Roosters into first decider since 2019 after dominating Dolphins

Media conference

 

Marky makes his mark: A stunning performance from Mark Nawaqanitawase in his second-last game before returning to rugby union as he bagged a double and chalked up a monster tally of 329 run metres. The freakish flyer also had five tackle breaks and one try assist.

Full-time: The fairytale season comes to an end for the Dolphins at the hands of a rampant Roosters outfit. That's a fourth grand final in 14 years at the helm for Trent Robinson while Daly Cherry-Evans will play in another decider in his 379th and final career game.

78 min: Some razzle dazzle from the Dolphins is snuffed out by Mark Nawaqanitawase as he picks off an Isaiya Katoa pass on the Roosters' 20m line. Marky Mark has been absolutely sensational for the Roosters in a dominant display.

77 min: Herbie Farnworth grabs another one for the Dolphins after good lead-up from Isaiya Katoa and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow. Roosters 36-20

74 min: Herbie Farnworth and Ray Stone are dragged down just short before the Dolphins go right and Isaiya Katoa puts Kulikefu Finefeuiaki into a hole for a consolation try. Jamayne Isaako misses the conversion. Roosters 36-14

70 min: A short dropout by the Dolphins is lost by the Roosters. The Phins start a set 20m out from their own line.

67 min: Sam Walker caps a remarkable comeback just 27 days after ankle surgery as he takes on the line from close range and accelerates over for a try. The gun halfback then heads for the bench and is replaced by Hugo Savala. The conversion is missed by Daly Cherry-Evans. Roosters 36-10

65 min: Sam Walker with a neat grubber into the in-goal and Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow has to scramble back and make it dead.

64 min: Billy Smith stumbles into a tackle and is caught high by Isaiya Katoa. Roosters penalty 30m out from the Dolphins line.

62 min: Naufahu Whyte goes close and tries to pick up Daly Cherry-Evans in support but the pass goes astray and the Dolphins hang on.

57 min: The Roosters have one foot in the grand final courtesy of a superb team try started by Siua Wong who finds Victor Radley and then James Tedesco. The fullback sends it on to Sam Walker and he gets a great flick pass to Radley who fires a 30-metre pass to Mark Nawaqanitawase who powers over Kodi Nikorima and crashes over for his second of the night. Roosters 32-10

55 min: Too big, too strong! Lindsay Collins with a crash ball from close range and the Roosters have a fifth try. Rob Toia had put the Roosters on the front foot with a trademark run and they cashed in big time. Daly Cherry-Evans converts. Roosters 28-10

54 min: The Roosters go left and James Tedesco looks to loft a pass to his winger but Jamayne Isaako gets in the passing lane and knocks the ball down. Roosters reload and go inside the red zone.

51 min: Jeremy Marshall-King comes up with a high tackle on Siua Wong to allow the Roosters an easy exit from their own end.

46 min: Daly Cherry-Evans dinks a kick across field and Mark Nawaqanitawase gathers the ball and somehow manages to get a freakish pass back inside for Rob Toia who beats three defenders and crashes over. Sam Walker converts. Roosters 22-10

43 min: James Tedesco can't handle an Isaiya Katoa bomb, the ball spills to Jack Bostock who knocks it back to Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and on to Jamayne Isaako who goes over in the corner to complete his double and the Phins are back in business. Isaako pulls the conversion. Roosters 16-10

Perfect record: The Roosters are 12-0 when leading at half-time in 2026 and are 40 minutes away from returning to the grand final for the first time since 2019.

Half-time: The Roosters take a 10-point lead to the break on the back of a devastating burst that produced three tries in 10 minutes. The Roosters completed 17 of 21 sets at 80 per cent and were led by 199 run metres from Mark Nawaqanitawase and a stirring opening burst from Naufahu Whyte.

39 min: A poor last-tackle kick by Isaiya Katoa is swallowed up by James Tedesco and the Roosters come away.

38 min: A high shot by Victor Radley on Herbie Farnworth invites the Dolphins into the red zone for a shot at late points.

34 min: Jamayne Isaako takes a cut-out pass from Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow and launches himself for the corner. He puts the ball down inches inside the sideline with Daniel Tupou trying desperately to push him out but the try is confirmed and the Phins have hit back. Isaako converts from touch. Roosters 16-6

33 min: Isaiya Katoa goes to the boot and Victor Radley can't make the catch. Dolphins scrum 10m out.

32 min: Jack Bostock also leaves the field for a HIA after an earlier incident. He passes the HIA and is able to return.

32 min: Connor Watson leaves the field for a HIA after copping a hip to the head in a scrap for a loose ball. He is deemed a Category One and is ruled out.

31 min: Jack Bostock flies for a bomb and knocks it on. The referee rules a turnover but the Dolphins challenge and the bunker rules Daniel Tupou had made contact with Bostock over the shoulder while he was in the air. The Dolphins go on the attack.

30 min: Victor Radley is penalised and placed on report for a hip drop on Herbie Farnworth.

28 min: Angus Crichton and Nat Butcher enter the game off the bench as the Roosters make their first changes of the night. Naufahu Whyte goes off with 119 metres from 10 runs after a superb opening stint.

27 min: The Roosters make it a triple strike as Daniel Tupou flies over the top of Jamayne Isaako to bring down a pinpoint Sam Walker kick and cross for the 198th try of his glittering career. Walker fails to convert. Roosters 16-0

25 min: Morgan Knowles' high shot on Mark Nawaqanitawase hands the Roosters easy passage out of their own end.

24 min: Reece Robson out of dummy half with a pass for a charging Victor Radley who gets between Max Plath and Kurt Donoghoe and scores next to the posts. Sam Walker lands the easy conversion. Roosters 12-0

21 min: A mistake by Kurt Donoghoe in a Salesi Foketi tackle has the Roosters hot on attack from 20m out.

20 min: Herbie Farnworth and Selwyn Cobbo combine to snuff out a Roosters opportunity as they ride Siua Wong into the turf and he puts the ball down.

18 min: Mark Nawaqanitawase picks off a Herbie Farnworth pass on the Roosters' 10m line and races 90 metres to post the opening try of the night. Another huge play from Nawaqanitawase with the Dolphins threatening to post first points and he comes up with a superb intercept. Sam Walker converts. Roosters 6-0

On report: Reece Robson has been placed on report for dropping his knees into Tom Gilbert on the deck.

16 min: The first penalty of the night goes against the Roosters for ruck interference and the Phins go inside the red zone.

15 min: Both sides are 7 from 7 at this stage as we trade sets but Naufahu Whyte spoils the Roosters' perfect start with a loose offload which is fallen on by Tom Gilbert.

11 min: Jack Bostock and James Tedesco contest a bomb but the Dolphins centre knocks it on and the Roosters come away from their own 20m line.

9 min: Another Sam Walker bomb but the Roosters knock it on in the aerial contest. Dolphins come out of trouble.

7 min: Daly Cherry-Evans hoists high from 40m out but Selwyn Cobbo is up to the task and makes the catch.

On report: Dolphins halfback Isaiya Katoa has been placed on report for a hip drop tackle.

3 min: Sam Walker's kick towards the left-hand corner is too deep and easily taken by Jamayne Isaako. Seven-tackle set for the Dolphins.

 

6.50pm: Sam Walker is in the house. The returning Roosters halfback looks cool and calm as he enters The Cauldron for the preliminary final - his first game since suffering a syndesmosis injury in Round 26. "He trained fully this week - contact, stepping, agility. He ticked all the boxes and looked awesome," skipper James Tedesco told Fox League.

Late Mail

Dolphins: The Dolphins have added Jake Averillo to their six-man bench 90 minutes before kick-off with Felise Kaufusi dropping out. Prop Tom Flegler failed a HIA early in the match against the Warriors in week one of the finals but has cleared the concussion protocols and will line up on Friday. 

Roosters: The Roosters are 1-19 with no late changes. Halfback Sam Walker is back on deck just 24 days after suffering a syndesmosis injury against the Dolphins. The 24-year-old will also resume the goalkicking duties from Hugo Savala, who moves to the bench. Big guns James Tedesco and Daly Cherry-Evans missed training on Monday due to illness but are good to go. Egan Butcher is listed among the reserves after coming through the concussion protocols following a failed HIA in the qualifying final against Penrith. 

Numbers Game

• The Dolphins won both regular season games against the Roosters in 2026 (48-10 in Round 15 and 26-12 in Round 26).
• The Roosters have won eight preliminary finals since 2000.
• The Dolphins have won their last eight games at Suncorp Stadium.
• Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has scored five tries in three games against the Dolphins.
• Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako requires two points for 300 for the season.