The Sydney Roosters have reclaimed the NRL premiership, coming from behind to beat Newcastle 19–18 and secure their first title in seven years.
After they trailed 12-0 just before halftime at Accor Stadium on Sunday night, the Roosters dominated the second half before holding on late for their 16th title.
The result ended a fairytale run for the Knights, who had ridden a wave of emotion after going from wooden spooners last year to enter the finals in seventh spot.
While Newcastle were desperate in defence and produced some moments of first-half magic, the Roosters’ class and sheer weight of territory ultimately proved the difference.
Rugby-bound winger Mark Nawaqanitawase scored a double, Naufahu Whyte and Spencer Leniu were immense up front and James Tedesco ran for more than 300 metres to claim the Clive Churchill Medal.
Then with the Tricolours leading 18-12 and 10 minutes to go, 37-year-old Daly Cherry-Evans nailed the 32nd field goal of his career to ice the match.
It proved the difference, and enough to see the Roosters hold on after a late Greg Marzhew try gave the Knights three minutes to pull off a miracle.
Cherry-Evans’ field goal also ensured he would finish his NRL career as the oldest premiership winner in 104 years, adding a second title to the one he won as a rookie at Manly in 2011.
“The journey is all about the ups and downs and it’s so amazing to finish here,” Cherry-Evans said.
“I didn’t want to sound arrogant or overly confident, but I had so much belief in this club, the players, the coach.
“This is what it’s all about. And we did it. And I’m so, so proud to be here, and I just can’t wait to go see my family.”
The Roosters have been one of the NRL’s heavyweights for 14 seasons under Trent Robinson, to the point where seven years without a title felt like an eternity.
Cherry-Evans’ move to the Roosters at the start of this season had made them the early favourites again, but much like most of this year Sunday night did not come easy.
Newcastle had their moments of magic early, with one of the feel-good stories of the finals Francis Manuleleua scoring first when he cut back inside through a gap.
Ponga also turned it on with five minutes of brilliance, making a try-saver on Nawaqanitawase and running 95 metres to score and make it 12-0.
At that point, the Newcastle tidal wave of emotion appeared set to deliver the Knights their first title in 25 years.
Naufahu Whyte of the Roosters runs the ball during the NRL Grand Final match between Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights at Accor Stadium in Sydney, Australia, on Oct. 4, 2026. (Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
After Newcastle held on desperately and produced two try-saving tackles on Tedesco and Salesi Foketi, Leniu rocked Dom Young on the first hit of the next set and forced an error.
Newcastle couldn’t hold on again, and Billy Smith carried Jermaine McEwen and Dane Gagai over the line to get the ball down and make it 12-12.
And when a Cherry-Evans kick rebounded off the upright and Tedesco spread the ball right to Nawaqanitawase, he had his second and the Roosters led by six.
Newcastle’s never-say-die approach was on show when they surged late through Marzhew, but when a last-minute Knights shift ended in a Gagai error the Roosters were champions again.
“It hurts. It hurts so much,” Ponga said.
“I know we did [the fans] proud, but the ultimate goal is to win a comp. Can’t thank them enough for their support. We’ll be back.”
By Scott Bailey in Sydney
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