NRL 2026 – Finals week three preview, predictions and tips
Just four teams remain in the battle to be NRL Premiers for 2026. The Sharks limped out in a 46-10 thrashing by a resurgent Roosters, before the Warriors came up just short at a sold out Eden Park in a 12-10 loss to the Knights.
The Dolphins and the Panthers will be well rested after their victories in week one, but as always, anything’s possible this weekend…
*All odds are taken from Sky Bet and correct at time of writing on 24th September 2026.
Friday 25th September – The Dolphins vs Sydney Roosters
Form guide
The Dolphins had the weekend off last time out, after their 26-16 win over the Warriors in week one. It’s been a remarkable year for the Queenslanders, who finished the regular season in 3rd. It’s their first ever Finals campaign in just their fourth season as an NRL team.
The Roosters ended a run of four straight losses with a 46-10 thrashing of the Sharks last weekend. They finished 4th at the end of the regular season, whoch meant a second bite of the cherry after a 19-12 loss to the Panthers in week one of the Finals.
Team news
Dolphins team: 1. Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow 2. Jamayne Isaako 3. Jack Bostock 4. Herbie Farnworth 5. Selwyn Cobbo 6. Kodi Nikorima 7. Isaiya Katoa 8. Tom Flegler 9. Jeremy Marshall-King 10. Tom Gilbert 11. Max Plath 12. Kulikefu Finefeuiaki 13. Morgan Knowles 14. Kurt Donoghoe 15. Ray Stone 16. Francis Molo 17. Connelly Lemuelu 18. Felise Kaufusi 19. Brad Schneider 20. Jake Averillo 21. Brian Pouniu 22. Tevita Naufahu
Roosters team: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Connor Watson 15. Angus Crichton 16. Nat Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Hugo Savala 19. Cody Ramsey 20. Egan Butcher 21. Tommy Talau 22. Benaiah Ioelu
My prediction – The Dolphins 20-24 Sydney Roosters
I was way off with my score predictions last week, so take these with a big pinch of salt. I really like the look of the Dolphins at a sold-out Suncorp, but I just can’t go against the Roosters. Call it history, aura or experience, but there’s something that’s just pushing me towards the Chooks here/
Betting tips
The Dolphins are slight favourites for this one, so I’m backing the Roosters to win, at 11/10. It’s the same price for an anytime try for Jamayne Isaako as well, which looks too tempting to pass up.
Sunday 27th September – Penrith Panthers vs Newcastle Knights
Form guide
The Panthers followed up their Minor Premiership win with a 19-12 victory over the Roosters in week one of the Finals. That meant they got the weekend off last time out.
The Knights followed up their 20-10 win over the Rabbitohs in week one with an even more impressive display last week. They beat the Warriors 12-10 in Auckland to secure their passage to the Prelim Finals for the first time since 2013.
Team news
Panthers team: 1. Dylan Edwards 2. Tom Jenkins 3. Blaize Talagi 4. Casey McLean 5. Brian To’o 6. Jack Cole 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Moses Leota 9. Mitch Kenny 10. Lindsay Smith 11. Isaiah Papali’i 12. Liam Martin 13. Isaah Yeo 14. Jack Cogger 15. Scott Sorensen 16. Liam Henry 17. Billy Phillips 18. Luke Garner 19. Billy Scott 20. Luron Patea 21. Freddy Lussick 22. Izack Tago
Knights team: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Cody Hopwood 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew Croker 14. Harrison Graham 15. Lachlan Crouch 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Dylan Lucas 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Thomas Cant 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Elijah Leaumoana 22. Toby Winter
My prediction – Penrith Panthers 26-12 Newcastle Knights
I think the Knights’ fairytale run will come to an end this week. Saying that, I thought the same would be true last week, so I’m not dismissing their chances entirely. This Panthers side has been there and done it multiple times though, so they’re a different proposition to the Warriors.
Betting tips
I’m backing over 40.5 points here, which is 5/6. Thomas Jenkins also looks a shoo-in for an anytime try at 4/5.
