Kemp: The difference maker that's turned Sydney into a premiership contender

Denan Kemp has named the Rooster who has been the difference-maker as Sydney nears another premiership.

After plenty of near misses in recent years, the Roosters have made the Grand Final for the first time since 2019 courtesy of a 36-20 win against the Dolphins in the preliminary final.

Boasting a star-studded spine which was upgraded during the off-season through the signings of Reece Robson and Daly Cherry-Evans, Sydney is favoured to win the club’s 16th NSWRL/NRL premiership.

But Kemp believes Naufahu Whyte has helped elevate the club from a finals contender to a premiership contender.

The 24-year-old has been a star for the side, having averaged 78.3 post contact run metres (second in the competition) whilst leading his side for run metres (4392) in 2026 and shown he can be one of the best props in the NRL.

“This Roosters side has had a good roster for quite a while, but I think Nafahu Whyte is the difference,” Kemp said on SEN’s Saturday League Kick-Off.

“I genuinely believe that he has taken this team from a team that's underachieved to a team that can really go toe to toe with the best.

“Initially, it was Spencer Leniu was supposed to be the guy that came in. Lindsay Collins, we know what he does in big games, but every now and then he'll be a bit down, and they were kind of looking for someone to replace a Jared Warea-Hargreaves.

“And Nafahu Whyte, I'm sure internally they were aware, but he kind of shot out of nowhere.

“Teddy's been there for a while, yes, bringing DCE is really good for injury and when Sam Walker's not there, but Nafahu Whyte is a key difference for me.

“To see him roar up into contention to being a top-tier front rower, that's the real difference for me with the Roosters. I just think that he goes toe to toe and doesn't get enough praise for winning the battles that he does win.”

Whyte will look to win his first premiership on Sunday when the Roosters take on Newcastle at Accor Stadium.

SEN League will have live coverage of NRLW and the NRL Grand Final from 12pm AEDT across our radio network and on the SEN app with Crunch Time NRL.

Kick-off for both matches takes place at 4pm and 7:30pm, respectively.