1. NRL Grand Final. DCE was poised for a great end to his career. Nawaqanitawase, Watson, Crichton, DCE all disappear for 2027 - and maybe Sam Walker too. So much top level experience in this Roosters team: Collins, Tupou, Radley, Tedesco, Robson, Crichton, DCE v Frizzell, Gagai, Best and Ponga. Ball control and set completions were the name of the game. The Roosters excelled...DCE - 15 years after his first Grand Final. Incredible win, especially when everyone though the Panthers would win the comp by April.
So much pre-game hype and stories pre game as always. First one point Grand Final win since Cowboys v Broncos! Second back to back double: Brisbane Broncos Men and Brisbane NRLW last year and the Roosters now this year! (St George got the spoon in both in 2026).
The Roosters did too much aerial attack in the first half and needed to keep the ball in hand. Such a waste of natural talent and flair for their star studded team, but they worked it out. Nawanqanitawase is the supreme player. So tough and so clever. He wins it for them so often. He missed out to Alex Johnston and Tom Jenkins for Dally M Winger of the Year, but is the ultimate entertainment package. What a winner - he will be missed a lot!
Sam Walker's goal kicking was superb. Such an advantage when you can pot them from all points in big games. Not sure he is the $1.5M man however. No general play kick pressure on the Roosters cost the Knights. The momentum in the latter part of the first half that they enjoyed started there.
The Knights defence was great, but "brave" and "courageous" alone sadly doesn't win comps.
Two super joyful bounces for the Roosters...one that caused a drop out for Ponga at a critical time in the second half at 12-12...another that hit the posts for the Roosters' final try. That is footy. The bounce favoured Newcastle in the first half.
Trent Robinson joins the legend coaches with four premiership wins (joining Provan, Churchill, Sheens and Cleary). They also lost by 50 in the competition and still won the comp! First club to do so.
Trent's focus on family and connections is again paying dividends, reshaping the team massively when Luke Keary, Jarryd Warea-Hargreaves, Joseph Su'a'lili, Joey Manu, Sandon Smith, Brandon Smith and Chad Townsend all left at the end of 2025.
Toia kept Best quiet all night. Whyte was awesome. Tedesco dominated... he will have no regrets leaving the Tigers...nor will Robson (Cowboys) or DCE (Manly). Tupou has never regretted leaving Parramatta. Radley, Tupou, Leniu, Tedesco have all got four premierships now too.
A bad year for Steggles to give up the jersey sponsorship!
2. NRLW. Really enjoying the strengthening of the womens' game. Lots of improvement in the defence (incredible) and skill set in quick time! It is so good for the future of the game. Lots of girls are looking to play the game. Barely a high shot ever and no illegal tackles or wrestle. How footy used to be played. Olivia Kernick is a gun. SO tough and fair. Tarryn Aiken was the WOTM and takes the ball deep into the line to really confuse the opposition defence. She was the clear difference. A crushing defeat of the Broncos who are really talented too. Upton was really well contained.
3. NSW v QLD Cup. Fancy fronting up to that Dolphins team who absolutely crushed the Panthers 68-14 on Grand Final day... shows the recruitment of the Dolphins who have not paid overs for any player. They had Kafusi, Averillo, Trae Fuller and a host of other first graders. Too much for the young Panthers who had young Moi Moi and Buster Hindmarsh in their teams...Parramatta recruitment at its worst.
4. Wallabies. A great win v South Africa last Sunday night, but four sin bins in the last ten minutes? The game is a joke unfortunately and no one is queueing up for prime time viewing. A shame. Once upon a time the game was in such a better place.
5. Cricket. George Bailey's days are surely numbered as a selector and a Test career whacking by South Africa would bring a career change for him. Too high profile for a national selector. Nic Maddison is talented, but Australian player? McSweeney or Sangha would have been more deserving ...or Kurtis Patterson? Liam Scott is shortening as another national option. A wonderful journey from the Hunters Hill Pirates.
6. MLB PlayOffs. All underway after the wild card games. In the American League: White Sox v Guardians (1-0), Yankees v Rays (0-1) and the National League: Braves v Dodgers (0-1) and Brewers v Padres (1-0). All best out of five games. Travis Bazzana's Guardians will need to lift after a 0-3 loss in the first game.
