NRL 2026: Grand final talking points, Roosters, Knights, Spencer Leniu contract, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Kalyn Ponga, match report, opinion, analysis, news

The Roosters’ thrilling 19-18 win over a brave Newcastle outfit closed the curtain on a memorable 2026 season.

The victors sent out Daly Cherry-Evans (Super League) and rugby union-bound Mark Nawaqaanitawase in style while the evergreen James Tedesco won his first Clive Churchill Medal.

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A hot-and-cold Roosters star saved his best game for the season at the right time

Meanwhile, the Knights lost no admirers in the loss, even after last weekend’s stunning but taxing preliminary win.

Read on for all of the talking points out of the 2026 grand final!

POLARISING PROP’S CONTRACT STATEMENT

Spencer Leniu departed the Panthers a premier – and could now do the same at the Roosters.

The middle forward’s time at the Tricolours has been nothing short of controversial, enduring a wave of criticism after a racism scandal that rocked the NRL.

His $850,000 salary has also come under the microscope, falling out of favour under Trent Robinson at different stages.

However, he played a crucial role in the grand final – and his coach heaped praise on the talented prop post-match, after an important conversation a day earlier.

“Look, we had a chat yesterday and he said, ‘I just want to defend well’. And I just said, ‘I probably want you to be yourself. Just go out there and be Spencer’,” he explained to Channel 9.

“And he changed the momentum for us. That’s as simple as that. You know, he came on with a couple of those guys, but Spencer changed the momentum.

“And you know for his stint of maybe 25 minutes it had a huge impact on that game.”

Leniu’s energy when he entered the field was clear to see, and there’s an argument to say that’s the most impact he has had across his Roosters career.

It’s especially timely given it could be the last time he pulls on a Tricolours jersey, being heavily linked with a move to the Eels despite having a year remaining on his contract.

According to Code Sports, the gun prop is set to ink a four-year deal to make the move to Parramatta, joining an engine room that consists of Jack Williams, J’maine Hopgood and Junior Paulo.

Roosters crowned 2026 premiers | 03:28

Meanwhile, Andrew Johns echoed Robinson’s sentiment and explained that Leniu’s grand final experience undoubtedly played a role in his performance.

During his time at the Panthers, Leniu won three premierships before making his big-money move – watching on from his new club as his former teammates won a fourth in 2024.

“Since Leniu came on in the 30th minute, the fortunes turned for the Roosters,” Johns said on Channel 9.

“They won field position and came up with some big runs, He had that big run where he dragged a couple of them before that try and obviously came up with a hit.

“They got the error. He’s had a massive impact… he’s used to these games. He’s been here before. He’s won three premierships Spencer Leniu. What an impact he’s had.”

Leniu’s performance was all the more impressive given there was a chance he never took the field, with Robinson opting to keep him on the bench in the preliminary finals.

And he delivered right when his team needed him most.

“Spenny (Leniu) got left out last week… I said he handled it really well, but we just asked him to play like him tonight, and geez, we needed it,” Robinson said in his post-match press conference.

“It was why we signed Spenny, it’s why he played Origin here and no one bends the line like him… and we needed it in bucketloads tonight and it was really fortunate that he did.”

MORE FROM THE GRAND FINAL

ROOSTERS RATINGS:Recruit to go down in NRL folklore; star who swung epic GF

KNIGHTS RATINGS:All-time ‘one-man freak show’; Origin star goes missing

MATCH REPORT:DCE’s all-time redemption as Ponga emotional after Knights heartbreak

LEGEND STUNNED AT KNIGHTS’ RESOLVE

A grand final loss is always heartbreaking but the Knights can hold their head up high for their efforts on Sunday night.

A glance at the stats would suggest the Knights were thrashed on the scoreboard, but Newcastle’s defence kept them in the game.

The Roosters won the territory battle 84% to 16%, which is just an incredible figure.

Newcastle made 100 more tackles and ran for 550 less metres, yet were in the game right until the final buzzer.

Knights legend Andrew Johns was in awe of his former side’s defensive resolve.

“Well, it was astonishing really. When you look at the stats, we spoke about it during the call, the Roosters had 57% of possession as Cameron Smith just said, they completed over 90% and they gave away two penalties,” Johns said.

“And for the Knights only to be beaten by one point. It was a superhuman effort. You have a look at this team for the Roosters. There’s 11 current or former Origin players and 51 play the balls in the opposition 20, compared to six for Newcastle.

“They just hung in and hung in and hung in and then towards the end and they could have stole it late. But the incredible effort couldn’t be any more proud of the players and everyone at the club.”

Holbrook: 'Fight to get back here!' | 11:57

Phil Gould called it the most dominant one-point win he had ever seen.

“What an extraordinary defensive display they put on there this evening. I mean the game was totally dominated by the Roosters’ field possession, the field position and possession all night and they just kept turning up for each other and turning the Roosters away time and

time and time again,” Gould said.

“When you think about it, Newcastle only got down there in three times. They scored two tries and the other time Fletcher Sharpe dropped it on an early tackle.

“Newcastle just never got to their end of the field and for the Roosters it was the composure of their spine that even though they weren’t scoring, they kept the pressure on, they didn’t panic, they didn’t make mistakes and in the end they were rewarded with it. but I don’t want to take anything away from what Newcastle did because it was extraordinary and it just goes on with what they did in the semi-finals”.

No one expected the Knights to progress this far after last year’s wooden spoon disaster but under Justin Holbrook, they’ve turned into a gritty side which is complimented by plenty of attacking flair.

Given their remarkable win over Penrith with one less man, they’d be forgiven for playing flat in the decider. They were anything but.

The question that remains though is whether they’ll be able to back it up next year.

Johns may be biased, but he’s confident the Knights have what it takes to be right in the mix in 2027 … especially with their superstar at the back.

“The way the fans have rallied the last couple of weeks in particular this week, I think Kalyn said it in his speech said we’ll be back. I have no doubt they’ll be back next year with some key players who’ll be playing, and Justin Holbrook there,” Johns said.

“Ponga, what a player. He’s developed in one of the great leaders. Some of his efforts tonight when he scored that try, sprinted across the field just in case and then sprinted 100 metres. “What a champion.”

TEDDY’S IMPRESSIVE LAST DITCH KANGAROOS BID

Given the injury to Dylan Edwards, Roosters star James Tedesco likely entered Sunday night’s grand final as the favourite to win the Kangaroos’ No. 1 jersey for the upcoming World Cup .

If there was any doubt though, the veteran put them to bed with a terrific captain’s knock against Newcastle.

Tedesco was superb in victory, running for over 300 metres en route to a third premiership and his first ever Clive Churchill Medal.

Reece Walsh is the incumbent Kangaroos fullback after leading Australia to a whitewash in the UK last year, but Tedesco has and Edwards have been the form No.1’s this season.

Edwards won’t feature at the showcase event though after a late season injury will require surgery.

Meanwhile, it was a down season for Walsh, who will probably still be picked in the squad though as Tedesco’s back up when coach Kevin Walters announces his team on Monday morning

As Fox League’s Andrew Voss noted, Tedesco lost both his Blues jersey and Kanagaroos jersey in recent seasons.

“Massive night from his opening carry. Everything was dialed in,” Voss said.

“Reflect on his whole year though, and it’s the year of the comeback. This is a bloke who lsot his Aussie jersey, lost his Blues jersey, but won that back this year, he’s now won a Clive Churchill Medal with the World Cup around the fullback. Australian fullback?”

Penrith legend Greg Alexander believes Tedesco deserves to be the first choice fullback as Australia look to defend their title.

Alexander pointed out that Tedesco had to battle back from a late season injury scare as well which threatened to derail his season.

“We refer to the game they played in Rd 21 and Teddy scored three tries in that game. He was kept out for five to six games with an ankle injry in back end of the season,” Alexander said.

“A number of times in the opening 40 minutes, you just thought, Tedesco is on.”

Tedesco lifts NRL Premiership | 00:34

DCE STATEMENT IN SWANSONG NRL GAME

It’s been 15 years between drinks for Daly Cherry-Evans.

The veteran halfback come into the NRL as a premiership-winner in 2011 and has now signed off with a second title, which also came at his second club.

It’s a fitting farewell for a legend of the game, who has signed a contract with Hull FC to finish his playing days in the Super League.

What’s even more fitting is that his field goal secured a one-point victory for the Roosters, being renowned as one of the game’s best when it comes to icing crucial moments.

Cherry-Evans has the outright most field goals in the NRL era, with his grand final effort marking the 32nd of a storied career – and arguably his most memorable.

For league legend Michael Ennis, Cherry-Evans game awareness was in plain sight.

“He’s done it too many times for it not to be Daly Cherry Evans’ call without knowing,” he explained on Fox League.

“I just think Daly Cherry-Evans has this incredible feel for moments in games and where the game’s positioned. He stepped up when he knew there was going to be no pressure on him.

“Newcastle, you go back and watch their marker work, you watch their work from around the ruck defence. They weren’t even thinking that. But he was, and that’s what makes the great players great.”

'It shouldn't have been close' | Debrief | 12:11

The Roosters signed Cherry-Evans to partner Sam Walker, allowing him to play his free-roaming style while the veteran steered the team around the park when needed.

But when he was needed most, he used his experience to ice the game – which is simply his job.

“You guys create those storylines, but I will say that was just an example of someone having to do their job for the team. It’s as simple as that,” Cherry-Evans said in the post-match press conference.

“We all have different jobs … you guys talk about some of those jobs sometimes, and then there’s boys in our locker room that you don’t talk about much who have to do their jobs.

“So yeah, they’re just all moments, and it’s all part of the team … from the top down, we’re very lucky to have Trent (Robinson), Teddy (Tedesco). It’s a great club.”

And even still, at 37 years of age, the veteran halfback was still learning.

During the Roosters’ finals run, they went down to the Panthers in the first week, with Nathan Cleary field goal proving to be the decisive points.

In the 74th minute, Penrith were fully expecting a field-goal attempt and thwarted Cherry-Evans’ first attempt.

He hit Victor Radley, before shaping up again and shanking his effort wide of the posts.

So when his opportunity came again against the Knights, he made sure to catch them off guard and secure a seven-point lead, which in the end proved crucial.

COULD MARKY MARK RETURN TO THE NRL?

It’s unknown whether Mark Nawqanitawase will ever be seen in our game again, but if it’s the end for the freakish high-flyer in rugby league, he’s provided an unforgettable stint.

Helping the Roosters to a grand final win with a double in the flamboyant fashion we’ve come to expect from him, Nawaqanitawase closed this chapter of his sporting career … for now.

After making the switch from the 15-man code in 2024, Nawaqanitawase will return to rugby union and hopes to earn selection in next year’s Wallabies side for the 2027 World Cup.

He’ll link up with Japanese League One side Saitama Wild Knights on a two-year deal and will be heading over to the Land of the Rising Sun in the coming weeks to prepare for the League One season.

However, the door has been left wide open for a potential Roosters reunion down the track.

It was reported this week in the lead up to the grand final that Nawaqanitawase met with Roosters chairman Nick Politis.

One thing is for sure. If Nawaqanitawase ever returns to rugby league, it’ll be with the Tricolours.

“If I was to ever come back, it’d only be for the Roosters,” Nawaqanitawase said a fortnight ago.

“It’s been above and beyond what I thought it would go like, so I’m enjoying it every week and hopefully I can continue to enjoy it for the next two.

“It’s been the best decision ever.”

Roosters coach Trent Robinson says Nawaqanitawase’s unpredictability and creativity is what makes him such box office TV.

He put the Roosters on the board in the decider after a quick-thinking tap forward with his boot before chasing the ball down to score.

Tedesco 'speechless' after Grand Final | 00:28

”It’s extraordinary watching him play the game, and like everybody here in the room, when he gets the ball, you sort of go, okay, um, what’s gonna happen here?” Robinson said in his post-match presser.

“You know, when you other people get the ball in the same situation, you sort of know what’s gonna happen. When Mark gets it, there’s like this energy that okay, he can do something here always, and he believes he can do something always.

“But not only has he done it with the skill, he’s he does it in carrying out of the backfield.

“He has improved defensively. His arms were painted on when he came across. He could not tackle like that.

“It’s been a real pleasure to coach someone with such freedom and care at the same time.”

Robinson isn’t sure what Nawaqanitawase’s future holds but says he “wouldn’t be surprised” if the flyer returns to league.

The Roosters coach also made a huge callwhen asked if there’s been a winger that’s had as big an impact in such a short time.

“I feel like he’s made a big difference to us, and we’ve also made a big difference to him,” he said.

“I’m just trying to think of a winger that’s had his bigger impact on the game, you know.

“There’s been some amazing wingers that have played the game. I mean, Brett Morris, what he did for us in 2019, that was memorable, but what Mark’s done... I hope he’s created another generation of those types of players.”

ASSESSING THE KNIGHTS ‘HUGE GAMBLE’

When Phoenix Crossland found himself slapped with a four-match suspension on Tuesday, it was always going to be tough for Justin Holbrook to replace him.

“The amount of work Phoenix Crossland has got through, he’s been so reliable,” Michael Ennis said on Fox League.

Diesel Hagan, Harrison Graham and Thomas Cant.

One was a rookie who hasn’t played a game and another primarily plays in the back-row, so Graham emerged as the likely option to takes his starting spot.

However, Holbrook decided to go in another direction and opted to parachute Cant straight from the interchange bench into the No. 9 jersey.

Ali avoids disaster after dangerous act | 00:26

“It is an undervalued position and the start of a grand final is absolutely critical,” Fox League analyst Michael Ennis said before the match after finding out Cant had been selected to start.

“If the Knights are in it at halftime with the groundswell of support I give them every shot but if the Roosters jump out and blow them off the park, all it can take is one moment – a poor dummy-half pass that doesn’t hit the mark and hits the ground.

“It can kill momentum and a side like the Roosters in the form they’re in and the points they’ve piled on in the semis, I’m worried.“

Further described by Andrew Johns as a “huge gamble”, the decision ended up paying off.

In Cant’s opening stint in the first-half as he played a crucial role in getting the Knights out to a 12-point lead and his passing game was solid off the ground.

“Thomas Cant was great starting at hooker,” coach Justin Holbrook said post-match.

The edge-forward’s hard work on both ends of the field – he finished with 28 tackles – allowed Harrison Graham to add his customary speed off the interchange bench.

And while he didn’t have the same spark as last week he was still reliable around the ruck and wasn’t the reason behind the side’s one-point defeat.

“Every minute that goes on here it just supports the tactics of the Knights,” Brad Fittler said of Graham.

To put it plainly, the Knights may have lost the contest, but Holbrook’s “huge gamble” paid off.

PERFECT Roosters win NRLW title | 02:40