Roosters edge Knights 19-18 to win NRL grand final

The Sydney Roosters defeated the Newcastle Knights 19-18 in the NRL grand final, with a late field goal from Daly Cherry-Evans deciding a closely contested match. Newcastle made a strong start and led in the second half, but the Roosters controlled much of the territory after the interval. The Knights had only six tackles inside the opposition half compared with 51 for the Roosters.

Cherry-Evans, playing his final NRL match, put the Roosters ahead with the field goal. The victory followed tries from Mark Nawaqanitawase and Billy Smith, while Nawaqanitawase scored twice. The Roosters’ direct attack through the middle repeatedly forced Newcastle to defend near its own line.

The Knights continued to resist and scored late through Greg Marzhew, but could not find another score before the final siren. Newcastle’s Kalyn Ponga had earlier produced one of the match’s defining moments, running 95 metres to score after intercepting a loose ball. Ponga also made a try-saving effort in the first half and was central to Newcastle’s attempt to overturn the Roosters’ pressure.

Francis Manuleleua scored the Knights’ opening try, while the side also relied on repeated defensive efforts to stay in contention. The Roosters’ James Tedesco was awarded the Clive Churchill Medal. His team’s forwards, including Naufahu Whyte and Spencer Leniu, helped establish the platform for the second-half pressure.

Newcastle had chances to hold out the premiers and came close to forcing a different result, but the narrow defeat ended its bid for a premiership. Ponga was close to tears after the match, while young players including Manuleleua and Cody Hopwood were praised for their efforts in defeat. The result gave Cherry-Evans a premiership in his final NRL appearance.