Grand final awaits: Dolphins v Roosters
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A packed house at Suncorp Stadium will ensure a State of Origin style atmosphere for the showdown of one of the game's foundation clubs and the NRL's youngest club.
The Roosters have 15 premierships to their name across a proud 118-year history, while the new boys from Redcliffe are in just their fourth season in the big time and are playing their second finals match.
Welcome to the Preliminary Finals!
So many epic battles across the park from Selwyn Cobbo up against Mark Nawaqanitawase, to Sam Walker and Isaiya Katoa in the halves, and Naufahu Whyte and Tom Flegler ripping into it in the middle.
An epic David v Goliath battle in The Cauldron - it doesn't get any better than this with a berth in the 2026 grand final awaiting the winner.
Follow all the NRL Telstra Premiership Preliminary Final action on NRL.com's live blog.
Dolphins v Roosters at Suncorp Stadium
Match: Dolphins v Roosters
Finals Week 3 -
home Team
Dolphins
3rd Position
away Team
Roosters
4th Position
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Dolphins v Roosters: Finals Week 3
6.50pm: Sam Walker is in the house. The returning Roosters halfback looks cool and calm as he enters The Cauldron for the preliminary final - his first game since suffering a syndesmosis injury in Round 26. "He trained fully this week - contact, stepping, agility. He ticked all the boxes and looked awesome," skipper James Tedesco told Fox League.
Late Mail
Dolphins: The Dolphins have added Jake Averillo to their six-man bench 90 minutes before kick-off with Felise Kaufusi dropping out. Prop Tom Flegler failed a HIA early in the match against the Warriors in week one of the finals but has cleared the concussion protocols and will line up on Friday.
Roosters: The Roosters are 1-19 with no late changes. Halfback Sam Walker is 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 are good to go. Egan Butcher is listed among the reserves after coming through the concussion protocols following a failed HIA in the qualifying final against Penrith.
Numbers Game
- The Dolphins won both regular season games against the Roosters in 2026 (48-10 in Round 15 and 26-12 in Round 26).
- The Roosters have won eight preliminary finals since 2000.
- The Dolphins have won their last eight games at Suncorp Stadium.
- Roosters winger Mark Nawaqanitawase has scored five tries in three games against the Dolphins.
- Dolphins winger Jamayne Isaako requires two points for 300 for the season.
