The Sydney Roosters have won their 16th NRL premiership, defeating the Newcastle Knights 19-18 in a gripping grand final in Sydney. Newcastle, who went from wooden spooners to grand finalists in a Cinderella season, led 12-0 but were denied one of the greatest upsets in rugby league history.
Roosters' aerial assault and Newcastle's early lead
In front of 80,814 fans, the match started frantically as players sought early statements. Roosters forward Naufahu Whyte delivered heavy shots on Dom Young and Kalyn Ponga, but the Knights stayed composed, kicking long and chasing hard. The Roosters soon began to roll, with Sam Walker and Daly Cherry-Evans raining bombs on Ponga.
After 15 minutes, Whyte appeared to force a turnover from Tyson Frizell, but referee Adam Gee ruled a high shot instead. Newcastle charged downfield, and Francis Manuleleua angled in from the left to cross untouched, giving the Knights the first try. The Roosters' aerial assault initially failed, but after 30 minutes Mark Nawaqanitawase soared to touch down, only for replays to show a finger-width of displacement. Minutes later, Nawaqanitawase tapped back and Ponga scooped it up to race 95 metres for a try, putting Newcastle 12-0 ahead.
Roosters fight back in the second half
With three minutes left in the half, Cherry-Evans dinked a kick for Robert Toia, whose tap-back found the turf. Nawaqanitawase showed his invention, dabbing the ball forward off his instep and pouncing to score as it crossed the line. At half-time, the Roosters had dominated possession 57-43%, charged 286 metres further and made 30 tackle busts to the Knights' 11, yet trailed 12-6.
In the second half, the Roosters hammered at the Knights' line. Desperate defence kept them at bay until Spencer Leniu jolted Young, and Walker sent the ball short to Salesi Foketi, who offloaded to Billy Smith to crash over and level the scores. With 30 minutes to go, the Knights' tackling effort began to wane, and Walker kicked Sydney ahead 14-12 after a penalty. Nawaqanitawase then proved the difference again, finishing a Tedesco pass in the corner for his seventh finals try and an 18-12 lead.
Field goal and late drama
Cherry-Evans, at 37 the oldest grand finalist in history, calmly slotted a field goal to extend the lead to 19-12. The Knights refused to lie down, and Greg Marzhew shrugged off two defenders to cross, making it 19-18. The Roosters kicked long and the Knights had one final set, but their magic ran dry. The Roosters, ruthless all season, squeezed hard and claimed the title, while Newcastle's fairytale run ended in heartbreak.
