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NRL Late Mail: Grand Final - Knights make shock switch

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sun 4 Oct 2026, 06:09 PM

The Knights have made a late switch at hooker with Thomas Cant starting the game and Harrison Graham sliding to the bench.

Graham was initially promoted to the starting side after Phoenix Crossland was suspended, but Cant will now start the game at dummy half.

Graham has come from the bench with great effect in 17 of his 19 games in 2026 and will most likely be thrown on after around 30 minutes.

Youngster Benaiah Ioelu has been added to the Roosters' six-man interchange bench for Sunday's grand final after Connor Watson was ruled out on Friday.

Watson suffered a head knock just one minute after coming on to the field in the preliminary final victory over the Dolphins on September 25 and was promptly ruled out of the remainder of the match.

With players typically placed into an 11-day stand-down period after a concussion, the Roosters sought clearance from an independent neurologist for Watson to line up in the grand final, which comes nine days after the head knock.

The request was denied and 22-year-old Ioelu comes into the 19 in his sixth game of the season and just the 18th of his career.

"Ultimately it came down to protocol and we stand by that," coach Trent Robinson said.

"Connor spoke to the group quite clearly about 'this is about the group' and he passed that on, and then the player who took his spot in the 19, Benaiah spoke about the love for Connor and what it means for his role coming into the team and that's what teams are about."

Official late mail, updates and injury news for the 2026 NRL Telstra Premiership Grand Final.

NRL Late Mail: Grand Final

Roosters v Knights, Sunday 7.30pm AEDT at Accor Stadium

Grand Final - Grand Final - Sunday 4 Oct

Full Time

Roosters

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 James Tedesco

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Kalyn Ponga
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Daniel Tupou

Winger for Knights is number 2 Dominic Young
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Billy Smith

Centre for Knights is number 3 Dane Gagai
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Robert Toia

Centre for Knights is number 4 Bradman Best
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Mark Nawaqanitawase

Winger for Knights is number 5 Greg Marzhew
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Daly Cherry-Evans

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Fletcher Sharpe
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Sam Walker

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Sandon Smith

Forwards

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Naufahu Whyte

Prop for Knights is number 8 Tyson Frizell
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Reece Robson

Hooker for Knights is number 19 Thomas Cant
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Lindsay Collins

Prop for Knights is number 10 Cody Hopwood
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Salesi Foketi

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Jermaine McEwen
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Siua Wong

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Francis Manuleleua
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Victor Radley

Lock for Knights is number 13 Mat Croker

Interchange

Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Angus Crichton

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Harrison Graham
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Nat Butcher

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Lachlan Crouch
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Spencer Leniu

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Pasami Saulo
Interchange for Knights is number 17 Dylan Lucas
Reserve for Roosters is number 18 Hugo Savala

Reserve for Knights is number 18 Fletcher Hunt
Reserve for Roosters is number 19 Cody Ramsey

Reserve for Knights is number 21 Diesel Hagan
Reserve for Roosters is number 20 Benaiah Ioelu

Match Officials

Referee: Adam Gee
Touch Judge: Tyson Brough
Touch Judge: Phil Henderson
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 10/4/2026 11:44:01 PM

Roosters: No further game day changes after Benaiah Ioelu joined the six-man bench on Friday when Connor Watson's late bid for a clearance to line up in the grand final was denied by an independent neurologist. In his last ever NRL game, Daly Cherry-Evans will become the oldest player in grand final history at 37 years and 183 days, surpassing the record set by Melbourne's Cameron Smith, who was 37 and 130 days old when he took the field against the Panthers in the 2020 decider. Egan Butcher remains in the squad as the reserve.

Roosters v Knights: Grand Final

Knights: A late change from Justin Holbrook with Thomas Cant to start the game at hooker and Harrison Graham reverting to the bench. Youngster Diesel Hagan has been added to the bench and could make his NRL debut. Kyle McCarthy has been omitted 90 minutes before kick-off. Star centre Bradman Best sat out training on Wednesday but that was merely a precaution and he is primed to press his claims for a Kangaroos jersey in a mouth-watering battle with Rob Toia.