NRL

He won’t be calling the match for Channel 9 this year, but Phil Gould has been happy to share his thoughts on the 2026 Grand Final, predicting a comfortable Roosters victory.

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Prompted for his thoughts by fans on social media platform X, as he often is on Friday nights, the two-time premiership winning coach posted a lengthy analysis on the 2026 season decider, suggesting a Knights win on Sunday would ‘defy logic’.

“If the Knights win the Grand Final on Sunday, it will put into question everything I’ve ever believed about finals football,” Gould said.

“I would never begrudge the great City of Newcastle such an achievement… however, I think Roosters will win this game comfortably,  something like 5 tries to 2 tries.”

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The Bulldogs supremo then provided his reasons why, suggesting the Roosters spine is far superior to its Newcastle opposition.

 “The four Rooster spine players are all Origin experienced and Origin class performers,” Gould said.

“The Knights spine has only Kalyn Ponga with such credentials. He will be heavily marked this weekend.”

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In commentary sure to rile Knights fans, Gould also called into question the fitness of the teams Newcastle has had to beat to make it to the decider.

 “South Sydney lost Cody Walker early in the game. No other Origin players in the spine,” he explained.

“Warriors, who have been brave, but clearly out of form at the back end of the season. More importantly, they had zero Origin experienced players in their spine. 

“Newcastle produced a magnificent effort to defeat the Panthers. However, the Panthers were without Nathan Cleary, and Dylan Edwards was clearly injured. Panthers had no other Origin class players in their spine.” 

‘I only see a Rooster victory’

Facing an Origin-calibre spine of James Tedesco, Sam Walker, Daly Cherry-Evans and Reece Robson, Gould says the Knights will have their work cut out on Sunday night. 

“If Roosters get it right, and I believe this Origin class spine will get it right, I expect a peak performance which will be a bit too good for this courageous Knights team,” he said. 

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“In the end though, I only see a Rooster victory.”