NRL preliminary final live updates: Dolphins vs Sydney Roosters

Victor Radley of the Roosters celebrates with team mates after scoring a try during NRL Preliminary Final match between the Dolphins and Sydney Roosters at Suncorp Stadium on September 25, 2026, in Brisbane, Australia. ( Getty Images: Matt Roberts )

Link copied Share Share article Sydney Roosters are through to their first NRL grand final in seven years after Mark Nawaqanitawase genius and a miracle Sam Walker injury comeback inspired a 36-20 demolition of the Dolphins.

The Roosters shot out to a 16-0 lead inside 27 minutes in front of a sold-out preliminary final crowd of 52,286 at Lang Park on Friday night.

Their defensive grit on the tryline, a feature of their finals campaign, limited the damage from a mini-Dolphins comeback, but two-try hero Nawaqanitawase has a box of unlimited magic tricks that he unfurled with a wow factor rarely seen on a rugby league field.