Roosters claw back first half deficit to claim premiership

• LISTEN LIVE TO SEN LEAGUE'S CALL FROM 12pm
• Redcliffe demolishes Penrith to claim NRL State Championship
• Sydney Roosters complete perfect season with NRLW GF win
• Sydney Roosters are your 2026 NRL Premiers with a 19-18 win
• All times in AEDT

And then there were two.

After 212 games and seven months of incredible rugby league, we have reached the Grand Final with Newcastle and Sydney left standing.

The Knights have proven to be the NRL's Cinderella story as they seek to be the first team since the Western Suburbs in 1934 to go from wooden spooners to premiers and cap off Justin Holbrook's incredible first season as coach of the club.

On the other hand, the Roosters are seeking to finish Daly Cherry-Evans' NRL career on a high by winning a premiership in his first and only season with the Tricolours after 15 years of service with Manly.

Coach Trent Robinson is also seeking to join the likes of Tim Sheens, Ivan Cleary and Clive Churchill and win his fourth premiership as coach.

Follow all the big moments from Accor Stadium with SEN.com.au's live blog.

Clive Churchill Medallist named

James Tedesco is your 2026 Clive Churchill Medallist.

It was some showing by the Roosters fullback, who ran for 385 metres alongside 14 tackle breaks and a try assist.

It is yet another accolade to add to Tedesco's glittering CV.

FULL TIME

The Sydney Roosters are your 2026 Premiers with Daly Cherry-Evans holding the ball as the siren goes in his final NRL game.

They just held on from a Knights side who almost claimed another upset.

But the class of the Tricolours was simply insurmountable, with their stars rising up to the challenge in the second half.

In particular, James Tedesco and Mark Nawaqanitawase played a huge role in getting the job done.

It is now the second year that the same club has won both the NRL and NRLW Premiership.

You have to feel for the Knights fans who look distraught. But they should hold their heads high for what was an outstanding effort all season.

Can Newcastle get a score?

The Roosters are trying to waste as much clock as they can now, but Newcastle has one more set.

The ball is turned over, and the Roosters get the ball. Sydney are Premiers.

Sydney 19-18 Newcastle (after 78 minutes)

Last roll of the dice for the Knights

They must score to keep their chances alive...and they do.

Greg Marzhew scores a crucial try on the final tackle. Anybody's game now.

Sandon Smith nails the conversion to bring it within a point.

Sydney 19-18 Newcastle (after 77 minutes)

Knights’ defence comes to the rescue

That could have been the ball game.

With Lindsay Collins storming towards the in-goal area, he is held up.

But with the Roosters going back to their 10, they make the most of the new set as they once again target Greg Marzhew on the right side with a high ball.

Mark Nawaqanitawase takes it and is stopped after offloading to Robert Toia. But it's deemed a dangerous tackle, and they hold possession again.

Sydney 19-12 Newcastle (after 72 minutes)

DCE gets Roosters on the verge of premiership success

Daly Cherry-Evans has put his stamp on the game to push Sydney beyond a six-point lead.

He slots a field goal from 20 metres right in front.

It's a bit of redemption for Cherry-Evans, who missed against Penrith during the qualifying final.

Sydney 19-12 Newcastle (after 70 minutes)

Attendance: 80,814

The fans have shown up in droves today with a packed Accor Stadium.

Sydney 18-12 Newcastle (after 65 minutes)

Roosters roll on with momentum

He's going out with a bang. Mark Nawaqanitawase has scored his second try of the Grand Final!

Sydney goes from left to right as they keep the play alive with a grubber kick from Daly Cherry-Evans hitting the goal post.

From there, James Tedesco picks it up and throws it wide and lets the cross-code star do his thing as he takes Greg Marzhew and Bradman Best with him.

Sam Walker misses for the first time tonight. The Knights are still one converted try away.

Sydney 18-12 Newcastle (after 60 minutes)

Former Rooster helps give Sydney the lead

The Roosters are lifting to the occasion.

Following a dangerous tackle from Sandon Smith, Sydney elect to take the penalty goal, with Sam Walker converting.

He's three from three, and Sydney are in the lead.

Hard to think that he suffered a syndesmosis injury in Round 26.

Sydney 14-12 Newcastle (after 55 minutes)

Smith ties it up

It's a tied game here at Accor Stadium with the Roosters using a Newcastle error to their advantage.

The play initially starts with a great stop by Dane Gagai and Sandon Smith, who make a try-saving tackle on Salesi Foketi.

But in their first tackle, Dom Young loses the ball courtesy of Spencer Leniu to give Sydney another set.

And the Roosters make the most of the field position with Billy Smith taking a couple of defenders with him into the in-goal area.

Sam Walker makes the sideline kick look far easier than it is.

Sydney 12-12 Newcastle (after 50 minutes)

Second half is underway

Can Newcastle hold their lead and perfect Grand Final record or can the Roosters come over the top?

Sydney 6-12 Newcastle (after 40 minutes)

Horo: The Roosters that need to lift

Justin Horo has named the Sydney players that need to improve.

“The Roosters' spine,” Horo said at half time.

“Reece Robson, Daly Cherry-Evans, Sam Walker, and James Tedesco, you've got 55% possession and have dominated field position, they only come up with six points.

“It's up to they're all marquee players. They've all been paid big money throughout their careers to come up with moments like this.

“They've got to be able to ice it here in the second half for the Roosters.”

HALF TIME

Sydney 6-12 Newcastle

40 minutes down. 40 minutes to go.

Both teams are well and truly in this one.

The Roosters certainly had more moments inside their own 20, but Newcastle has taken the chances given to them.

That's in large part to Kalyn Ponga, who has been the best player on the field so far with his defensive efforts and incredible 90-metre try.

Marky Mark gets his try

The bunker denied him the first time. But it wasn’t denying him the second time.

Mark Nawaqanitawase is officially on the scoreboard.

Robert Toia catches the ball from a kick over Greg Marzhew and manages to get the offload to Nawaqanitawase, but just falls short of him.

However, the winger is able to kick it forward past Newcastle’s defensive line and run on it with a diving effort.

Sam Walker nails the conversion. The Roosters get the score they probably earned from their strong start.

Sydney 6-12 Newcastle (after 37 minutes)

Oh captain, my captain!

He's put the Superman cap on, and he is delivering BIG TIME!

Kalyn Ponga picks up a loose ball after Mark Nawaqanitawase tried to knock the ball back to the Roosters on the final tackle and runs into acres of open field.

Daly Cherry-Evans pursued him but wasn't stopping him as he ran 90 metres for Newcastle's second try.

Smith converts from the sideline to double their lead. The Queensland fullback is firming as the early favourite for the Clive Churchill.

Sydney 0-12 Newcastle (after 31 minutes)

A captain's play from Ponga

What a save by Kalyn Ponga!

In his last game of NRL, Mark Nawaqanitawase appeared to have caught a perfect Sam Walker kick in the corner and somehow placed the ball down in the right corner for his 21st try this season.

It was initially awarded, but the bunker has reviewed it and shown that Ponga placed enough pressure and contact to force a drop.

Newcastle holds their lead...just

Sydney 0-6 Newcastle (after 28 minutes)

Knights score first

Against the run of play, the Knights are on the scoreboard!

Francis Manuleleua has scored the first try of the Grand Final.

They make the most of a dangerous tackle penalty from Lindsay Collins on Mat Crocker to get field position in their own half.

From there, Newcastle works the ball towards the left, with the second rower running a different line and working the angle to burst past Siua Wong and stream through to score under the posts.

Sandon Smith kicks the conversion with ease.

Jimmy Smith: "This is perfect scenario for Newcastle."

Sydney 0-6 Newcastle (after 18 minutes)

Knights hold as Roosters press

The Roosters have had the majority of possessions, having completed all their sets through the first 12 and a half minutes.

But the Knights' defence, as it has done, has held up, with Dom Young's tackle on Billy Smith helping prevent a try.

Sydney 0-0 Newcastle (after 13 minutes)

We're underway at Accor

Both teams are working through their nerves, with Newcastle having the first true attacking set thanks to...Spidercam

Daly Cherry-Evans kicking the ball at the end of a tackle set makes contact with Channel Nine's aerial camera.

It's an interesting start, to say the least.

It's nearly GO TIME!

We're just moments away from kick-off, and the nerves are palpable.

The Knights will kick off towards the right of your TV/radio dial.

The Roosters run out to Accor

Sydney is officially on the field as well.

Both sides are now lining up for the national anthem and Welcome to Country.

The Knights are on the field

As the lower seed, Newcastle are the first side to make their way onto Accor Stadium.

They might be the 'away' team, but make no mistake, they have the majority of the support tonight.

NRL World pays tribute to Arrow with moving pre-game entertainment

After initially not planning to have any pre-game entertainment for the Grand Final, we’ve witnessed a moving tribute to Jai Arrow following his MND diagnosis.

Fans were encouraged by Ray Warren to get out of their chairs and make an arrow to honour the former Queensland representative who did a lap around the ground on a motorcy,cle alongside former Wallaby Nathan Charles who has recently been diagnosed with the same condition.

Amy Shark sang ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ before joining Dave Gleeson and The Screaming Jets on stage to do a duet of ‘What’s Up?’

Phil Jamieson then came out of the tunnel and performed a song synonymous with Rugby League, Tina Turner’s ‘The Best’.

A very touching couple of moments indeed.

The Knights and Roosters GF Records

This is Sydney's 31st Grand Final. They have won their last three appearances under Trent Robinson (2013, 2018 and 2019).

This is Newcastle's third ARL/NRL Grand Final. They are yet to lose a decider, having won titles in 1997 and 2001.

Horo: The Knight to watch out for in GF

Justin Horo has named Fletcher Sharpe as his player to watch for Newcastle.

The versatile outside back has been outstanding all year, scoring 13 tries and 11 try assists.

And with much of Sydney's focus likely to be on Kalyn Ponga, Sharpe could fall under the radar.

“I think he's the player,” Horo said.

“There's gonna be so much concentration put into Kalyn Ponga from the Sydney Roosters.

“And if there's a player that can pull you apart because fatigue starts to set in this game and there's a quick play of the ball or a late offload, it's been Fletcher Sharpe pretty much since he debuted for the Newcastle Knights.

“He's always that guy that pops up, doesn't matter whether he's playing fullback, centre, or five-eighth, like he is today. He's just always around the footy, and he's got the ability to really break the game open.”

Townsend: The Rooster to watch out for in GF

Meanwhile, Chad Townsend has cast his eye over the Roosters and believes that prop Naufahu Whyte will continue his strong form with another solid performance.

The 24-year-old has led the competition for post-contact metres with 2035.

“We know what their style of play is,” Townsend explained.

“They're coming through the front door between the scrum lines, and I've gotta pick out their enforcer in the middle, Naufahu Whyte.

“He's had an outstanding final series. He obviously got that rest at the back end of the Sharks game, and he repaid that in the prelim.

“With an awesome performance against the Do;phins last week, ran for over 200 metres, he'll play big minutes tonight, and that first stint, I'm expecting him to go bonkers.”

The Class of Champions are presented

As is tradition for an NRL Grand Final, many of its retiring stars have been brought out to the centre of Accor Stadium as fans pay tribute to their playing services.

Some of the names to hang up the playing boots this season,lude Adam Reynolds, Josh Papalii and Tui Kamikamica and SEN League's Moses Mbye.

They are now doing a lap of honour around the ground in a KIA Tasman.

Townsend: Hagan selection is a big call

Chad Townsend has discussed Newcastle's plans at hooker in the pre-game and where Diesel Hagan could feature in the match.

Having coached against him at the SG Ball level, the 2016 Premiership player noted he had great skill should he be used.

Townsend: “I thought it was, obviously, a big call.”

“What he was gonna do there, who he was gonna start.”

“To me, I thought Thomas Cant would start at hooker, and he'll take this thing out of the game in the first 20 (minutes).”

“He's done his best work at the lock forward in the middle, Thomas Cant, but very physical, can handle the opening exchanges of the game.”

“We know the Roosters will be coming between the front door or up through the front door.”

“Diesel Hagan, he's a great young kid, good young player, he's tough, he's got great skill.”

“I coached him in the against the SG ball this year.”

“He's had a fantastic season,, Diesel Hagan and he'll be there ready to go.

“But you just think that Harrison Graham will come on, maybe after 25 minutes, and that's where he's done his best work.”

Final teams confirmed

We're just an hour away from kick-off, with both sides having confirmed their sides.

The Roosters just have one change, with Benaiah Ioelu coming in for Connor Watson, which was known on Friday.

But Newcastle has officially confirmed that Diesel Hagan will make his first-grade debut off the bench due to Phoenix Crossland's suspension from the preliminary final.

Thomas Cant fills the starting hooker position.

Blake Austin's prediction for Kalyn Ponga

If Newcastle are to pull this fairytale story, then it's likely that their captain will play a large role in it.

And Blake Austin and Jimmy Smith believe he can.

Austin: “I've got a feeling Kalyn’s got something really special in him.”

“I think he's been good, but I don't think he's been at levels that he can get to yet.”

“I think it's a wonderful fast track for a Newcastle team that likes to move the ball around first 25 minutes is what they gotta get through, ain't it?”

Smith: “Statistically, he's been really good, but you just get the sense there is that special performance.

“If you want to look at it from a Roosters supporter's point of view, the fear is that Kalyn Ponga stamps himself as a Newcastle icon with a performance tonight in the Grand Final that is Reece Walsh-like.”

Maloney: The difference that's propelled Sydney into a Grand Final

For the last ten seasons, the Roosters have been the competition's benchmark, having consistently made finals each year.

But despite the consistent success, this year marks their first NRL Grand Final appearance since 2019.

However, having brought in Origin representatives Reece Robson and Daly Cherry-Evans to create one of the competition's best spines, former Rooster Jimmy Maloney believes those signings, in particular DCE, have made a big impact.

“They're always competitive, the Roosters,” Maloney told SEN’s Saturday League Kick-Off.

“They've got a good roster, and I think you look at their side at the moment, they've got probably 14 guys with representative experience, so that's always handy.

“But obviously Robbo's got them playing the right style of footy and they've gelled together.

“Obviously (Daly) Cherry-Evans going over there this year has probably helped Sammy Walker quite a bit. I think you've seen Sammy sort of develop in understanding the long game a little bit.

“You've seen him sort of kicking early out of yardage and stuff like that, which I think is a big influence from Cherry-Evans.”

Sydney Roosters claim NRLW Premiership

One down. One to go.

The Sydney Roosters have capped off an incredible season, having officially gone undefeated following their 30-6 win against Brisbane.

Millie Elliott and Corban Baxter have finished their NRLW careers on the ultimate high in what was a dominant performance.

Halfback Tarryn Aiken, who missed last year's Grand Final, claimed the Karyn Murphy Medal (best on ground) having scored one try alongside two try assists, having run for 110 metres.

Roosters fans will be hoping that success continues later in the night.

The Broncos get on the scoreboard...finally

With five minutes left in the game, there were fears that Brisbane would be held scoreless.

But Jesse Southwell has saved her side from having a doughnut next to their name.

With a pass from Chelsea Lenarduzzi off an offload, Southwell weaves her way through the line before passing to Upton, who gives it back, seeing her through and across the try line.

She makes the conversion in front of the sticks.

Sydney 30-6 Brisbane

Parker claims hat-trick

And that's the ball game.

If there were any doubts about Sydney winning this game, that is now over.

Brydie Parker has locked in her third try of the match with Kerri Johnson overcommitting to defend Isabelle Kelly's pass, which sees the winger beat Georgia Bartlett to score in the right corner.

The only miss from Sydney has been Jocelyn Kelleher's kicking, who has only converted one of her seven attempts.

Sydney 30-0 Brisbane

Brisbane lifts but held at bay

The Broncos have lifted their performance, but it appears to be too little, too late.

They have lifted their completion rate to 50% and have limited their errors at this stage.

But they haven't made any real threat to scoring, having barely been inside their own 20.

Should the margin remain the same, it would be the biggest defeat in an NRLW Grand Final.

Sydney 26-0 Brisbane

SEN League left speechless over Roosters' dominance

“I'm almost speechless to be perfectly honest,” Mary Konstantopoulos said during halftime.

“We deserve a competitive end to what is a wonderful season and this is when people are tuning into the women's game, and we want a real exhibition of what the women's game can be.

“And unfortunately this has not been the Broncos' best performance today.”

“This will be disappointing,” Brett Kimmorely added.

“If you save your worst performance of the year to the biggest performance you need in the game, most-watched game, grand final game.

“I'm sure there's people in that change room are just saying, let's show people what we can do the second half.

“Let's get out there and have a go, get 50/50 share of the ball.

“They've got strike, they've got power, they've got a great dummy half that's creative. They can score tries.

“What they can't do is have another half where they beat themselves and allow the Roosters to then absolutely smash them.”

Roosters continue to charge

Sydney is getting their revenge for last year's Grand Final defeat IN SPADES here.

Amber Hall has scored the side's sixth try of the game in the space of 30 minutes.

A lot of the work for that try came from Rima Butler, who made up nearly 10 post-contact metres in the tackle before they pushed it to the left for the prop to run over the top of Deleni Paitai and Jesse Southwell.

We're in for a record breaker if this continues in the second half.

Sydney 26-0 Brisbane

Sydney run amok

We're not even through the first half, but it might just be game over for the Broncos.

Brydie Parker has scored her second try as the Roosters once again get wide of the last defender on the right edge.

Brisbane has barely had the ball, with Sydney driving home every penalty they receive from the Broncos' countless errors.

The only thing keeping Scott Prince's side in this is Jocelyn Kelleher having only scored one conversion from five attempts.

Sydney 22-0 Brisbane

Roosters rampage continues

Sydney is running away with this one.

The Roosters run a set play from a scrum following a Kerri Johnson error, which sees Isabelle Kelly get through the Broncos defence.

Moments later, Jayme Fressard joins Kelly on the scoreboard with a try of her own thanks to a superb kick from Tarryn Aiken, who was taken out by Ali Brigginshaw after getting rid of it. This sees the veteran placed on report in her final game.

The Broncos are struggling. BIG TIME.

Sydney 18-0 Brisbane

Aiken makes up for lost time

She missed the Grand Final last year, but in 2026 Tarryn Aiken is making sure to put her imprint on this game.

Catching her own grubber kick thanks to a deflection, she bursts through the gap to score, with Jocelyn Kelleher scoring her first conversion for a double-digit lead.

The Broncos look very un-Brisbane-like at the moment, having only completed at 42% and made seven errors. It's all coming up Roosters at this stage.

Sydney 10-0 Brisbane

First try to the Roosters

Unlike last year, it's Sydney that gets on the scoreboard first...and in far quicker time.

But their first try scorer remains the same, with Brydie Parker scoring another Grand Final try on the right side of the field.

Jocelyn Kelleher misses the conversion, but they're on the board.

Sydney 4-0 Brisbane

We're moments away from the NRLW Grand Final

For the second year running, the Brisbane Broncos are taking on the Sydney Roosters.

Last year, the Tricolours came into the game undefeated as they do this year, only to lose their first game of 2025 in the big dance.

Both teams will also want to send out some of their club champions on a high.

Prop Millie Elliott and fullback Corban Baxter play their final game for Sydney while Brisbane's Ali Brigginshaw is also retiring following the conclusion of this match.

Path to the NRL Grand Final

So, how did each team get here?

Well, both teams had to go the long way to make it to the big stage, although under different circumstances.

For the Roosters, a loss to the Panthers in the first week forced them into needing their double chance.

But since that loss, they have been at their absolute best. A second-half domination against the Sharks saw them cruise into the final four before travelling up north to beat a Dolphins side not accustomed to the finals stage.

Sydney Roosters

• Qualifying Final (Lost to Penrith Panthers - 12-19)
• Semi Final (Win against Cronulla Sharks - 46-10)
• Preliminary Final (Win against The Dolphins - 36-20)

Coming into the finals in seventh place, not many had Newcastle progressing beyond the elimination final, let alone the Grand Final.

But having worn the underdog tag at every stage, they have proven us all wrong, having beaten South Sydney at Allianz, the Warriors at a packed-out Eden Park and the ladder-leading Panthers at Accor Stadium, having been down to 12 men for the majority of the match.

Newcastle Knights

• Elimination Final (Win against South Sydney Rabbitohs - 20-10)
• Semi Final (Win against New Zealand Warriors - 12-10)
• Preliminary Final (Win against Penrith Panthers - 22-14)

Dolphins go berserk in State Championship

What a showing by Redcliffe in the State Championship Game!

The QRL Champs have put 68 points on the Penrith Panthers in a record-breaking showing to win their first NRL State title.

It's the biggest margin of victory in the game's 12-year history as a curtain-raiser match on Grand Final day.

But the biggest winners outside of the Dolphins might just be the Wests Tigers.

New recruit Jake Averillo has been on a tear in the No. 6 jersey, having managed a hat-trick, two try assists, and three line breaks.

Certainly some good signs as he appears to be the likely Jarome Luai replacement at five-eighth.

Watson officially ruled out of Grand Final

He's played 193 games for both Newcastle and Sydney.

But Connor Watson will miss out on playing his first Grand Final as the two clubs he represented battle it out today.

The NSW representative suffered a Category One concussion during the Roosters' preliminary final win against the Dolphins, with the NRL's 11-day stand-down policy for Category One concussions.

The utility did go through a neurological assessment in a bid to be able to play but was unable to obtain clearance from the NRL and has decided to not seek an exemption.

This brings his playing time with the Tricolours to an end with Watson joining St. George Illawarra on a one-year deal before heading to PNG for their inaugural season in 2028.

Benaiah Ioelu takes his spot on the bench.