Little-known youngsters in the mix as Knights, Roosters sweat on stars

After 27 rounds of gruelling action and three weeks of finals, it all comes down to the NRL grand final on Sunday night between the Roosters and Knights.

In one of the most surprising rises in history, Newcastle have gone from the wooden spoon last year to now being one win away from a premiership.

For the red-hot Roosters, convincing wins over the Sharks and Dolphins have booked their spot in the decider for the first time since 2019.

Nine.com.au has all the early team news for the grand final below.

Sydney Roosters predicted team

1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley 14. Hugo Savala 15. Angus Crichton 16. Nat Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Benaiah Ioelu 19. Cody Ramsey

Sydney Roosters team news

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Connor Watson (concussion) is expected to miss the grand final after leaving the field in Friday night’s preliminary final. Trent Robinson said the Roosters would try and get Watson cleared, but given it was deemed a category one at the time, it’s unlikely the NRL will allow him to play. Hugo Savala will likely wear the No.14 jersey while hooker Benaiah Ioelu should join the six-man bench. Sam Walker returned in style from an ankle injury and while he was spotted with ice behind his knee post-game, the halfback is expected to be fit for the NRL decider.

Newcastle Knights predicted team

1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Harrison Graham 10. Cody Hopwood 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mat Croker 14. Diesel Hagan 15. Lachlan Crouch 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Dylan Lucas 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Thomas Cant

Newcastle Knights team news

Phoenix Crossland is set to miss the grand final through suspension after a hip-drop tackle that injured Nathan Cleary and saw the Knights hooker sent off. The club may contest the sanction, which will be handed down by the match review committee on Monday. Harrison Graham is the likely replacement at dummy-half, while rookie Diesel Hagan could come onto the bench as a back-up option.