The Sydney Roosters are back in the NRL grand final for the first time since 2019 after a commanding 36-20 victory over the Dolphins at a sold-out Suncorp Stadium on Friday night. In front of 52,286 fans, Mark Nawaqanitawase produced the kind of highlight-reel brilliance that has defined his short but unforgettable rugby league career, scoring two tries, setting up another, and running for over 300 metres in a performance that sealed the Tricolours’ place in the decider.
This was more than just a preliminary final win. It was the closing chapter of one of the most remarkable individual stories in recent NRL history and the end of a fairytale run for the league’s newest franchise.
NAWAQANITAWASE REWRITES THE SCRIPT WITH ANOTHER MASTERCLASS
From the moment the dual international stepped onto the field in the red, white and blue, the Dolphins knew they were in for a long night. The decisive moment arrived in the 18th minute. With the Dolphins threatening to open the scoring, centre Herbie Farnworth hesitated on a pass that would have put Selwyn Cobbo over. Nawaqanitawase read it perfectly, intercepted, and raced 90 metres to score. The Roosters never looked back.
He wasn’t finished. Later, under a Daly Cherry-Evans cross-field kick near the sideline, Nawaqanitawase somehow stayed in the field of play long enough to shovel a pass inside for Robert Toia to crash over. Then, approaching the hour mark, he powered over for his second try after a long cut-out from Victor Radley. By full-time he had added another intercept to close out the contest.
These moments weren’t isolated. They formed part of a consistent pattern. Nawaqanitawase has scored at a staggering rate since switching codes, and this prelim final performance ranked among his very best. His combination of power, footwork, and pure football instinct has made him one of the most watchable players in the competition. League fans know they only have one more game left of him before he returns to rugby union and the Wallabies’ World Cup campaign. That knowledge made every dazzling play feel more precious.
SAM WALKER’S RETURN CHANGES THE TEMPO
While Nawaqanitawase provided the magic, Sam Walker supplied the control. Returning from a syndesmosis injury, the halfback orchestrated the Roosters with composure and vision. He scored a try of his own and constantly asked questions of the Dolphins’ defensive line. His presence allowed the Roosters to play with structure and tempo that the Dolphins struggled to match for long periods.
Trent Robinson’s side built a 16-0 lead inside 27 minutes and showed the defensive resolve that has marked their finals campaign. Even when Jamayne Isaako scored either side of half-time to give the Dolphins brief hope, the Roosters absorbed the pressure and struck back clinically. Lindsay Collins crashed over from close range, and the scoreboard soon reflected the gulf in execution.
WHY THIS WIN MATTERS FOR THE ROOSTERS
This result carries significant weight. It is the Roosters’ first grand final appearance in seven years and hands Robinson a fourth shot at a premiership in 14 seasons. For a club that measures success by silverware, the opportunity to claim a third title in nine years is massive.
James Tedesco continues to lead from the front. Victor Radley’s long passes and physical presence remain central to their attacking shape. And with Nawaqanitawase still available for one more week, the Roosters possess a genuine X-factor that few sides can match. They will face either Penrith or Newcastle in next Sunday’s grand final at Accor Stadium knowing they have already proven themselves under pressure.
The win also highlights the depth and culture Robinson has built. Even with Connor Watson ruled out of the grand final after a category-one HIA, the squad found answers. That resilience will be tested again in seven days.
THE DOLPHINS’ FAIRYTALE ENDS BUT THE FOUNDATION REMAINS
For the Dolphins, the loss stings. In only their fourth NRL season they reached a preliminary final and gave a sold-out home crowd genuine hope of a maiden grand final appearance. Daly Cherry-Evans, in what could be his final season, continued to lead with class. Isaako’s consistent scoring made him just the fourth player in NRL history to crack 300 points in a season.
Yet the night exposed areas that still need refinement. Costly errors, moments of hesitation, and the inability to contain Nawaqanitawase proved decisive. Coach Kristian Woolf will take pride in how far the club has come while knowing the next step requires greater consistency in big moments.
The Dolphins have announced themselves as genuine contenders. That alone marks significant progress for a franchise that entered the competition as the newest expansion side. The fairytale may have ended at Suncorp, but the foundation for future success looks solid.
THE BIGGER PICTURE FOR RUGBY LEAGUE
Nawaqanitawase’s impending departure to rugby union leaves a noticeable gap. Players of his entertainment value and match-winning ability do not come around often. His two years in the NRL have delivered highlight after highlight and reminded fans why the code can still produce genuine stars capable of capturing the imagination.
At the same time, the Roosters’ return to the grand final stage reinforces the enduring strength of traditional powerhouses when they find the right balance of experience and X-factor talent. Robinson’s side has looked sharp throughout the finals, and their ability to close out games under pressure will make them dangerous opponents next weekend.
For Cherry-Evans, the chance to finish his decorated career with another premiership remains alive. Few players have given more to the game over nearly two decades. A grand final appearance in his final season would be a fitting stage, regardless of the result.
WHAT COMES NEXT
The Roosters now prepare for the biggest game of the year. They will do so with belief, a star-studded backline, and the knowledge that they have already produced one of the most complete performances of their season. Nawaqanitawase still has one more week in the famous jersey. League supporters will be watching closely to see whether he can deliver one final piece of magic on the grandest stage of all.
The Dolphins head into the off-season with heads high and clear targets for improvement. Their rapid rise has been one of the stories of the competition. Reaching a preliminary final in year four sets a new benchmark for expansion clubs.
Friday night at Suncorp belonged to the Roosters and, above all, to Mark Nawaqanitawase. In a sport that thrives on moments of individual brilliance, he delivered a performance that will be replayed for years. The grand final now awaits. The Tricolours are ready.
