Sydney Roosters Edge Newcastle Knights 19-18 to Claim 16th NRL Title

The Sydney Roosters are NRL champions again. The Roosters survived a furious late fightback from the Newcastle Knights to win the 2026 NRL Grand Final 19-18 at Stadium Australia on Sunday, sealing a 16th premiership and their first since 2019, according to Reuters.

Newcastle struck first and stunned the favourites, racing to a 12-0 lead through tries from Francis Manuleleua and captain Kalyn Ponga, whose length-of-the-field effort was one of the great Grand Final tries. The Roosters were denied a score when Mark Nawaqanitawase’s kick-chase try was ruled out, but the winger made amends minutes before halftime with a brilliant kick through for himself to cut the deficit.

The Roosters carried that momentum into the second half. Centre Billy Smith crashed over in the 47th minute to level the scores at 12-12, Sam Walker edged the Sydney side in front for the first time with a penalty, and Nawaqanitawase dived over in the right corner for his second try. Veteran five-eighth Daly Cherry-Evans, playing his final NRL game before moving to England’s Super League, slotted a field goal to stretch the lead to 19-12.

Newcastle refused to lie down. Winger Greg Marzhew crossed in the 77th minute and the conversion made it a one-point game with four minutes left, but the Roosters held on in front of a crowd of 80,814.

Inspirational captain James Tedesco was named the Clive Churchill Medal winner as best player of the Grand Final after running for a staggering 385 metres from 35 runs with 14 tackle breaks, NRL.com reported. It was the Roosters’ fourth premiership under long-serving coach Trent Robinson.

Sources:

• Reuters
• Sky Sports
• NRL.com