Here we finally are, the 2026 NRL Grand Final, where the red, white and blue Sydney Roosters will battle it out with the red, white and slightly different blue Newcastle Knights for premiership glory. Can last year's wooden spooners extend the Justin Holbrook-inspired fairytale for one more week? Will the seasoned Roosters be too good?
Let's not forget that the Knights won their only two premierships as underdogs against the Sea Eagles in 1997 and Eels in 2001. Beware tippers, fans and experts alike; you should never tell a Novocastrian that they can't do something.
Good luck with your tips.
Sunday, October 4
Sydney Roosters vs. Newcastle Knights
Accor Stadium, 7:30pm (AEDT)
Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley Bench: 14. Connor Watson 15. Angus Crichton 16. Nat Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Hugo Savala 19. Cody Ramsey Reserves: 20. Benaiah Ioelu 21. Tommy Talau 22. Egan Butcher
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Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Cody Hopwood 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew Croker Bench: 14. Harrison Graham 15. Lachlan Crouch 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Dylan Lucas 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Thomas Cant Reserves: 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Diesel Hagan 22. Elijah Leaumoana
Officials
Referee: Adam Gee Touchies: Tyson Brough, Phil Henderson
Bunker: Chris Butler
Prediction: The Roosters came out against the Dolphins last weekend with a fire lit inside each and every player. They looked at the Dolphins' tendency to start slowly and doubled down on the early pressure and the ferocity of their defence. The Dolphins usually ride out the initial forward battering and points conceded, before storming home through their superior backline. Last weekend, the Roosters hit them with such sustained intensity that they had nothing left in the tank after the break. The Dolphins' back three were swarmed upon every time they tried to work their team into decent field position.
With the ball, the Roosters welcomed back Sam Walker, his steady hand and creativity adding just the ingredient they needed to pile on the points. James Tedesco contributed without playing the house down, centres Robert Toia and Billy Smith were hard to stop and even harder to get past and wingers Daniel Tupou and Mark Nawaqanitawase were at their brilliant best. But the game, as all the big ones are, was won in the forwards where Victor Radley was at his destructive best working well with Naufahu Whyte, Lindsay Collins, Salesi Foketi and Siua Wong. When rested, the effort didn't dip at all with Angus Crichton and Nat Butcher lined up to continue the dominance. They will be looking to play a similar game against the Knights in the big dance.
The Knights pulled off a miraculous victory over the Panthers after being reduced to 12 players, 35 minutes into the game. They have been playing with a never-say-die attitude all season, with a defence that never quits and an attack willing to throw the ball around at any point on the field. They have a very mobile team, a pack of no-frills forwards led by the inspirational Tyson Frizell who work their butts off for each other and enough flair and speed in the backs to cause headaches for a defence from all parts of the ground.
The Knights have a powerful set of wingers in Dom Young and Greg Marzhew, experience, explosive skill and guile in centres Dane Gagai and Bradman Best and an every-improving halves pairing in Fletcher Sharpe and Sandon Smith. At fullback is Kalyn Ponga, on his day one of the best players in the league, who comes off a brilliant performance against the Panthers.
They have been defying the naysayers all season and are playing with an unmatched level of confidence. The whole of the Hunter Valley is behind them and a victory here would mean so much to the entire region. The majority of neutral fans will also be cheering for an upset in this one and Accor Stadium will light up if they manage to knock over the cocky Roosters.
They will have to contain the Roosters forwards, nullify the attack of Sam Walker, Daly Cherry Evans and James Tedesco and have everything go their way on the day. I am going to assist the Knights by saying I can't see them winning this. I was wrong last week, Knights fans will be hoping that I am wrong once more.
Tip: Roosters by 8
PointsBet odds: Roosters $1.42 (-7.5 $1.90) Knights $2.85 (+7.5 $1.90)
All odds correct at time of publication. Check pointsbet.com.au for the latest.