Roosters vs Knights Team Lists: NRL Grand Final Ins & Outs

The Roosters vs Knights grand final team lists are in, with Harrison Graham set to start at hooker for the suspended Phoenix Crossland and Connor Watson racing to be cleared for the Roosters bench before Sunday night’s decider at Accor Stadium.

The Roosters have named an unchanged squad from the side that beat the Dolphins, while Newcastle named Crossland at No.9 on Tuesday before the judiciary banned him for four matches for his hip-drop tackle on Nathan Cleary. NRL.com’s updated team news now lists Graham at hooker. The Knights are chasing the third premiership in club history in their first grand final since 2001, while the Roosters are into their first decider since 2019.

Kick-off is 7:30pm AEST on Sunday, live on Nine, with Adam Gee to referee, according to NRL.com.

Roosters vs Knights: The Teams

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco, 2. Daniel Tupou, 3. Billy Smith, 4. Robert Toia, 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase, 6. Daly Cherry-Evans, 7. Sam Walker, 8. Naufahu Whyte, 9. Reece Robson, 10. Lindsay Collins, 11. Salesi Foketi, 12. Siua Wong, 13. Victor Radley. Interchange: 14. Connor Watson, 15. Angus Crichton, 16. Nat Butcher, 17. Spencer Leniu, 18. Hugo Savala, 19. Cody Ramsey. Reserves: 20. Benaiah Ioelu, 21. Tommy Talau, 22. Egan Butcher.

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga, 2. Dominic Young, 3. Dane Gagai, 4. Bradman Best, 5. Greg Marzhew, 6. Fletcher Sharpe, 7. Sandon Smith, 8. Tyson Frizell, 9. Harrison Graham, 10. Cody Hopwood, 11. Jermaine McEwen, 12. Francis Manuleleua, 13. Mat Croker. Interchange: 15. Lachlan Crouch, 16. Pasami Saulo, 17. Dylan Lucas, 18. Fletcher Hunt, 19. Thomas Cant, 20. Kyle McCarthy. Reserves: 21. Diesel Hagan, 22. Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana.

Squads as listed on NRL.com after Tuesday night’s judiciary hearing. NRL.com said one of Hagan, McCarthy or Salesa-Leaumoana will be added to Newcastle’s six-man bench.

Biggest Winners – Roosters

Mark Nawaqanitawase

Nawaqanitawase has scored five tries in his last three games, according to NRL.com’s Stat Attack, and keeps his place on the Roosters’ wing.

Our Tip: Mark Nawaqanitawase – Anytime Try Scorer

Roosters’ squad continuity

The Roosters are unchanged from the side that beat the Dolphins, and NRL.com notes they have won their last six games against the Knights. Prop Lindsay Collins will also bring up his 150th NRL appearance.

Betting Impact: The Roosters’ recent record in this match-up supports them in the head-to-head market, but grand finals rarely follow the form guide, so weigh the line carefully.

Biggest Losers – Roosters

Connor Watson

Watson failed a head injury assessment in the preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium but has been named on the bench and will see an independent neurologist on Thursday in a bid to be cleared, NRL.com reported.

Betting Impact: Avoid Watson’s player markets until he is cleared.

Biggest Winners – Knights

Harrison Graham

Graham steps in at hooker for the suspended Crossland, a role he filled in Round 26 when Crossland was out with a knee injury, according to NRL.com. Fox Sports reported the grand final is expected to be just his third start of the season.

Betting Impact: A full 80 minutes at hooker puts Graham in the frame for tackle markets.

Dominic Young

Young has scored five tries in three games at Accor Stadium this season, according to NRL.com.

Our Tip: Dominic Young – Anytime Try Scorer

Diesel Hagan

The 19-year-old is one of three reserves in the mix for the bench spot. ABC News noted Hagan could become the first player in 90 years to make his NRL debut in a grand final, after Eddie Lockhart did it for Balmain in 1936.

Betting Impact: Wait for Newcastle’s final 17 before considering any bench-player markets.

Biggest Losers – Knights

Phoenix Crossland

The Knights lose their starting hooker after the judiciary handed Crossland a four-match ban. His absence costs Newcastle their first-choice No.9 and forces a reshuffle on the bench, as TSB explained before the judiciary hearing.

Betting Impact: Graham and the Newcastle bench carry more of the load in the middle, so be cautious with Knights markets that relied on Crossland’s minutes.

Grand final experience

NRL.com’s Stat Attack notes the Knights have only one player with grand final experience, Dane Gagai. Newcastle are also aiming to become the first team since Western Suburbs in 1934 to go from last to first.

Betting Impact: Newcastle’s inexperience and the Roosters’ six-game winning streak in this match-up make the Knights a riskier head-to-head option, though they have already beaten the odds to get here.

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