Roosters vs Knights
Grand Final 2026, Sunday 4 October 2026
Verdict: Roosters by 5
RoostersKnights
Result: Roosters 19 defeated Knights 18 ✓ Tip correct
Match facts
- Kick-off
- Sun 4 Oct, 7:30pm AEDT
- Venue
- Accor Stadium, Sydney
- Ladder going in
- Roosters 4th, Knights 7th
- Referee
- Adam Gee
- Crowd
- 80,814
- Weather
- Fine, good ground
How the experts tipped
Roosters 58%42% Knights
| Expert | Tip | Tip correct |
|---|---|---|
| Jordan Baker | Roosters | ✓ |
| Chris Barrett | Roosters | ✓ |
| Zoe Samios | Roosters | ✓ |
| Zac Bailey | Roosters | ✓ |
| Frances Howe | Knights | ✗ |
| Christian Nicolussi | Knights | ✗ |
| Billie Eder | Knights | ✗ |
| Adrian Proszenko | Knights | ✗ |
| Dan Walsh | Roosters | ✓ |
| Andrew Johns | Knights | ✗ |
| Emma Kemp | Roosters | ✓ |
| Neil Breen | Roosters | ✓ |
Going in
| Club | Ladder going in | Last five, oldest first | Model rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roosters | 4th | LLLWW | +7.6 |
| Knights | 7th | LLWWW | +2.4 |
Last five games
Roosters
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Finals | at Dolphins | W 36–20 |
| 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 |
Knights
| Round | Opponent | Score |
|---|---|---|
| Preliminary Finals | at Panthers | W 22–14 |
| Semi-Finals | at Warriors | W 12–10 |
| Finals Week 1 | at Rabbitohs | W 20–10 |
| Round 26 | at Warriors | L 32–46 |
| Round 25 | v Sea Eagles | L 24–44 |
Head to head since 2024
| Season | Round | Game | Score | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Round 21 | Knights v Roosters | 22–23 | McDonald Jones Stadium |
| 2026 | Round 7 | Roosters v Knights | 38–24 | Allianz Stadium |
| 2025 | Round 15 | Knights v Roosters | 8–12 | McDonald Jones Stadium |
| 2024 | Round 6 | Knights v Roosters | 20–22 | McDonald Jones Stadium |
Team lists
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
- 15 Angus Crichton Interchange
- 16 Nat Butcher Interchange
- 17 Spencer Leniu Interchange
- 18 Hugo Savala Reserve
- 19 Cody Ramsey Reserve
- 20 Benaiah Ioelu Reserve
Coach: Trent Robinson
Out Connor Watson
Knights
- 1 Kalyn Ponga (c) Fullback
- 2 Dominic Young Winger
- 3 Dane Gagai Centre
- 4 Bradman Best Centre
- 5 Greg Marzhew Winger
- 6 Fletcher Sharpe Five-Eighth
- 7 Sandon Smith Halfback
- 8 Tyson Frizell Prop
- 10 Cody Hopwood Prop
- 11 Jermaine McEwen 2nd Row
- 12 Francis Manuleleua 2nd Row
- 13 Mat Croker Lock
- 14 Harrison Graham Interchange
- 15 Lachlan Crouch Interchange
- 16 Pasami Saulo Interchange
- 17 Dylan Lucas Interchange
- 18 Fletcher Hunt Reserve
- 19 Thomas Cant Hooker
- 21 Diesel Hagan Reserve
Coach: Justin Holbrook
Out Phoenix Crossland
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, Roosters rated +7.6 and Knights +2.4 on our scale, a gap of 5.2 points at a ground neither club calls home.
Scoring
- Roosters
- Tries Mark Nawaqanitawase 35', Billy Smith 47', Mark Nawaqanitawase 59'
- Goals 2/3, pen Sam Walker 54'
- Field goals Daly Cherry-Evans 69'
- Half-time 6
- Knights
- Tries Francis Manuleleua 15', Kalyn Ponga 29', Greg Marzhew 76'
- Goals 3/3
- Half-time 12
Draw, teams and scoring: nrl.com match centre. Expert tips: The Sydney Morning Herald panel.