As the dust settles on the 2026 NRL Grand Final and Newcastle reflects on a missed premiership opportunity, one debate refuses to disappear. Would the result have been different if Phoenix Crossland had played?
Edward Briggs The Sydney Roosters have claimed the 2026 NRL premiership after surviving a remarkable Newcastle Knights fightback to win 19-18 in one of the most courageous Grand Final performances imaginable. The Roosters controlled much of the opening half without turning their dominance into points, before Newcastle repeatedly found ways to stay alive. In the end, James Tedesco’s experience and a handful of crucial moments proved decisive, with the Roosters captain also tak
The two sides in the 2026 NRL Grand Final have been decided, with the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights emerging from two very different preliminary finals. The Roosters ended the Dolphins’ maiden finals campaign with a 36-20 win, while Newcastle produced a remarkable 22-14 comeback over Penrith despite playing the second half with 12 men.
The second week of the NRL finals produced two very different contests. The Sydney Roosters put the Cronulla Sharks to the sword to book their place in the preliminary finals, while Newcastle survived a frantic finish at Eden Park to eliminate the Warriors by just two points. The Roosters now await their preliminary final, while the seventh-placed Knights face Penrith next week.
The opening week of the 2026 NRL finals delivered tight contests, dramatic moments and a major upset. Newcastle and Cronulla kept their seasons alive, while South Sydney, Canberra and North Queensland bowed out.
The regular season has come to an end, and the final round delivered plenty to remember. Penrith secured the minor premiership with a dominant win over the Tigers, while South Sydney produced a statement victory against the Roosters. There were also tight finishes for the Warriors and Dolphins, a farewell victory for Josh Papalii, and a dramatic final win for Melbourne. With the finals now set to begin, here is how the final round unfolded.
The Warriors retained top spot on the ladder, South Sydney secured a long-awaited finals berth, while the Sharks’ top-four hopes were extinguished. At the other end of the table, Brisbane suffered another heavy defeat, while Manly and Parramatta produced emphatic wins.
Round 25 has thrown the NRL finals race into further chaos, with the Wests Tigers producing one of the biggest upsets of the season to beat the Roosters and open the door in the minor premiership race. Penrith took advantage with a gritty win over Melbourne, while the Warriors moved into first place, the Sharks strengthened their top-four hopes and Manly kept their own faint finals dream alive.
The Roosters moved to the top of the ladder after a tense win over Penrith, while the Warriors strengthened their top-two hopes by dismantling Brisbane for the second time this season. Newcastle also booked its finals place, while the Dolphins continued their charge towards the top four. At the other end, Manly’s finals hopes officially disappeared.
The Dolphins produced a remarkable comeback from 24-0 down to stun the Broncos, while the Warriors handed ladder leaders Penrith a significant blow. Melbourne kept their faint finals hopes alive, Newcastle strengthened their own top-eight push and the Dragons produced one of the upsets of the round. Here is the weekend’s action.
Round 22 produced one of the most remarkable scorelines of rugby league history, with the Sydney Roosters piling on 82 points against North Queensland, while the Warriors officially booked their place in the finals. Elsewhere, the Dolphins strengthened their top-four credentials, Canterbury claimed an important win over Melbourne, and Newcastle piled more misery on Brisbane.
Round 21 delivered another pivotal weekend in the race towards September, with the Panthers strengthening their grip on the minor premiership, South Sydney keeping their finals hopes alive, and Canberra producing one of the most dominant performances of the season. Elsewhere, the Roosters pinched a thriller in Newcastle, the Bulldogs stayed in the top-eight hunt, and the Sharks dismantled Manly at Brookvale.
This week saw the Brisbane Broncos producing one of the biggest upsets of the season, the Sydney Roosters strengthening their top-four credentials, and the New Zealand Warriors overcoming a controversial contest to cement their place near the top of the ladder. Elsewhere, Canberra held off a spirited South Sydney comeback, while the Dolphins and Titans enjoyed important victories.
Cronulla produced one of the biggest wins in recent club history, while Melbourne survived a tense finish and the Cowboys stole a golden-point thriller on the road. Here is the full weekend review.
Penrith snapped a brief slump behind another Tom Jenkins masterclass, Cronulla all but ended Brisbane’s premiership hopes, while Parramatta, Newcastle and St George Illawarra all claimed important victories in tightly contested matches.
Round 16 produced several important results as the race towards the finals intensified. South Sydney continued their resurgence with another convincing victory, Canterbury strengthened their top-eight credentials, Manly dismantled Melbourne, while the Dolphins snatched a dramatic last-gasp win over the Warriors.
Round 16 produced one of the biggest upsets of the season, a milestone victory in Melbourne, and several tight finishes that could have major implications for the finals race. The Gold Coast Titans handed Penrith just their second defeat of the year, while Cameron Munster celebrated his 250th NRL appearance in style as the Storm powered home against Canberra.
Round 15 opened with a pair of blowouts, a classic defensive struggle in Auckland, a tense finish in Parramatta and a fitting farewell at Leichhardt Oval. Here’s a wrap of the action so far.
Round 13 delivered a true thrashing, a stunning upset at Suncorp Stadium, and several crucial results in the race for finals positions. Penrith produced a club-record demolition of the Tigers, the Titans shocked Brisbane with a moment of brilliance from Keano Kini, and the Roosters continued their strong form with a clinical shutout in Canberra.
Round 12 produced a mix of statement victories, tense finishes and one of the stories of the season, with St George Illawarra finally breaking through for their first win of 2026. Elsewhere, Cronulla overcame adversity to hold off Manly, Newcastle continued its surge up the ladder, and Penrith reclaimed top spot after surviving a late Warriors fightback.
