Penrith Panthers vs Sydney Roosters - Finals Week 1, 2026
The result
Panthers held off the Roosters 19 to 12 at CommBank Stadium to win this final, with the sides locked together 12 to 12 at halftime. Liam Martin broke the deadlock in the 12th minute, and after that the Roosters never led again.
How it unfolded
Penrith controlled the ball, making 78 percent completion rate to the Roosters' 75, and ran for more metres across the match, 1829 to the Roosters' 1473. The Roosters hit harder in defence, making 437 tackles to the Panthers' 357, though they also conceded more penalties, seven to Penrith's two.
Against projection
Daly Cherry-Evans ran well clear of his projection, scoring 73 against 48, and Victor Radley also beat his number comfortably, putting up 59 against 39. On the Panthers' side Casey McLean fell short, scoring 20 against a projection of 42, while Thomas Jenkins also undershot, managing 16 against 46 despite playing the full 80 minutes.
