The final four is locked in, and there is absolutely no room for error.
After a dramatic opening two weeks of the 2026 NRL Finals Series, just four teams remain in the hunt for premiership glory. The Dolphins, Sydney Roosters, Penrith Panthers and Newcastle Knights are now just 80 minutes away from a place in the NRL Grand Final.
The stakes couldn’t be higher. Win, and you’re heading to the biggest game of the year. Lose, and the season is over, with the eliminated club’s 2026 stock also heading into the Jerseys Megastore NRL Knock Out Sale, where fans can grab 20% off 2026 merchandise from eliminated teams.
The NRL has confirmed the preliminary finals will see the Dolphins host the Roosters at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night, before the Panthers take on the Knights at Accor Stadium on Sunday afternoon.
So, who will book their ticket to the Grand Final?
Suncorp Stadium | Friday, September 25
This is a genuinely fascinating preliminary final.
For the Dolphins, simply reaching this stage represents another huge milestone in the club’s short NRL history. The 2026 season is their first-ever finals campaign, and after securing a week off following their qualifying-final victory, Wayne Bennett’s side now gets the advantage of playing their biggest game of the season in front of a packed Suncorp Stadium.
Standing in their way is a Sydney Roosters side that has suddenly found another gear.
The Roosters entered last weekend’s sudden-death semi-final against Cronulla with their season on the line. What followed was one of the most emphatic finals performances of the year, with the Roosters running out 46-10 winners to book their preliminary-final berth. The victory included five second-half tries and was the club’s highest-ever score in a finals match.
James Tedesco was outstanding against the Sharks, while Daly Cherry-Evans produced a vintage performance with three try assists, two line-break assists and a try. Mark Nawaqanitawase also crossed twice.
The question now is whether the Roosters can carry that momentum into Suncorp Stadium.
What could decide it?
The Dolphins have the luxury of having had the week off, while the Roosters have had to back up after a physically demanding elimination final. That extra preparation and recovery time could prove valuable for the home side.
But there is plenty of reason for Roosters fans to be confident. Their 46-10 demolition of Cronulla demonstrated just how dangerous this team can be when their attack gets rolling.
There is also plenty of intrigue surrounding the Roosters’ halves, with Sam Walker’s potential return one of the major talking points heading into the match.
This one has all the ingredients of a classic.
Our Tip: Dolphins
Playing at Suncorp, having enjoyed the week off and entering the biggest game in club history, the Dolphins have plenty going in their favour.
Expect the Roosters to make them work for every metre, but we’re tipping the home side to find a way through and continue their remarkable first finals campaign.
Prediction: Dolphins 24 – Roosters 20
Penrith Panthers v Newcastle Knights
Accor Stadium | Sunday, September 27
If experience counts for anything in September, the Penrith Panthers have plenty of it.
The Panthers are heading into their seventh consecutive preliminary final, having secured their place with a dramatic 19-12 victory over the Roosters in Week One. Nathan Cleary produced the decisive moment in that contest, slotting a field goal in the 70th minute before Brian To’o’s late try sealed the result.
Now they face one of the stories of the 2026 season: the Newcastle Knights.
Newcastle’s journey to the preliminary final has been anything but conventional. After a season that saw them defy plenty of expectations, the Knights produced another huge result in Week Two, stunning the Warriors in a sudden-death semi-final at Eden Park to earn their place in the final four.
The reward? A date with the minor premiers and an opportunity to reach the Grand Final for the first time in 25 years.
What could decide it?
The obvious battle is between Penrith’s experience and Newcastle’s momentum.
The Panthers know exactly what it takes to handle the pressure of preliminary-final football. They have been here six times previously in consecutive seasons and have built an extraordinary level of consistency around September.
But the Knights won’t be intimidated.
Kalyn Ponga and company have already survived a sudden-death encounter away from home, and they will arrive at Accor Stadium believing they have nothing to lose.
For Newcastle, the challenge will be maintaining composure when Penrith inevitably turns up the pressure through the middle of the field. The Panthers have a knack for forcing opponents into difficult decisions, and their ability to win the small moments could ultimately decide this contest.
Our Tip: Panthers
The Knights’ fairytale run has been one of the great stories of the 2026 season, but we’re backing Penrith’s finals experience and consistency to get them over the line.
It wouldn’t be surprising to see Newcastle make this one extremely uncomfortable for the Panthers, but Penrith should have enough class to secure another Grand Final appearance.
Prediction: Panthers 22 – Knights 16
Who Will Make the 2026 NRL Grand Final?
If our tips are right, we’ll be looking at a Dolphins v Panthers Grand Final.
That would give the Dolphins an opportunity to play in the biggest game in the club’s history during their very first finals campaign, while Penrith would be chasing yet another premiership after establishing themselves as one of the NRL’s dominant teams of the modern era.
But that’s the beauty of preliminary-final weekend, anything can happen.
For two clubs, Sunday night will bring Grand Final dreams. For the other two, it will bring the end of their 2026 campaign.
And for fans of the eliminated teams, there’s at least one consolation…
The NRL Knock Out Sale is ON!
When a team is eliminated from the 2026 NRL Finals Series, their 2026 stock enters the Jerseys Megastore NRL Knock Out Sale, with 20% OFF selected merchandise from eliminated teams.
So whether you’re backing the Dolphins, Roosters, Panthers or Knights this weekend, keep an eye on the result because if your team falls short, their 2026 gear could soon be available for 20% off.
The race for the premiership is reaching its climax, the Grand Final is within touching distance, and there are only two games standing between these four teams and a shot at glory.
Who have you got?
Stay tuned to Jerseys Megastore for all the latest NRL finals action, officially licensed merchandise and 2026 team gear. Jerseys Megastore, for all things footy!
