Sydney Roosters snatch dramatic NRL grand final win over Newcastle Knights
The Sydney Roosters beat the Newcastle Knights 19-18 in the 2026 NRL grand final, with Daly Cherry-Evans kicking a decisive field goal in the 70th minute.
A classic decider in Sydney
The Sydney Roosters won the 2026 NRL (National Rugby League) grand final 19-18 against the Newcastle Knights on Sunday night at Accor Stadium, in front of 80,814 fans, according to NRL.com. The Knights raced to an early 12-0 lead, but the Roosters fought back to take control, only for a late Greg Marzhew try in the 77th minute to keep the contest alive until the final whistle.
The turning point came in the 70th minute, when halfback Daly Cherry-Evans slotted a field goal from 18 metres out, giving the Roosters a seven-point buffer that proved decisive. It was Cherry-Evans's final NRL game, as he is moving to the Super League next season. The win gave him his second premiership, 15 years after his first with the Manly Sea Eagles.
Tedesco named best on ground
Captain James Tedesco was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal as player of the match after running for a remarkable 385 metres across 35 carries and making 14 tackle breaks. Winger Mark Nawaqanitawase scored a double for the Roosters. For Newcastle, which finished last in the competition in 2025, reaching the grand final marked their first appearance in 25 years, but the fairytale run fell just short of a third premiership.
Background and celebrations
As ABC News notes, the Roosters are among the NRL's wealthiest and most successful clubs, having reached eight grand finals and won five in the past 25 years. Coach Trent Robinson picked up his fourth premiership with the club, matching some of the sport's greatest coaches. The outlet also points out that despite the club's resources, several players — including centres Rob Toia and Billy Smith — had battled serious injuries, including multiple torn ACLs, to take part in the final.
Celebrations followed both at the stadium and later at the club's home turf in Bondi Junction, where players climbed onto the rooftop with the trophy as hundreds of fans watched from the street below, Nine.com.au reports. The partying continued into Monday with a fan event at Moore Park, where club coaches also took to the stage.
