There are two intriguing clashes on a Friday night for fans to watch the NRL's finest strut their stuff.
The Knights were looking to defend their fortress in Newcastle against the Roosters who were looking to make it five wins on the trot.
In a seesawing - and for the Knights, costly - match, the Roosters were able to just get the job done with a Daly Cherry-Evans field goal securing the 23-22 win.
The Knights battled bravely after losing second rower Dylan Lucas early in the first half with an ankle injury, before halfback Dylan Brown was ruled out with a knee issue in the second.
Roosters were also dealt an injury blow to Daniel Tupou.
Next up, the action headed to Accor Stadium to see if the injury-ravaged Rabbitohs dig deep and down the Storm for the second time this season or will Jahrome Hughes find a way to keep his team's top-eight hopes alive?
With so much at stake for all four clubs, this promises to be one hell of a night of footy and you can follow it all on NRL.com's live blog.
Rabbitohs v Storm at Accor Stadium
67th min: Can't write off a desperate Melbourne and they have hit right back with Tyran Wishart stepping his way through some tired defenders to dot the ball down under the posts. He converts his own try and the scores narrow again to 24-22.
64th min: An exciting Bunnies try to extend their lead with a break from Dufty starting them off and finished by youngster John Radel under the posts. Ashton Ward converts this one and they are out to a 24-16 lead.
61st min: The Storm are denied a comeback try on the field, with Cody Walker and Latrell Siegwalt doing well to keep Nick Meaney from getting to the line, stopping just short.
59th min: Captain's challenge by the Rabbitohs regarding a ball strip by Brandon Smith is successful. Smith then comes from the field with a left calf injury.
56th min: It is back-to-back for the Bunnies in fact, with Alex Johnston adding to his record tally. The home side were nearly over on the left through Siegwalt, but was impressively held up, so they went out to the right and then back to the left again for the Kumuls star to score. Ashton Ward takes over the kicking duties, but misses as well, so score remains 18-16 to the Rabbitohs who hit the lead.
52nd min: Nearly back-to-back in quick fashion for the Bunnies after their speedsters get into action - but the pass from Alex Johnston to Matt Dufty is called forward. Score remains 16-14 to Storm.
50th min: End-to-end play in the opening 10 minutes, but it's the Bunnies who score first in the second half, with Brandon Smith going over under the posts after his side were able to find some space and make some breaks against the Storm. Siegwalt slots the goal from in front and the scores narrow to 16-14 in favour of Melbourne.
Brandon Smith Try
Half-time: A half of two halves, with Souths Sydney bouncing out to an early lead before the Storm pegged them back and then went ahead for a 16-8 lead. However, the biggest news is an injury to Harry Grant - who appears to have suffered a hamstring injury.
38th min: A huge individual effort from Sua Faalogo who runs from his 30m line and steps and sways and runs away from the Rabbitohs defenders to score. Wishart slots this one as well and it's 16-8 to the Storm.
Sualauvi Faalogo Try
Injury alert - A big blow with Harry Grant coming off the field with a reported hamstring issue.
34th min: The Storm have the opportunity to go ahead with a penalty goal attempt and Tyran Wishart is able to slot his first for the night, giving the Storm a 10-8 lead. Melbourne were on the attack and could arguably pressed for a try, but decided to play it safe with a penalty goal attempt.
32nd min: A captain's challenge by the Storm disputing a knock on call against Cooper Clarke is successful, with Ashton Ward's arm touching a Hughes pass first.
26th min: Melbourne go back-to-back, with Oryn Keeley going over for his first try in Storm colours. A good team try after the Rabbitohs were a chance of scoring up the other end. Instead, it's the Storm who charge up the field, with Stefano Utoikamanu making a break and offloading to his second rower to score. Another conversion missed - neither side have one yet - and scores remain level at 8-8.
16th min: Storm have come charging back and are on the board. Harry Grant has come onto the field to provide more leadership - but they have lit up with some sparking runs from their backs including Moses Leo and Sua Faalogo. Their try however came from back-to-back penalties in their attacking zone and they made it count, passing out to Siulagi Tuimalatu-Brown to go over for his first NRL try. Tyran Wishart's attempt from the right sideline is missed and it's 8-4.
8th min: Far too easy for the Rabbitohs who are in again with Jack Wighton charging to the line with only Moses Leo to beat. The Storm have started poorly with their errors pounced on instantly by the Bunnies. Latrell Siegwalt can't convert again and the score remains 8-0.
Jack Wighton Try
3rd min: Early success for the Bunnies with Campbell Graham burrowing his way over on the tryline, with the Storm defenders not getting down low enough, allowing him to get the ball down. Latrell Siegwalt's conversion attempt is sliced away and it's 4-0 to the Rabbitohs.
Match: Rabbitohs v Storm
Round 21 -
home Team
Rabbitohs
7th Position
away Team
Storm
11th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Match preview
Rabbitohs v Storm: Round 21
Late Mail
Rabbitohs: A late swap, with Bronson Garlick to start at lock, with Lachlan Hubner moving to the bench. Earlier, skipper Cameron Murray (calf), back-rower David Fifita (suspension) and centre Tallis Duncan (hamstring) are all sidelined so there's a major reshuffle required. Lachlan Hubner the new lock, Latrell Siegwalt is back in the centres after playing NSW Cup last week and John Radel has been called into the starting side. Utility Jayden Sullivan returns from concussion on the bench while Bronson Garlick and Thomas Fletcher are the new faces on the six-man bench.
Storm: In a late change, skipper Harry Grant moves to the bench, with Trent Toelau elevated to start as hooker. Gun playmaker Jahrome Hughes missed just one game with a hamstring injury and looks set to return to partner Tyran Wishart in the halves. "He hasn't done much for a couple of weeks so we'll just see how he goes today [Thursday] and we'll go from there," coach Craig Bellamy said of Hughes. The season-ending Achilles injury to Will Warbrick sees Moses Leo come in on the wing after missing the Roosters game due to illness.
Numbers Game
- The Rabbitohs have won all five games at Accor Stadium this season.
- The Storm have won 12 of their last 15 games against the Rabbitohs.
- The Rabbitohs are aiming for back-to-back wins over the Storm for the first time.
- Storm prop Josh King will make his 200th NRL appearance.
- Rabbitohs winger Alex Johnston has scored 19 tries in 16 games against the Storm.
Knights v Roosters at McDonald Jones Stadium
Match: Knights v Roosters
Round 21 -
home Team
Knights
6th Position
away Team
Roosters
2nd Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Knights v Roosters – Round 21, 2026
Press conferences
NRL Press Conference: Knights v Roosters - Round 21, 2026
Full-time: The Roosters get it down against a battling Knights in an entertaining game, with DCE's field goal the difference in the end in the 23-22 win.
78th min: The Roosters hit the lead with the experienced Daly Cherry-Evan slotting yet another field goal. The visitors are up 23-22.
Cherry-Evans puts the Roosters in front
72nd min: A great try from Newcastle to light up the game once again. Bradman Best sets sail to the tryline after a great bust from Francis Manuleleua who steamed into a gap. Sandon Smith missed a kick from the same spot only moments ago - this time, he slots it and it's 22-22.
70th min: Successful captain's challenge from the Knights, overruling a call of a shoulder charge.
69th min: Roosters have been on the back foot, but they have staying the game and get themselves back in front with Billy Smith going over in the left-hand corner, capitalising on a Knights errors. Sam Walker slots it from the sideline and the Roosters lead 22-16.
64th min: The Knights have a change to edge back in front from a penalty - but Sandon Smith can't convert and scores remain locked at 16-16.
59th min: A hat-trick for James Tedesco with a nicely-executed Roosters try. Some good passing at the line sees Sam Walker find Nat Butcher who runs a good line and burst through a gap, finding his fullback in support. Walker's conversion this time is successful and it's 16-16.
Double injury update - Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has come off the field with a shoulder injury. Newcastle half Dylan Brown has also come from the field with a knee injury.
Concern for Dylan Brown
48th min: The Knights use the ball and the field possession gained from the penalty to score out on the right side with England international Dom Young sliding over. Good play on the inside in the lead up with some nice passes from Dylan Brown and Fletcher Hunt who delivered the last pass. Sandon Smith converts this one and it's 16-10 to the Knights.
Dominic Young Try
Injury update - Tyson Frizell is off the field with a HIA. Knights get another penalty with Nat Butcher on report this time for a high shot.
44th min: Roosters strike back after James Tedesco gets his double. Sam Walker can convert and it is locked up 10-10. After the Roosters got a penalty, they went to work in attack and the veteran fullback was able to throw a dummy and go through a gap, dragging a Knights defender with him along the way.
41st min: Less than ideal start for the Knights, with Francis Manuleleua coming from the field for a HIA. However, they do get a penalty with Egan Butcher on report for a high tackle.
Half-time: The home side take a 10-6 lead into the break after fighting back from an early deficit. They have done well to regroup and refocus after a nasty injury to star backrower Dylan Lucas, who was taken from the field via medicab with a suspected dislocated and fractured ankle.
29th min: The Knights go back-to-back with Mat Croker powering his way to the line, showing some footwork along the way to beat NSW Origin representatives James Tedesco and Reece Robson on the way. The Roosters gave up a restart and could also not stop a late offload from Brodie Jones who helped spark the attack. Sandon Smith's attempt this time is on target and the Knights lead 10-6.
Mat Croker Try
Injury update - Knight backrower Dylan Lucas is helped off the field via medicap after suffering an injury to his lower left leg.
23rd min: This time they strike, with young second rower Francis Manuleleua bursting through the Roosters defence after running on to a Dylan Brown short ball and going all the way to the line. Sandon Smith's attempt is off target and the Roosters lead 6-4.
20th min: Another promising Knights raid comes unstuck, with Fletcher Hunt pushed over the sideline after Phoenix Crossland put his side on the front foot with a clever 40/20 kick. Score remains 6-0 to the Roosters.
15th min: First points finally, with James Tedesco stepping his way in from 15 metres out, showing some fancy feet. The Knights were left to rue a forward pass and then gave up a penalty for taking too long to pack the scrum, giving the Roosters the ball. Sam Walker converts from in front and it's 6-0 to the visiting side.
James Tedesco Try
10th min: No score yet in Newcastle, with possession and completions fairly even to start the match. Greg Marzhew made an impressive kick-return for the Knights in what looked to be a promising attacking start to their set, but they lost the ball soon after to hand the Roosters back the advantage.
Marzhew like a freight train
Kick off: Roosters have first use of the ball.
Match preview
Knights v Roosters: Round 21
Late Mail
Knights: A late swap on game day with Cody Hopwood promoted to the starting side in his return from a calf injury. Tyson Frizell goes to the bench. Skipper Kalyn Ponga dropped out on Thursday due to quad tightness with Fletcher Sharpe moving to fullback and Sandon Smith the new five-eighth. Centre Dane Gagai has succumbed to calf tightness so the versatile Fletcher Hunt will start in the No.3 jersey. Lachlan Crouch is also out. Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana and Kyle McCarthy have been added to the six-man bench.
Roosters: The Roosters are 1-19 with no late changes. James Tedesco (concussion) is back on deck and centre Rob Toia returns after being given a post-Origin rest last week. Cody Ramsey and Hugo Savala move to the interchange.
Numbers Game
- The Knights have not defeated the Roosters in Newcastle since 2019.
- The Roosters have won nine of their last 10 games against the Knights.
- Knights second-rower Dylan Lucas has scored nine tries in his last nine games.
- Roosters winger Daniel Tupou has scored 10 tries in his last 10 games against the Knights.
- The Knights have won their last five games at McDonald Jones Stadium.
