NRL 2026, Late Mail, Preliminary Finals, team updates, injuries, late changes, 90 minutes, 24 hours

NRL Late Mail: Preliminary Finals - Walker '100 per cent' for return

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Thu 24 Sep 2026, 06:01 AM

Roosters coach Trent Robinson has confirmed that halfback Sam Walker has done "more than enough" to prepare himself for a comeback against the Dolphins.

Walker had syndesmosis surgery after suffering the injury in Round 26 and has missed the Roosters' past three games.

'The only reason that I would put Sam in is if I knew he was 100 per cent, and he's right," Robinson said on Wednesday.

"It hasn't been that long since he played and he got moving quite quickly after that operation so ready to play."

See all the late mail, official team news and updates for Week 3 of the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership Finals Series.

NRL Late Mail: Preliminary Finals

Dolphins v Roosters, Friday 7.50pm at Suncorp Stadium

Finals Week 3 - Finals Week 3 - Friday 25 Sep

9:50 am

Dolphins

Roosters

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dolphins is number 1 Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco
Winger for Dolphins is number 2 Jamayne Isaako

Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou
Centre for Dolphins is number 3 Jack Bostock

Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith
Centre for Dolphins is number 4 Herbie Farnworth

Centre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia
Winger for Dolphins is number 5 Selwyn Cobbo

Winger for Roosters is number 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase
Five-Eighth for Dolphins is number 6 Kodi Nikorima

Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Daly Cherry-Evans
Halfback for Dolphins is number 7 Isaiya Katoa

Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker

Forwards

Prop for Dolphins is number 8 Thomas Flegler

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu Whyte
Hooker for Dolphins is number 9 Jeremy Marshall-King

Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Reece Robson
Prop for Dolphins is number 10 Tom Gilbert

Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 11 Max Plath

2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Salesi Foketi
2nd Row for Dolphins is number 12 Kulikefu Finefeuiaki

2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong
Lock for Dolphins is number 13 Morgan Knowles

Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley

Interchange

Interchange for Dolphins is number 14 Kurt Donoghoe

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Connor Watson
Interchange for Dolphins is number 15 Ray Stone

Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Angus Crichton
Interchange for Dolphins is number 16 Francis Molo

Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher
Interchange for Dolphins is number 17 Connelly Lemuelu

Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Spencer Leniu
Interchange for Dolphins is number 18 Felise Kaufusi

Interchange for Roosters is number 18 Hugo Savala
Interchange for Dolphins is number 19 Bradley Schneider

Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Cody Ramsey

Reserves

Reserve for Dolphins is number 20 Jake Averillo

Reserve for Roosters is number 20 Egan Butcher
Reserve for Dolphins is number 21 Brian Pouniu

Reserve for Roosters is number 21 Tommy Talau
Reserve for Dolphins is number 22 Tevita Naufahu

Reserve for Roosters is number 22 Benaiah Ioelu

Brian Pouniu
Felise Kaufusi
Jake Averillo

Benaiah Ioelu
Egan Butcher
Sam Walker
Tommy Talau

Toby Rodwell

Match Officials

Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Touch Judge: Tyson Brough
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 9/23/2026 5:22:02 AM

Dolphins: Two-time premiership winner Felise Kaufusi is back in the fold for the do-or-die clash and brings 15 games of finals experience to the table. Five-eighth Kodi Nikorima (11) is the only other Dolphin with more than five finals appearances to his name. Kaufusi is back in Kristian Woolf's squad after two finals appearances with Redcliffe in Qld Cup. Prop Tom Flegler failed a HIA early in the match against the Warriors in week one but has cleared the concussion protocols and will line up on Friday.

Roosters: A huge boost for the Roosters with halfback Sam Walker back on deck just 24 days after suffering a syndesmosis injury against the Dolphins. The 24-year-old will also resume the goalkicking duties from Hugo Savala, who moves to the bench. Big guns James Tedesco and Daly Cherry-Evans missed training on Monday due to illness but coach Trent Robinson confirmed they would be good to go on Friday. Egan Butcher is listed among the reserves after coming through the concussion protocols following a failed HIA in the qualifying final against Penrith.

Get your preliminary final tickets HERE

Panthers v Knights, Sunday 4.00pm at Accor Stadium

Finals Week 3 - Finals Week 3 - Sunday 27 Sep

6:00 am

Panthers

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Panthers is number 1 Dylan Edwards

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
Winger for Panthers is number 2 Thomas Jenkins

Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
Centre for Panthers is number 3 Blaize Talagi

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Panthers is number 4 Casey McLean

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Panthers is number 5 Brian To'o

Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
Five-Eighth for Panthers is number 6 Jack Cole

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
Halfback for Panthers is number 7 Nathan Cleary

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Sandon Smith

Forwards

Prop for Panthers is number 8 Moses Leota

Prop for Knights is number 8 Tyson Frizell
Hooker for Panthers is number 9 Mitch Kenny

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Phoenix Crossland
Prop for Panthers is number 10 Lindsay Smith

Prop for Knights is number 10 Cody Hopwood
2nd Row for Panthers is number 11 Isaiah Papali'i

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Jermaine McEwen
2nd Row for Panthers is number 12 Liam Martin

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Francis Manuleleua
Lock for Panthers is number 13 Isaah Yeo

Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker

Interchange

Interchange for Panthers is number 14 Jack Cogger

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Harrison Graham
Interchange for Panthers is number 15 Scott Sorensen

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Lachlan Crouch
Interchange for Panthers is number 16 Liam Henry

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami Saulo
Interchange for Panthers is number 17 Billy Phillips

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Dylan Lucas
Interchange for Panthers is number 18 Luke Garner

Interchange for Knights is number 18 Fletcher Hunt
Interchange for Panthers is number 19 Billy Scott

Interchange for Knights is number 19 Thomas Cant

Reserves

Reserve for Panthers is number 20 Luron Patea

Reserve for Knights is number 20 Kyle McCarthy
Reserve for Panthers is number 21 Freddy Lussick

Reserve for Knights is number 21 Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
Reserve for Panthers is number 22 Izack Tago

Reserve for Knights is number 22 Toby Winter

Izack Tago
Jack Cogger
Luke Garner
Luron Patea

Elijah Salesa-Leaumoana
Kyle McCarthy
Toby Winter

Jesse McLean

Match Officials

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judge: Matt Noyen
Touch Judge: Daniel Luttringer
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 9/23/2026 4:01:03 AM

Panthers: Superstar halfback Nathan Cleary will play through the pain of a foot injury as he looks to guide the Panthers into a sixth grand final in seven years. Cleary has worked around the clock on rehab after suffering the injury in the win over the Roosters in week one. Jack Cogger returns from a three-game suspension and has been added to the bench along with Luke Garner, who was a late withdrawal a fortnight ago with a groin strain. Izack Tago is listed among the reserves as he chases a return from a knee injury.

Knights: Coach Justin Holbrook goes with the same 19-man squad that stunned the Warriors at Eden Park to progress to their first preliminary final since 2013. Back-rower Dylan Lucas got through 14 minutes in his comeback from a fractured ankle and has again been named on the bench, although a late call-up to the starting side could be on the cards. The Knights boast 92 games of finals experience compared to the Panthers' 233.