The Sydney Roosters have won the 2026 NRL grand final by a single point, beating the Newcastle Knights 19-18 in a game that started with Knights magic but turned in the second half. Daly Cherry-Evans played his very last game, and his experience helped the Roosters hang on in a nail-biting finish on Sunday, 4 October.
Newcastle made the early running, no doubt boosted by a very vocal crown that felt like a Newcastle home game. Francis Manuleleua scored untouched in the 16th minute, then Kalyn Ponga raced 95 metres to score and make it 12-0.
The Roosters dominated possession and territory, but the Knights’ goal-line defence was superb. Dom Young made a try-saving tackle on Billy Smith in the seventh minute, and Fletcher Sharpe and Jermaine McEwen were among those who kept the Roosters out. The Roosters also had a try chalked off for a knock-on in the 26th minute.
They hit back before the break. Mark Nawaqanitawase scored in the corner after a grubber kick, and Sam Walker’s sideline kick made it 12-6 at half-time.
It was a stat that favoured the Knights. They had led 13 games at half-time this year and won 11 of them, according to Nine. The two they lost were both against the Roosters, though Ponga did not play in either.
The second half belonged to Sydney. Mr Smith crashed over in the corner in the 47th minute, and Mr Walker’s sideline kick levelled the scores at 12-12. Walker added a penalty goal, and Mr Nawaqanitawase scored his second try in the 60th minute to make it 18-12.
Cherry-Evans then kicked a field goal from 20 metres out in the 70th minute to put the Roosters seven points ahead.
The Knights refused to go quietly. Greg Marzhew scored with just over three minutes left after Ponga, Manuleleua, and Sharpe moved the ball wide. A sideline conversion made it a one-point game.
Newcastle had 60 seconds and needed a two-point field goal to win. James Tedesco took a bomb from Sandon Smith under enormous pressure. The Knights kicked off again, and Tedesco slid forward and gathered it once more, leaving the Roosters about 20 seconds to hold on.
They did, just.
Earlier in the day, the Roosters also won the NRLW grand final. They beat the Brisbane Broncos 30-6 to finish a perfect 13-0 season and take the double.
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