Grand Final day has arrived, with three huge deciders set to light up Accor Stadium. The Panthers and Dolphins clash in the NRL State Championship, the Roosters and Broncos meet in the NRLW Grand Final, and the season culminates with the NRL Grand Final between the Roosters and Knights. Our expert panel has delivered its predictions for the premiership decider, including winner, margin, halftime leader, Clive Churchill Medal and first tryscorer selections.
Grand Final Fixtures & Expert Predictions
All times AEDT
| Competition | Match | Kick-Off | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|
| NRL State Championship | Panthers vs Dolphins | 1:20pm | Accor Stadium |
| NRLW Grand Final | Roosters vs Broncos | 4:00pm | Accor Stadium |
| NRL Grand Final | Roosters vs Knights | 7:30pm | Accor Stadium |
Read Full Previews
- NRL Grand Final: Roosters vs Knights → roosters-vs-knights-grand-final-preview-2026
- NRLW Grand Final: Roosters vs Broncos → roosters-vs-broncos-nrlw-grand-final-preview-2026
| Writer | Winner & Margin | HT Leader | Clive Churchill Medal | First Tryscorer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matt Pritchard | Roosters by 22 | Roosters | Sam Walker | Bradman Best |
| Andrew Pelechaty | Roosters by 10 | Roosters | Daly Cherry-Evans | Mark Nawaqanitawase |
| Brendan Wood | Knights by 2 | Roosters | Kalyn Ponga | Robert Toia |
| Cameron Mark | Roosters by 12 | Roosters | Daly Cherry-Evans | Bradman Best |
| Debra Sherwood | Knights by 6 | Roosters | Sandon Smith | Mark Nawaqanitawase |
| Jem Nash | Roosters by 10 | Roosters | Sam Walker | Robert Toia |
| Lachlan Jeffery | Roosters by 8 | Draw | James Tedesco | Dominic Young |
| Mathew Williams | Knights by 6 | Roosters | Kalyn Ponga | Robert Toia |
| Matt Attard | Roosters by 10 | Roosters | Nafahu Whyte | Dominic Young |
| Nathan Smith | Roosters by 16 | Roosters | Sam Walker | Mark Nawaqanitawase |
| Shannon Meyer | Knights by 2 | Draw | Fletcher Sharpe | Robert Toia |
| Adam Ryan | Roosters by 10 | Roosters | Daly Cherry-Evans | Dominic Young |
Key Grand Final Talking Points
- The expert panel is backing the Roosters 8-4 to defeat the Knights.
- Ten of 12 tipsters predict the Roosters will lead at halftime, with only Lachlan Jeffery and Shannon Meyer forecasting a halftime draw.
- Sam Walker and Daly Cherry-Evans are the most popular Clive Churchill Medal selections with three picks each.
- Robert Toia remains the panel’s most-backed first tryscorer with four selections.
- The panel’s predicted margins range from Roosters by 22 to Knights by 6, highlighting the contrast between those expecting a Roosters triumph and those backing Newcastle to complete its fairytale finals run.
- Roosters stars dominate the major individual predictions, accounting for nine of the 12 Clive Churchill Medal selections and 10 of the 12 first tryscorer picks.
With the premiership trophy on the line and the tipping competition still undecided, the 2026 NRL Grand Final promises a dramatic finish to the season. Will the Roosters justify favouritism and claim another title, or can the Knights complete an unforgettable finals run and lift the trophy? The answers await on rugby league’s biggest stage.
