Dolphins vs Sydney Roosters Preview & Prediction | 2026 NRL | Preliminary Final
by Alex Sarwar ·
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
Sydney Roosters had to come through a semi-final to reach this stage, while the Dolphins made it here courtesy of victory in the qualification finals.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / Australia – Channel 9 / USA – Some matches are televised live on Fox Sports
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go & Watch NRL / Australia – 9Now / USA – Watch NRL, and if the match is televised in the USA it can also be streamed live on Fox Sports platforms
Dolphins team news
Tom Fleger has been passed fit to play and has been named in the Dolphins squad, whilst Felise Kaufusi has also been selected by head coach Kristian Woolf.
Squad: Hamiso Tabuai-Fidow, Jamayne Isaako, Jack Bostock, Herbie Farnworth, Selwyn Cobbo, Kodi Nikorima, Isaiya Katoa, Thomas Flegler, Jeremy Marshall-King, Tom Gilbert, Max Plath, Kulikefu Finefeuiaki, Morgan Knowles, Kurt Donoghoe, Ray Stone, Francis Molo, Connelly Lemuelu, Felise Kaufusi, Bradley Schneider, Jake Averillo, Brian Pouniu, Tevita Naufahu
Sydney Roosters team news
Sam Walker returns for Sydney Roosters, whilst despite an illness big sweeping through the camp, both James Tedesco and Daly Cherry-Evans are fit and available.
Squad: James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Billy Smith, Robert Toia, Mark Nawaqanitawase, Daly Cherry-Evans, Sam Walker, Naufahu Whyte, Reece Robson, Lindsay Collins, Salesi Foketi, Siua Wong, Victor Radley, Connor Watson, Angus Crichton, Nat Butcher, Spencer Leniu, Hugo Savala, Cody Ramsey, Egan Butcher, Tommy Talau, Benaiah Ioelu
Dolphins vs Sydney Roosters prediction
Dolphins finished two points above Sydney Roosters in the regular season and since then, Kristian Woolf has been working his post-season magic that we saw on display throughout his years at St. Helens in Super League. A hard-fought 16-26 win over second-seed New Zealand Warriors gave them a precious automatic passage through to this game and they will have hugely benefitted from the extra rest.
Sydney Roosters came up short against Penrith Panthers, but demolished Cronulla Sharks 46-10 to set up this encounter. The Dolphins will have to be at their very best defensively and what we saw from them vs the Warriors bodes well on that front. After restricting New Zealand to just 16 points, you can see how well drilled Woolf’s side are.
Momentum is with the Dolphins, who are riding an eight-game winning streak. That includes a victory over the Roosters in the regular season. They way they’ve been playing, it feels like Woof’s men are the only side other than Penrith capable of taking down Sydney and backing them to do so is a play worth making.
Dolphins vs Sydney Roosters tip: Dolphins to win
