NRL Judiciary Finals Week 3 (Friday): Three players have been charged following Friday night’s preliminary final, with Victor Radley cleared to play in the 2026 NRL Grand Final should he accept an early guilty plea.
The Match Review Committee reviewed incidents from the Sydney Roosters’ 36-20 victory over the Dolphins, issuing charges to Dolphins pair Isaiya Katoa and Morgan Knowles, along with Roosters lock Victor Radley.
While both Radley and Knowles carry substantial penalties due to their judiciary records, neither player faces an automatic suspension if they accept their early guilty pleas.
NRL Judiciary Finals Week 3 Friday Charges
Match Review Committee Charges
| Player | Club | Incident | Grade | Early Plea | Panel |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isaiya Katoa | Dolphins | Dangerous Contact | Grade 1 | $750 fine | $1,000 fine |
| Morgan Knowles | Dolphins | Careless High Tackle | Grade 1 | $3,000 fine | 2 matches |
| Victor Radley | Roosters | Dangerous Contact | Grade 1 | $3,000 fine | 2 matches |
Players Facing Suspension
- Morgan Knowles (Dolphins) – 2 match suspension if found guilty at panel.
- Victor Radley (Roosters) – 2 match suspension if found guilty at panel.
Key Takeaways
- Three players were charged from Friday night’s preliminary final
- Victor Radley is free to play in the Grand Final if he accepts his early plea
- The Roosters advanced to the 2026 NRL Grand Final with a 36-20 victory over the Dolphins
- Morgan Knowles and Victor Radley both carry elevated penalties due to their judiciary records
Victor Radley Charge Details
Radley was charged with a Grade 1 dangerous contact offence following an incident in the 29th minute involving Dolphins centre Herbie Farnworth.
The Roosters forward has a third and subsequent offence on his judiciary record, leading to a significantly increased penalty.
Importantly for the Roosters, Radley will remain available for the 2026 NRL Grand Final if he accepts the early guilty plea.
Early Plea: $3,000 fine
If Found Guilty at Panel: 2 match suspension
Other Charges
- Isaiya Katoa: Grade 1 dangerous contact (2nd minute vs Daniel Tupou) – $750 early plea fine ($1,000 panel) after qualifying for the incident-free discount.
- Morgan Knowles: Grade 1 careless high tackle (25th minute vs Mark Nawaqanitawase) – $3,000 early plea fine or 2-match suspension if found guilty at panel due to a third and subsequent offence record.
Match Context
The Sydney Roosters secured their place in the 2026 NRL Grand Final after defeating the Dolphins 36-20 in Friday night’s preliminary final.
The victory booked the Roosters a spot in the season decider, while the Dolphins’ breakthrough campaign came to an end one step short of the Grand Final.
Despite the physical nature of the contest, only three players were charged by the Match Review Committee.
What Happens Next
Players charged by the Match Review Committee will now decide whether to:
- accept the early guilty plea for a reduced penalty, or
- challenge the charge at the NRL Judiciary panel.
Should Radley or Knowles elect to challenge their charges and be found guilty, each would face a two-match suspension.
If all early pleas are accepted, the matters will be finalised without requiring Judiciary hearings.
Related Coverage
- NRL Prelim Finals Hub → /2026-season/prelim-finals/
- NRL Prelim Finals Team Lists → /nrl-team-lists-preliminary-finals-2026/
- NRL Injury List → /nrl/injuries/
- NRL Judiciary Hub → /nrl-judiciary-2026/
