The Sydney Roosters will face the Newcastle Knights in the 2026 NRL Grand Final, with both sides taking vastly different paths to the decider.
The Roosters finished fourth and bounced back from an opening finals loss to Penrith with convincing wins over the Sharks and Dolphins. They also hold a dominant recent record against Newcastle, winning their last six meetings, and enter the final at full strength.
Newcastle finished seventh after collecting the wooden spoon in 2025 and have produced three consecutive finals upsets against the Rabbitohs, Warriors and Panthers.
Led by captain Kalyn Ponga, the Knights are attempting to become the first team in 92 years to go from wooden spooners to premiers the following season.
Key match-ups include Ponga against Roosters captain James Tedesco, Mark Nawaqanitawase against Dominic Young, and the battle between the playmakers.
The Roosters enter with greater grand final experience and recent dominance over Newcastle, while the Knights carry significant momentum after their remarkable finals run.
The Roosters play the Knights at 8.30 tonight.
