League: Storm rue mistakes in finals exit

The Melbourne Storm have been left to rue their exit from the NRL final series after going down to a brave and brilliant Newcastle Knights.

Last night's 18-16 semi-final defeat means Craig Bellamy's men have missed making the competition's preliminary finals for just the second time in seven years.

In 2010 they were banished from competing as punishment for breaching the salary cap.

The Knights will now challenge the Sydney Roosters on Saturday for the right to contest this year's grand final.

In the other prelim, Manly take on South Sydney on Friday night.