Dolphins vs Roosters
Preliminary Finals 2026, Friday 25 September 2026
Verdict: Dolphins by 5
DolphinsRoosters
Result: Roosters 36 defeated Dolphins 20 ✗ Tip wrong
Match facts
- Kick-off
- Fri 25 Sep, 7:50pm AEST
- Venue
- Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
- Ladder going in
- Dolphins 3rd, Roosters 4th
- Referee
- Adam Gee
- Crowd
- 52,286
- Weather
- Fine, good ground
How the experts tipped
Dolphins 67%33% Roosters
| Expert | Tip | Tip correct |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Baker | Dolphins | ✗ |
| Chris Barrett | Dolphins | ✗ |
| Zoe Samios | Roosters | ✓ |
| Zac Bailey | Dolphins | ✗ |
| Frances Howe | Roosters | ✓ |
| Christian Nicolussi | Dolphins | ✗ |
| Billie Eder | Dolphins | ✗ |
| Adrian Proszenko | Roosters | ✓ |
| Dan Walsh | Dolphins | ✗ |
| Andrew Johns | Roosters | ✓ |
| Emma Kemp | Dolphins | ✗ |
| Neil Breen | Dolphins | ✗ |
Going in
| Club | Ladder going in | Last five, oldest first | Model rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dolphins | 3rd | WWWWW | +6.7 |
| Roosters | 4th | LLLLW | +6.4 |
Last five games
Dolphins
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Finals Week 1 | at Warriors | W 26–16 |
| Round 27 | at Titans | W 24–20 |
| Round 26 | at Roosters | W 26–12 |
| Round 25 | v Eels | W 34–16 |
| Round 24 | at Sea Eagles | W 22–0 |
Roosters
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Semi-Finals | v Sharks | W 46–10 |
| Finals Week 1 | at Panthers | L 12–19 |
| Round 27 | at Rabbitohs | L 20–50 |
| Round 26 | v Dolphins | L 12–26 |
| Round 25 | v Wests Tigers | L 24–25 |
Head to head since 2024
| Season | Round | Game | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Round 26 | Roosters v Dolphins | 12–26 | Allianz Stadium |
| 2026 | Round 15 | Dolphins v Roosters | 48–10 | Suncorp Stadium |
| 2025 | Round 23 | Dolphins v Roosters | 12–64 | Suncorp Stadium |
| 2025 | Round 9 | Roosters v Dolphins | 36–26 | Suncorp Stadium |
| 2024 | Round 22 | Dolphins v Roosters | 34–40 | HBF Park |
Team lists
Dolphins
- 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow Fullback
- 2 Jamayne Isaako Winger
- 3 Jack Bostock Centre
- 4 Herbie Farnworth Centre
- 5 Selwyn Cobbo Winger
- 6 Kodi Nikorima Five-Eighth
- 7 Isaiya Katoa (c) Halfback
- 8 Thomas Flegler Prop
- 9 Jeremy Marshall-King Hooker
- 10 Tom Gilbert Prop
- 11 Max Plath 2nd Row
- 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 2nd Row
- 13 Morgan Knowles Lock
- 14 Kurt Donoghoe Interchange
- 15 Ray Stone Interchange
- 16 Francis Molo Interchange
- 17 Connelly Lemuelu Interchange
- 19 Bradley Schneider Reserve
- 20 Jake Averillo Reserve
Coach: Kristian Woolf
Same 17 as last game (Finals Week 1 v Warriors)
Roosters
- 1 James Tedesco (c) Fullback
- 2 Daniel Tupou Winger
- 3 Billy Smith Centre
- 4 Robert Toia Centre
- 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase Winger
- 6 Daly Cherry-Evans Five-Eighth
- 7 Sam Walker Halfback
- 8 Naufahu Whyte Prop
- 9 Reece Robson Hooker
- 10 Lindsay Collins Prop
- 11 Salesi Foketi 2nd Row
- 12 Siua Wong 2nd Row
- 13 Victor Radley Lock
- 14 Connor Watson Interchange
- 15 Angus Crichton Interchange
- 16 Nat Butcher Interchange
- 17 Spencer Leniu Reserve
- 18 Hugo Savala Interchange
- 19 Cody Ramsey Reserve
Coach: Trent Robinson
Numbers as named by each club on nrl.com. Changes are measured against the club's previous game.
Why the model leaned this way
Going in, Dolphins rated +6.7 and Roosters +6.4 on our scale, a gap of 0.3 points, plus 4.5 points for playing at their own ground.
Scoring
- Dolphins
- Tries Jamayne Isaako 33', Jamayne Isaako 42', Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 74', Herbie Farnworth 76'
- Goals 2/4
- Half-time 6
- Roosters
- Tries Mark Nawaqanitawase 17', Victor Radley 23', Daniel Tupou 26', Robert Toia 45', Lindsay Collins 54', Mark Nawaqanitawase 56', Sam Walker 66'
- Goals 4/7
- Half-time 16
Draw, teams and scoring: nrl.com match centre. Expert tips: The Sydney Morning Herald panel.