NRL 2026, Finals week 1, late mail, injuries, updates, 90 mins, 24 hours, late changes

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Thu 10 Sep 2026, 04:56 PM

Gun forwards Jackson Ford and Angus Crichton return from long-term injuries for this weekend's qualifying finals and both are a chance for a call-up to the starting side.

Ford started in the middle in 13 of his 14 matches before suffering a pectoral injury in Round 16 while Crichton was part of Trent Robinson's starting side in his 13 matches before succumbing to a foot injury.

A host of big-name stars return after being rested in Round 27, including Sharks quartet Nicho Hynes, Blayke Brailey, KL Iro and Teig Wilton, while playmaker Braydon Trindall is back after two games out with a shoulder injury.

See all the late mail, official team news and updates for Week 1 of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series.

NRL Late Mail: Finals Week 1

Rabbitohs v Knights, Friday 7.50pm at Allianz Stadium

Finals Week 1 - Finals Week 1 - Friday 11 Sep

9:50 am

Rabbitohs

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Rabbitohs is number 1 Matthew Dufty

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 2 Alex Johnston

Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 3 Latrell Mitchell

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Rabbitohs is number 4 Jack Wighton

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Rabbitohs is number 5 Campbell Graham

Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
Five-Eighth for Rabbitohs is number 6 Cody Walker

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
Halfback for Rabbitohs is number 7 Jayden Sullivan

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Sandon Smith

Forwards

Prop for Rabbitohs is number 8 Tevita Tatola

Prop for Knights is number 8 Tyson Frizell
Hooker for Rabbitohs is number 9 Brandon Smith

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
Prop for Rabbitohs is number 10 Keaon Koloamatangi

Prop for Knights is number 10 Cody Hopwood
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 11 David Fifita

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Jermaine McEwen
2nd Row for Rabbitohs is number 12 Tallis Duncan

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Francis Manuleleua
Lock for Rabbitohs is number 13 Cameron Murray

Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker

Interchange

Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 14 Jye Gray

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Harrison Graham
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 15 Lachlan Hubner

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Lachlan Crouch
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 16 Sean Keppie

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami Saulo
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 17 Jamie Humphreys

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Thomas Cant
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 18 Adam Elliott

Interchange for Knights is number 18 Fletcher Hunt
Interchange for Rabbitohs is number 19 Latrell Siegwalt

Interchange for Knights is number 19 Toby Winter

Reserves

Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 20 Liam Le Blanc

Reserve for Knights is number 20 Kyle McCarthy
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 21 Talanoa Penitani

Reserve for Knights is number 21 Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
Reserve for Rabbitohs is number 22 Peter Mamouzelos

Reserve for Knights is number 22 Diesel Hagan

Liam Le Blanc
Peter Mamouzelos
Talanoa Penitani
Tallis Duncan

Dominic Young
Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
Kyle McCarthy
Phoenix Crossland
Tyson Frizell

Euan Aitken
Jai Arrow

Jacob Saifiti
Trey Mooney

Match Officials

Referee: Ashley Klein
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Touch Judge: Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 9/10/2026 4:40:32 AM

Rabbitohs: After starting eight games in a row at fullback from Round 19-26, Matt Dufty was an unused reserve last week, with Jye Gray getting the nod. With Souths' season on the line, Dufty is back in the No.1 jersey for his first NRL finals appearance since 2018 with the Dragons against Souths. Tallis Duncan returns after sitting out the Roosters game due to hamstring tightness so Adam Elliott reverts to the bench.

Knights: Edge forward Francis Manuleleua has shown great powers of recovery to return just a fortnight after dislocating his shoulder. Dom Young and Tyson Frizell return from suspension and hooker Phoenix Crossland is good to go after cleanout surgery on his knee. Greg Marzhew needs one try to equal fellow winger Dom Young's club record of 25 tries in a season set in 2023.

Warriors v Dolphins, Saturday 4.05pm (AEST), 6.05pm (local time) at Go Media Stadium

Finals Week 1 - Finals Week 1 - Saturday 12 Sep

6:05 am

Warriors

Dolphins

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Taine Tuaupiki

Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad

Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Ali Leiataua

Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Jack Bostock
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Leka Halasima

Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Alofiana Khan-Pereira

Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Chanel Harris-Tavita

Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Te Maire Martin

Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 James Fisher-Harris

Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Thomas Flegler
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Wayde Egan

Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Mitchell Barnett

Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Tom Gilbert
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Kurt Capewell

2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Max Plath
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Jacob Laban

2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Erin Clark

Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Morgan Knowles

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Sam Healey

Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Kurt Donoghoe
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Tanner Stowers-Smith

Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Ray Stone
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Demitric Vaimauga

Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Francis Molo
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Jackson Ford

Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Connelly Lemuelu
Interchange for Warriors is number 18 Eddie Ieremia-Toeava

Interchange for Dolphins is number 18 Felise Kaufusi
Interchange for Warriors is number 20 Adam Pompey

Interchange for Dolphins is number 19 Bradley Schneider

Reserves

Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Jett Cleary

Reserve for Dolphins is number 20 Jake Averillo
Reserve for Warriors is number 22 Luke Laulilii

Reserve for Dolphins is number 21 Brian Pouniu
Reserve for Warriors is number 23 Makaia Tafua

Reserve for Dolphins is number 22 Tevita Naufahu

Jackson Ford
Kurt Capewell
Leka Halasima
Luke Laulilii
Wayde Egan

Kodi Nikorima
Kulikefu Finefeuiaki
Selwyn Cobbo

Jye Linnane
Morgan Gannon

Match Officials

Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 9/8/2026 6:20:32 AM

Warriors: A huge in for the Wahs with Jackson Ford named for his first game since suffering a pectoral injury against the Cowboys in Round 16. Ford is listed on the bench but could be called into the starting side closer to game day. Centre Leka Halasima is back from an ankle injury while rested duo Wayde Egan and Kurt Capewell also return. Sam Healey, Adam Pompey and Eddie Ieremia-Toeava revert to the six-man interchange. The Warriors have won eight from 10 at Go Media Stadium this season.

Dolphins: Winger Selwyn Cobbo (ankle), back-rower Kulikefu Finefeuiaki (knee) and five-eighth Kodi Nikorima (hamstring) are all back on deck after being given last week off to overcome niggling injuries. Jake Averillo, Brian Pouniu and Tevita Naufahu all drop to the reserves.

Sharks v Cowboys, Saturday 7.50pm at Allianz Stadium

Finals Week 1 - Finals Week 1 - Saturday 12 Sep

9:50 am

Sharks

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 William Kennedy

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Scott Drinkwater
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Sione Katoa

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Braidon Burns
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Riley Jones

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Jaxon Purdue
Centre for Sharks is number 4 KL Iro

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Tom Chester
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Ronaldo Mulitalo

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Zac Laybutt
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Braydon Trindall

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Jake Clifford
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Nicho Hynes

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tom Dearden

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Addin Fonua-Blake

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Griffin Neame
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Blayke Brailey

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Reed Mahoney
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Jesse Colquhoun

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Jason Taumalolo
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Briton Nikora

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Heilum Luki
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Teig Wilton

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Jeremiah Nanai
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Cameron McInnes

Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Reuben Cotter

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Siosifa Talakai

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Soni Luke
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Billy Burns

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 John Bateman
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Oregon Kaufusi

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Thomas Mikaele
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Thomas Hazelton

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Coen Hess
Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Hohepa Puru

Interchange for Cowboys is number 18 Kaiden Lahrs
Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Toby Rudolf

Interchange for Cowboys is number 19 Ethan King

Reserves

Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Niwhai Puru

Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Kai O'Donnell
Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Samuel Stonestreet

Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Sam McIntyre
Reserve for Sharks is number 22 Mawene Hiroti

Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Liam Sutton

Blayke Brailey
Braydon Trindall
Mawene Hiroti
Nicho Hynes
Teig Wilton
Thomas Hazelton

Griffin Neame
Jeremiah Nanai
Liam Sutton
Zac Laybutt

Braden Uele
Michael Gabrael
Riley Pollard

Robert Derby

Match Officials

Referee: Grant Atkins
Touch Judge: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 9/9/2026 2:20:31 AM

Sharks: Playmaker Braydon Trindall will have his shoulder heavily strapped but he is ready to tackle the Cowboys after missing the last two games. Nicho Hynes, Blayke Brailey, KL Iro and Teig Wilton are all back on deck after a rest in Round 27. Prop Tom Hazelton has served a one-game ban for dangerous contact and returns on the bench. The Sharks have won 14 of their last 17 games against the Cowboys.

Cowboys: A win at the judiciary for the Cowboys with co-captain Reuben Cotter getting a downgrade on a careless high tackle charge and copping a fine rather than a ban. Prop Griffin Neame (toe), back-rower Jeremiah Nanai (knee) and winger Zac Laybutt (concussion) all return so Coen Hess and John Bateman slide to the bench. Winger Braidon Burns will make his 100th NRL appearance.

Panthers v Roosters, Sunday 4.05pm at CommBank Stadium

Finals Week 1 - Finals Week 1 - Sunday 13 Sep

6:05 am

Panthers

Roosters

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas Jenkins

Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Luke Garner

Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean

Centre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o

Winger for Roosters is number 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack Cole

Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Hugo Savala
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary

Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Daly Cherry-Evans

Forwards

Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu Whyte
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny

Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Reece Robson
Prop for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith

Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i

2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Salesi Foketi
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin

2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley

Interchange

Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Freddy Lussick

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott Sorensen

Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Spencer Leniu
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam Henry

Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Billy Phillips

Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Angus Crichton
Interchange for Panthers is number 18 Blaize Talagi

Interchange for Roosters is number 18 Cody Ramsey
Interchange for Panthers is number 19 Billy Scott

Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Tommy Talau

Reserves

Reserve for Panthers is number 20 Luron Patea

Reserve for Roosters is number 20 Egan Butcher
Reserve for Panthers is number 21 Kalani Leuluai-Going

Reserve for Roosters is number 21 Benaiah Ioelu
Reserve for Panthers is number 22 Jesse McLean

Reserve for Roosters is number 22 Taylor Losalu

Jesse McLean
Kalani Leuluai-Going
Scott Sorensen

Angus Crichton
Billy Smith
Daly Cherry-Evans
Hugo Savala
James Tedesco
Lindsay Collins
Mark Nawaqanitawase
Nat Butcher
Naufahu Whyte
Reece Robson
Robert Toia
Siua Wong
Victor Radley

Aston Warwick
De La Salle Va'a
Fetalaiga Pauga
Hayden Barton
Jake Elliott
Lui Lee
Reece Foley
Rex Bassingthwaighte
Toby Rodwell
Tom Rodwell

Match Officials

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond

Last updated: 9/10/2026 12:40:32 AM

Panthers: Skipper Isaah Yeo returns to the starting side in his second game back from a pectoral injury so Lindsay Smith shifts to prop and Liam Henry goes to the bench. Scott Sorensen re-joins the bench after he was rested last following a gruelling campaign in which he had played every match. The Panthers have won 12 of their last 14 games against the Roosters.

Roosters: Angus Crichton joins the bench after 11 games out with a foot injury while Victor Radley returns from concussion in another boost. Premiership winner Daly Cherry-Evans takes over at halfback with Sam Walker gone for the season and will team with Hugo Savala in the No.6. Captain James Tedesco is back in the No.1 jersey after an unsettled end to the season which saw him miss three games with an ankle injury before returning for one game and then being rested last week.