks since his retirement in 2007 has created an enormous shadow over them, making it difficult for any player to escape. Smith, however, aims to create his own legend by winning the grand final, proving that he doesn't need to be Johns to achieve greatness.",
  "summary": "Sandon Smith's two tries in the NRL preliminary final didn't just win Newcastle the game, it earned the Knights halfback a share of history alongside the club's greatest ever player.",
  "key_points": [
    "Sandon Smith joins Andrew Johns as only halfbacks in Newcastle s grand final history",
    "Smith acknowledges comparison to Johns but emphasizes not holding him to same standard",
    "Smith aims to create his own legend by winning the grand final"
  ],
  "editors_take": "By joining Andrew Johns as a halfback to play in a grand final, Sandon Smith has begun to carve out his own identity and escape the immense influence of the club legend.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News",
        "title": "Sandon Smith leads Newcastle out of an Immortal shadow",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/28/sandon-smith-leads-newcastle-out-of-an-immortal-shadow-10339763",
        "published": "2026-09-28T02:13:10.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}