Recruit to go down in NRL folklore; star who swung epic GF — Crawls’ Roosters Ratings

The Sydney Roosters are the 2026 premiers after a standout performance from James Tedesco saw them outlast the Newcastle Knights in a thriller.

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Read below for Paul Crawley’s Roosters grand final player ratings!

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What a champion. Absolutely inspirational performance from the Roosters’ captain right up until those final desperate minutes when Teddy came up with two courageous plays under enormous pressure to close the game out. That was after 25 runs for a phenomenal 305m that included nine tackle busts and a try assist.

Did his share of the hard yards and came up with a crucial play when he beat Dom Young for a short drop midway through second half that ended in a try the next set.

A try scorer in a grand final is a wonderful reward for a bloke who has had a rotten run with injuries throughout his career. Also came up with some desperate defensive efforts.

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Mark Marky’s partner in crime on the Roosters’ right edge never stopped going after the game and was rewarded when he knocked the DCE bomb back for Nawaqanitawase’s first half try.

5. MARK NAWAQANITAWASE — 8.5

Just when you thought Nawaqanitawase’s luck had finally run out after letting an early try slip, he still found a way to finish with a double to cap off his fabulous two-year stint in the NRL that will now go down in the game’s folklore. One of the Roosters’ best.

Started with a premiership with Manly in 2011, now walks away with his second in his final NRL season. Looked rattled early by the Knights’ rushing defence but kept his head to guide the Roosters home, calmly slotting the winning field goal.

Struggled to grab the game by the scruff of the neck given the amount of possession and field position the Roosters had. But at the end of the day he is now a grand final winning halfback at the age of 24 and that is something no one can take away. Never stopped searching for opportunities.

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Was enormous in the middle finishing with 16 runs for 166m and 27 tackles. Laid the foundations for this premiership triumph.

Provided terrific service from dummy half and his 34 tackles was equal most for the Roosters.

The big fella waited a long time to finally get this and no one deserves it more. Worked hard as always and went desperately close to a meat pie.

This young powerhouse backrower ended a memorable year with another really strong performance with 14 carries for 86m and 34 tackles with just the one miss.

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Marky flies over for the Roosters! | 00:32

Missed a crucial tackle that led to Newcastle’s opening try to Manuleleua. But he put that behind him to do a really solid job that included 12 runs for 96m and 34 tackles.

Has been one of the cornerstones of this Roosters team for a long time and while there were no stand out moments like last week, Radley never stopped working.

Did the job Trent Robinson needed from him off the bench with 10 carries for 73m and 12 tackles without a miss.

An absolute tradesman who never gives anything less than 100 per cent. Clocked up 21 runs for 135m and 21 tackles.

Roosters pounce on HORRIFIC error | 00:29

Changed the momentum for the Roosters off the bench with some huge carries combined with some bone jarring defence.