There are many superstars and exciting prospects on display for this year's NRL Grand Final between the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights.
Here is the one to 34 list of players ranked to decide who brings the trophy home.
1. Sandon Smith (Newcastle Knights)
Halfback
Sandon Smith's stellar performance in the preliminary final against the Penrith Panthers has made him a Newcastle cult hero in just his first year at the Knights and delivered them their first grand final in 25 years. Nicknamed 'Sandrew Johns', Smith needs to back up his performance from last week and create those big-game moments he is capable of.
2. James Tedesco (Sydney Roosters)
Fullback
If there is someone to break a game wide open, it's James Tedesco. Known for his running game and chance creation, 'Teddy' will be integral out the back for the Roosters if they are to bring the trophy home and will most definitely have his hands in everything.
3. Sam Walker (Sydney Roosters)
HALFBACK
With his miraculous 27-day recovery from a syndesmosis ankle injury, Sam Walker is a massive bolster to this Roosters side. He is the player who will dictate play around the park, and best believe if he spots space, he will run into it.
4. Kalyn Ponga (Newcastle Knights)
Fullback
Bringing the trophy back to the Hunter wouldn't mean more to anyone than Kalyn Ponga. His emotional reaction following the Knights' victory last week says all you need to know: he has been through the best and worst times for this team and will do anything to win. He will be ready to have one of the games of his career.
5. Salesi Foketi (Sydney Roosters)
Second-row
Salesi Foketi has been one of the Roosters' best players this season, a shining light that the Roosters will look to lock down at the club for a long time to come. His work rate and effort are a big part of his game and will set him apart from others on the field come Sunday.
6. Harrison Graham (Newcastle Knights)
Hooker
Harrison Graham claims a top ten position on the list purely because of the job he has been thrust into. With the suspension of Phoenix Crossland, Graham will start, or have a very long role off the bench in a grand final and will need to replicate the hard game of Crossland if the Knights are to come close to winning.
7. Bradman Best (Newcastle Knights)
Centre
Bradman 'Big-Game' Best is a special type of player who almost always delivers in important games like this. Expect to see Best at his best as he marks up on Roosters' centre Rob Toia; this match-up is set to be one of the most exciting.
8. Daly Cherry-Evans (Sydney Roosters)
Five-eighth
Like many of the Roosters leaving at the end of the season, Daly Cherry-Evans will be looking to sign off with a premiership. He has proved he can still play at NRL level at 37 years of age and will be hoping to finish his illustrious career in the NRL on a high before heading over to England.
9. Francis Manuleleua (Newcastle Knights)
Second-row
Francis Manuleleua has not let the bright lights of the first-grade stage affect him in his debut season. With his exciting playing style and slice of ego, he will play a big role if Newcastle are to get over the line.
10. Jermaine McEwan (Newcastle Knights)
Second-row
The second-row pairing of Jermaine McEwan and Francis Manuleleua have seen the youngsters solidify their regular positions in the starting side for the Knights. Similar to Manuleleua, McEwan has a type of flair about his playing style that makes him unpredictable and exciting. He will look to ignite this on Sunday.
11. Naufahu Whyte (Sydney Roosters)
Prop
Coming off being named Dally M Prop of the Year on Wednesday night, Whyte will be bringing that enforcer energy for his side. To top off a standout season, a premiership will do nicely for the New Zealand international.
12. Robert Toia (Sydney Roosters)
Centre
Another Dally M team of the year recipient, Toia has been huge for the Roosters in their trophy chase. He is arguably the best defending centre in the competition, with a knack for scoring strong tries. Bradman Best will have his hands full, to say the least.
13. Fletcher Sharpe (Newcastle Knights)
Five-eighth
If not for the important players above him, Fletcher Sharpe would be much higher on the list. With his rapid ability to score tries and create opportunities, Sharpe will need to be at his best to earn himself his first grand final victory.
14. Mark Nawaqanitawase (Sydney Roosters)
Wing
The departure of Mark Nawaqanitawase from the NRL will not just be unfortunate for the Roosters but for the entire NRL. Marky Mark's freakish nature is not seen every day, and he will be looking to put this on show one last time before heading back to rugby union.
15. Cody Hopwood (Newcastle Knights)
Prop
20-year-old Cody Hopwood has shown he can compete with the competition's best front rowers after his performance against the New Zealand Warriors and Penrith Panthers in his debut finals series. The Knights will need the youngster to hold his own against the likes of opposing starting props Lindsay Collins and Naufahu Whyte.
16. Mat Croker (Newcastle Knights)
Lock
Mat Croker has been one of the Knights' most underrated players for a few seasons now and has remained a consistent player for his side. He should receive more attention for his hard work in the middle and will get the chance to show how important he is to Newcastle's campaign on Sunday.
17. Lindsay Collins (Sydney Roosters)
Prop
After being demoted to the reserves for the 2019 premiership-winning Roosters side, Lindsay Collins will get the chance to run out for his first grand final. Collins has shown his ability to grind and get into the hard graft of the game, and will need to dominate the middle alongside Whyte.
18. Siua Wong (Sydney Roosters)
Second-row
Siua Wong has played 80 minutes pretty much every game this season and has become a dominant force on the Roosters' right edge. Wong understands his job and needs to leave it all out on the field coming up against Francis Manuleleua.
19. Dane Gagai (Newcastle Knights)
Centre
The veteran Dane Gagai is the only player in the current Newcastle squad with prior grand final experience and will want nothing more than to end his Newcastle tenure with a ring around his finger. After heartbreak in the 2021 grand final for the Rabbitohs, he won't be wanting to go zero-and-two in premierships.
20. Reece Robson (Sydney Roosters)
Hooker
New South Wales representative Reece Robson's position on this list does not reflect his role for Sunday's game; control of the ruck and the middle will be on top of his mind if he is to secure his first premiership. Robson has been consistent for the Roosters and would deserve to be paid off after his season following his transfer from the North Queensland Cowboys.
21. Victor Radley (Sydney Roosters)
Lock
A reason why Victor 'the Inflictor' Radley is as low as he is on this list is due to his knack for being more of a liability on the field than he would wish to be. Radley holds second place for the most penalties conceded in 2026, almost averaging one per game. Regardless, Radley turns up for occasions like this and will be huge at lock for the Roosters.
22. Daniel Tupou (Sydney Roosters)
Wing
When it comes to NRL Grand Finals, Daniel Tupou has some of the best experience you could get. With three premierships to his name, Tupou will know he needs to go out there and simply do his job. He will remain cool, calm and collected as he always does.
23. Dylan Lucas (NEW)
Second-row
If Dylan Lucas were to start for Newcastle, he would be much higher on the list. Following his unfortunate ankle injury, he has been stuck behind the likes of McEwan and Manuleleua due to their form. Lucas will still get minutes; however, they will be limited for him to make his impact.
24. Tyson Frizell (Newcastle Knights)
Prop
Tyson Frizell is another veteran within this Newcastle side searching for his first premiership ring. Not quite one of the notable props talked about in recent years, but seeing Frizell win the trophy would be inspiring nonetheless.
25. Billy Smith (Sydney Roosters)
Centre
Billy Smith has proven to be a very beneficial player for the Roosters this season, as he has finally seen an injury-free period during the back-end of the season. Whether it is at centre or on the wing, Smith scores tries but will have to defend against an NRL veteran in Gagai.
26. Angus Crichton (SYD)
Second-row
The return of Angus Crichton adds more depth to the second row for the Roosters but may not see him get much game time. Crichton will be playing his last game for the Roosters before switching codes over to rugby union; another ring wouldn't look so bad for him.
27. Greg Marzhew (Newcastle Knights)
Wing
As one of the stockiest and strongest wingers you will see hit the field on Sunday, Marzhew's job is to take pressure off the forwards and run the ball coming out of Newcastle's end. He will be coming up against the aerial threat of Tupou and must not let the tall winger get in front of him on the kick; otherwise, it is game over.
28. Dominic Young (Newcastle Knights)
Wing
Dominic Young does deserve a higher position on this list; however, he is coming up against the freak of nature Mark Nawaqanitawase, and he will be a problem for him. We know Young is a notable try-scorer who can find space and pin his ears back, but he will need defence to be his main game on Sunday.
29. Lachlan Crouch (Newcastle Knights)
Prop
Lachlan Crouch is just 11 games into his first-grade NRL career and finds himself at the top of the bench. Crouch has proved himself alongside teammate Cody Hopwood that he can handle first-grade rugby league. Crouch's job for his side is to run hard and tackle hard for the entirety of the stint he receives off the bench. He may just walk away with a ring for his debut season at Newcastle.
30. Benaiah Ioelu (Sydney Roosters)
Hooker
With recent reports stating Connor Watson has been ruled out of the grand final due to concussion protocols, Benny Ioelu will most likely receive the number 14 jersey in his place. Ioelu will need to replicate Watson's game and work the middle when he is put on. That said, Robson may just play 80 minutes, and it could be the lock forward position of Radley that Ioelu may need to sub in for.
31. Nat Butcher (Sydney Roosters)
Second-row/prop
Nat Butcher holds one of the best tackle efficiency rates for the Roosters this year and has almost played every game, whether that be starting or off the bench. He will be coming off the bench on Sunday and needs to get in the grind of working the middle over to get his side over the line.
32. Spencer Leniu (Sydney Roosters)
Prop
It does not feel right putting such an inflicting player so low on the list, but Spencer Leniu's recent form suggests he may not be receiving very much game time. Left on the reserves against the Dolphins in the preliminary final, Leniu may not even get onto the field on Sunday. If he does, we will all know about it whether it is through his back-fence carries or inciting push-and-shoves in the middle of the field.
33. Pasami Saulo (Newcastle Knights)
Prop
Pasami Saulo will only receive a maximum of twenty minutes on the field on Sunday. He is a good player to use for fresh legs, but in terms of big game players, he is unfortunately not quite up there.
34. Fletcher Hunt (Newcastle Knights)
Wing/Centre/Fullback
With the depth of Knights' outside backs, the only real reason why Fletcher Hunt would come on is due to injury. Hunt has had a standout season, playing in 18 matches and scoring 13 tries. If Hunt gets on, it is 50-50 whether he will be able to handle the grand final intensitiy that will be present.
