The Newcastle Knights have understandably dominated media attention this week leading up to the 2026 NRL Grand Final. One Sydney Roosters fan has revealed exactly what Sunday night will mean to him and the thousands of other tri-colours fans.
The beginning of this journey takes place in 2002: The Roosters had just beaten the Warriors in the grand final and a six-year-old me would instantly fall in love with this rugby league side.
Fast forward 24 years, 7 grand final appearances, 4 wins and 3 heartbreaking losses and the Sydney Roosters are in another. Through the tears I have watched it all, waiting eagerly for this moment, and now come the 4th of October 2026, they are back.
As a fan of the Roosters, this year means more than most, at the beginning of the 2026 season, the tri-colours signed former Manly great Daly Cherry-Evans for the sole purpose of helping this historic club get back to winning premierships.
It took time, the media crucified him in the early rounds, but by Round 18 the Roosters were humming. A bad end to the regular season saw the Chooks finish fourth, heading into finals with the daunting prospect of potentially going out in straight sets.
The shoulders of Daly Cherry-Evans, James Tedesco and Sam Walker were carrying the brunt of the losses, taking mass responsibility for a side that just needed to lock back in with one another.
Finals footy however is a different beast, as the Roosters matched the Panthers in Week 1 for 70 minutes before demolishing the Sharks the following week to book themselves a spot against the Dolphins.
As a diehard fan of the Roosters, it has been a season of success, and one that I can say has been a highlight of the last 8 premierships that I have been lucky enough to witness. From watching Mark Nawaqanitawase score another freaky try, to seeing the rise of Salesi Foketi, it has been an amazing year to be a Roosters fan.
With four big name stars leaving the Roosters come seasons end, season 2026 meant more than most.
With the preliminary final complete and the Chooks on their way to another, it has been great to sit back and reflect, reflecting on the season that was, the signings, the media backlash, the history making wins and the dramatic losses.
Come Sunday the 4th of October, the Sydney Roosters will be ready, no matter who they face, ready for glory, ready to show that they are the pride of the league.
Ready to again silence their critics and show that the recruitment decisions made by the team were the right ones.
There would be one way to cap off the year that was and that would be with a DCE field goal to win the premiership in 2026, the Cherry on top.
The Eastern Suburbs will be lit up in lights as the hopes and dreams of a 15th premiership for the Sydney Roosters happen.
For a young six-year-old me; I barely imagined one premiership let alone sitting down to watch my beloved Chooks go into their eighth in my lifetime. Whatever happens tomorrow, one thing stays, my love for the Sydney Roosters.
