Roosters complete comeback to win 16th premiership
The Sydney Roosters secured their 16th National Rugby League title on Sunday, defeating the Newcastle Knights 19-18 in a dramatic Grand Final at a sold-out Accor Stadium. The Roosters had trailed by 12 points before mounting a comeback to deny Newcastle a fairytale finish to their season. It was the Roosters' first premiership since 2019 and their fourth under long-serving coach Trent Robinson.[S1][S3][S4]
Daly Cherry-Evans, the oldest Grand Finalist in history and bound for Hull FC, kicked the crucial drop goal that extended his side's lead beyond a converted try. He was playing 15 years after winning his first premiership medallion. Mark Nawaqanitawase, in his final game for the Roosters before returning to rugby union, scored two tries, while captain James Tedesco delivered an inspirational performance.[S1][S6]
Knights' fast start and late fightback fall short
The underdog Knights stormed to a 12-0 lead, with Francis Manuleleua opening the scoring before Kalyn Ponga ran the length of the field for a classic Grand Final try that sent Newcastle fans wild. Nawaqanitawase cut the deficit with superb footwork, and Billy Smith powered over to level the scores. Sam Walker converted a penalty to put Sydney ahead, and Nawaqanitawase then flew into the corner to make it 18-12.[S1]
After Cherry-Evans nudged over his field goal, Greg Marzhew broke a couple of tackles to score for Newcastle, and Sandon Smith converted brilliantly from the touchline to set up a tense finale. But the Roosters, one of two clubs remaining from the first season of what became the NRL in 1908, held on to secure the Provan-Summons Trophy.[S1]
Vehicle incident casts shadow over Grand Final build-up
The Knights headed into the match just a day after CEO Peter Parr expressed deep concern following a vehicle driving into a crowd of people supporting the NRL team on Saturday as they prepared for the Grand Final. Police said 10 people were injured in the incident in Wallsend, New South Wales, including several children, while an 18-year-old man driving the vehicle was arrested. Two of the injured, a five-year-old girl and a 67-year-old man, are in critical condition, and the other eight are in stable condition at a hospital, according to New South Wales Police.[S1]
