Billy Smith scores for the Roosters against the Newcastle Knights

The Sydney Roosters have claimed victory in the 2026 NRL Grand Final following a hard-fought contest against the Newcastle Knights. The match concluded with emotional scenes on the field as players from both sides reacted to the final result of the premiership decider.

The game remained tightly contested until the closing stages, characterized by a spirited performance from the Newcastle side. A late surge from the Knights saw the team strike in the dying minutes of the match, keeping their hopes alive until the final whistle.

A pivotal moment occurred when Smith muscled over the line to level the scores, intensifying the pressure on both teams as the clock wound down. Despite the late effort from Newcastle, the Roosters ultimately secured the win to take out the title.

Following the conclusion of the match, Roosters captain James Tedesco was visibly moved, appearing in tears after what was described as a colossal individual performance throughout the grand final.

Conversely, the atmosphere in the Newcastle camp was one of devastation. Knights star Kalyn Ponga expressed the depth of the team's disappointment, stating that the loss hurt significantly given the intensity of the battle.