NRL Finals – Preliminary Finals: Roosters and Knights Book Grand Final Berths

Edward Briggs

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.

Sydney Roosters 36 – 20 Dolphins

The Sydney Roosters are through to their 27th Premiership decider after overpowering the Dolphins 36-20 in a match that threatened to become a rout before a late Brisbane fightback.

Mark Nawaqanitawase was the standout, producing a brilliant attacking performance that included two tries and a 90-metre intercept in the opening stages. His first set the tone, with the Test winger picking off a pass and racing the length of the field before Sam Walker converted.

Victor Radley soon powered over for the Roosters’ second, before Daniel Tupou added another in the left corner from a Walker kick. The Dolphins finally hit back five minutes before half-time when Jamayne Isaako spectacularly leapt to take Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow’s cut-out pass, with the bunker awarding the try despite questions over whether the ball had brushed the sideline.

The Roosters nevertheless took a 16-6 lead into the break.

The Dolphins reduced the deficit almost immediately after half-time when Isaako scored his second, following a James Tedesco error from a Katoa bomb. But rather than allowing the momentum to swing, the Roosters responded with three tries in ten minutes.

Robert Toia muscled his way over after Nawaqanitawase regathered a shallow cross-field kick and produced a remarkable pass back inside. Lindsay Collins then powered through from close range before Radley was at the centre of a remarkable attacking passage.

Radley was involved three times in the move, eventually receiving the ball again after a series of offloads before producing a huge pass across the field to Nawaqanitawase. The winger finished the spectacular play by barging between two defenders.

Walker then added another try to put the Roosters firmly in control.

The Dolphins refused to surrender, with Kulikefu Finefeuiaki and Herbie Farnworth crossing in the final eight minutes to cut the margin to 10. But their revival had simply come too late, with the Roosters holding on to reach another Grand Final.

Penrith Panthers 14 – 22 Newcastle Knights

Newcastle are through to their first Grand Final in 25 years after producing an extraordinary 22-14 comeback against the Penrith Panthers, overcoming the loss of Phoenix Crossland to a first-half send-off.

The afternoon took a dramatic turn late in the opening half when Crossland was sent from the field following a hip-drop tackle that left Nathan Cleary with a serious ankle injury. Cleary, who had initially started on the bench, had been on the field for only around ten minutes before suffering the injury and being taken from Accor Stadium in a medicab.

Penrith nevertheless appeared to have the situation under control. Jack Cogger, deputising for Cleary, helped set up their opening try with an early grubber for Blaize Talagi, while Lindsay Smith also forced his way over as the Panthers established a 14-6 half-time lead.

Newcastle, however, refused to be overwhelmed.

Bradman Best broke through Talagi before sending Francis Manuleleua over for the Knights’ opening try, while Sandon Smith, Dane Gagai and Manuleleua combined early in the second half to put Dom Young over.

The Knights then completed the comeback with 20 minutes remaining. After Penrith conceded a high-tackle penalty, Smith quickly took the tap before the Panthers had reset their defensive line. He raced 50 metres to score, putting Newcastle in front 16-14.

From there, the Knights’ defence became the story of the match.

With only 12 men on the field, Newcastle repeatedly repelled Penrith’s attacking pressure. Matt Croker dived on a dangerous kick with Kalyn Ponga out of position, while Ponga himself produced a huge defensive hit on Moses Leota as the Panthers searched for an equaliser.

Then, with just a minute remaining, Smith sealed one of the most remarkable victories of the finals series. He intercepted a Liam Martin pass and sprinted 80 metres to score his second try and secure a 22-14 victory.

The result sends Newcastle into their first Grand Final in a quarter of a century, while the Roosters now await them in next Sunday’s decider.