Paul Kent breaks down the 2026 NRL Grand Final as the Sydney Roosters edge the Newcastle Knights 19–18.

Kenty explains why Newcastle’s brave defence kept the contest alive, but the Roosters’ power through the middle, smart game management and big-match experience ultimately decided the premiership.

Plus, Daly Cherry-Evans’ field-goal moment, the impact of Phoenix Crossland’s absence, Trent Robinson’s coaching legacy, James Tedesco’s Clive Churchill Medal, Mark Nawaqanitawase’s final NRL game, Grand Final entertainment, and the Kangaroos squad.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 — Roosters v Knights: Grand Final overview

02:25 — Roosters’ physicality and Newcastle’s brave defence

04:55 — Phoenix Crossland’s absence felt at dummy-half

07:25 — Daly Cherry-Evans’ field goal and the Roosters’ halves partnership

09:30 — Why the Roosters signed DCE

12:00 — Trent Robinson, recruitment and the Roosters’ winning culture

15:00 — Robinson’s coaching legacy and future

18:00 — Grand Final officiating, consistency and key calls

25:00 — James Tedesco’s Clive Churchill Medal

27:00 — Roosters’ middle dominance and bringing collision back

28:30 — Farewell to Mark Nawaqanitawase

30:50 — The NRL Grand Final entertainment debate

35:30 — Kangaroos squad, new faces and World Cup plans

39:10 — Season wrap-up

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Paul Kent answers your biggest rugby league questions on Grand Final day.

Kenty breaks down Newcastle’s remarkable connection with its former players, why the Knights have such passionate support, and whether they can complete a fairytale run to the premiership.

He also discusses Nathan Cleary’s mental toughness after playing through injury, Phoenix Crossland’s Grand Final suspension, the hip-drop tackle debate, player development, Super League’s challenges and how the modern game compares with rugby league in the ’90s.

Plus, Kenty answers your questions on premiership rings, player recruitment, NRLW scheduling, short dropouts, expansion, the Knights’ attacking style and more.

⏱️ TIMESTAMPS

00:00 — Why Newcastle’s Old Boys Love the Club

03:00 — Who Deserves a Premiership Ring?

06:00 — Nathan Cleary’s Mental Toughness Through Injury

09:00 — Rugby League’s Toughest Players and Playing Through Pain

12:00 — Can Talent Really Be Identified and Developed?

15:00 — Player Value, Contracts and the Transfer Market

18:00 — Hip-Drop Tackles: Why the Debate Won’t Go Away

21:00 — Phoenix Crossland’s Ban and Grand Final Suspensions

24:00 — The Future of Super League

27:00 — Chris Heighington’s Remarkable Trial Story

30:00 — Injuries, Penrith and the Blaze Talagi Question

33:00 — NRLW Scheduling and Newcastle’s Grand Final Chance

36:00 — Why Rugby League Looked Better in the ’90s

39:00 — Newcastle’s Attacking Blueprint

42:00 — Short Dropouts, Expansion and Fan Questions

45:00 — Grand Final Predictions and Wrap-Up

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The big guns are together for a full NRL year-in-review. Paul Kent, James Hooper and Steve “Chimes” Gillis look back on the biggest stories, controversies, players and moments from the season then turn their attention to what’s ahead.

From the media debate, rule changes and the commission, to recruitment, expansion, Origin, the game’s best players and plenty of banter, this is the full-length Fanatics TV rugby league wrap.

Timecodes:

0:00 - Welcome and the year’s biggest talking points

1:00 - NRL media scrutiny and the “media cop” debate

5:00 - Broadcast rights, criticism and the media landscape

10:00 - Back in the game, FanAxe TV and Vegas

15:00 - The year’s controversies and league entertainment

20:00 - The NRL’s big-event approach and public reaction

25:00 - Peter V’landys, the commission and power in the game

30:00 - Six-again, fatigue and rule-change debate

35:00 - Breakout players, Origin and season standouts

40:00 - Judiciary calls, suspensions and dangerous tackles

45:00 - Club spending, development and roster-building

50:00 - Penrith’s recruitment and retention model

55:00 - Tigers, coaching pressure and player movement

1:00:00 - Payne Haas, South Sydney and Wayne Bennett

1:05:00 - Expansion: Queensland, New Zealand, Perth and Adelaide

1:10:00 - The game’s best players and premiership windows

1:15:00 - Super League, rugby union and international opportunities

1:20:00 - Leaks, media narratives and PNG’s entry

1:25:00 - State of Origin: Billy Slater, Laurie Daley and the future

1:30:00 - Off-field stories, recovery and closing banter

1:35:11 - End

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