Newcastle 6 v Roosters 0: Knights strike first bloodRoosters players are too pre-occupied with Kalyn Ponga, allowing a decoy pass to put Francis Manuleleua over for the first points of the match. Try is converted and Newcastle lead 6-0Mat Croker knows he is in a grand finalThe Newcastle forward is crunched by Lindsay Collins and Naufahu Whyte, but the ref rules it high and the Knights get a critical penalty in valuable field positionTry-saving tackle from Dom YoungThe Knights winger’s desperate dive chops out Billy Smith’s legs and stops a certain try.What an eventful startThe ball hits the Spider Cam wire, Daly Cherry-Evans appeals for a 40-20 gone begging, Kalyn Ponga wants a penalty for a high shot and referee Adam Gee keeps this whistle firmly in his pocketAnd we are underway at Accor Stadium!Definitely sounds like a Newcastle home game, enormous amount of support as the 2026 NRL Grand Final kicks off with a solid set from the Roosters.A tribute to the victims of Newcastle car crashThose injured in the Newcastle crowd incident have been honoured at the NRL Grand Final, with a tribute to them and their loved ones. Aunty Julie Jones delivers Welcome to Country and star of Lion King The Musical Emily Gorman sings the National Anthem and we are just about underway.Ray ‘Rabs’ Warren delivers stirring introduction to tribute for MND fighter Jai ArrowHe may be retired from calling the biggest NRL games of the year, but Ray ‘Rabs’ Warren has delivered an emotional and stirring speech to the packed house at Accor Stadium, introducing the Aussie musicians paying tribute to Jai Arrow and his fight against MND. ‘The game for all. No matter who you are or where you’re from, rugby league unites us all. Heroes inspire dreams and prove that with heart and courage anything is possible. Tonight, $1 million will go to underprivileged children who can’t afford to play our great game so that every kid with a dream gets to chase it. And every kid with a hero has the chance to follow in their footsteps. ‘A hero like Jai Arrow Jai’s fight against MMD has reached far beyond the football field. It’s touched the hearts of millions around the world. He has and continues to inspire others facing difficult times. The way Jai has faced this challenge with his head held high, is showing us what true bravery really looks like. This is what our game is about. Strength, courage, community and making sure when life gets tough, someone is there beside you. ‘Jai. Tonight we stand with you and the many people you’ve inspired who are facing similar challenges. So wherever you are, please, if you’re able, be upstanding. Raise both arms high and make an Arrow. An Arrow for Jai. Jai, we stand with you and all those you’ve inspired, including former Wallaby Nathan Charles, because you will never walk alone.’Andrew Johns’ rallying cry for Newcastle supporters’It’s about our fans up here and over here. There’s been some really tough times in Newcastle, haven’t won a cup for 25 years, but the one common thread is these people here. That turn up week in, week out, wooden spoons getting smashed at home, but they come for hope, hoping that we’d knock over some of the big teams. Well, that hope is culminating with tonight. ‘So sit back and enjoy. It’s just an incredible atmosphere looking at our fans. And tonight a couple of two players who are representing our fans in our town is Sandon Smith now. Sandon. The semi-final series has been incredible. First week against South Sydney Cobden in New Zealand at Eden Park. He played as tough as they come, but then last week against Penrith it was a game of his life, two tries and in the end he saved the game for us with that intercept and he ran 90m. ‘Now on this side he’s the king. King Kalyn, our leader. Our captain, naturally gifted. We know how special he is, natural talent. He can do anything. But this year we’ve seen a hard edge putting his body on the line. That big shot last week on Moses Leota when the game was on the line. ‘Newcastle fans, wherever you are, whether you’re at the core or McDonald Jones Stadium, or at home or at a pubs and clubs, I don’t care where you are in the world, stand up. I want to hear that Newcastle chant.’Daly Cherry-Evans gives the final word for the Roosters’The longer turnaround I feel like really helped us. We were able to get extra recovery in and then build our week really nicely. So I feel like it was a great week of preparation. And now it’s just trusting that to go out and play,’ he said.’Great opposition. We respect them. We respect, obviously, the fact that they’re here, but the way that they’ve gotten here. So yeah, it’s not about any storyline for us tonight. It’s just about getting the job done.’Dancers believe Newcastle Can-Can make historyThe performers from Come What May – The Ultimate Tribute to Moulin Rouge have sent a special version of the iconic Can-Can – dressed completely in Newcastle Knights colours, to the local side ahead of the NRL Grand Final. Roosters dominate to claim NRLW grand final gloryThe Sydney Roosters have exacted revenge on Brisbane in emphatic fashion, crushing the Broncos 30-6 to claim the NRLW premiership at Accor Stadium.Knights spring selection surpriseThe Newcastle Knights have sprung a surprise just 75 minutes before kick-off, with Thomas Cant named to start at hooker in place of Phoenix Crossland for their historic NRL grand final clash with the Sydney Roosters.Crossland is serving a four-match ban for a tackle on Nathan Cleary that fractured his ankle.The late change for Newcastle sees Harrison Graham drop back to the bench, while Diesel Hagan remains among the reserves and is still a chance of making his NRL debut in the biggest game of the season.The Roosters have stuck with their expected line-up, with Connor Watson dropping out.The Knights under coach Justin Holbrook are chasing one of the greatest turnarounds in rugby league history, aiming to become the first team since the 1934 Western Suburbs Magpies to go from the wooden spoon to premiership glory in the space of one season.Kick-off is at 7.30pm AEDT at Accor Stadium.Key UpdatesNewcastle 6 v Roosters 0: Knights strike first bloodMat Croker knows he is in a grand finalTry-saving tackle from Dom YoungWhat an eventful startAnd we are underway at Accor Stadium!Ray ‘Rabs’ Warren delivers stirring introduction to tribute for MND fighter Jai ArrowAndrew Johns’ rallying cry for Newcastle supportersDaly Cherry-Evans gives the final word for the RoostersRoosters dominate to claim NRLW grand final gloryDolphins run riot ahead of NRL grand finalTOP STORIES