The Knights have named Phoenix Crossland in the No. 9 jersey for Sunday’s grand final, but he’s long odds of playing after he was referred directly to the judiciary for his hip-drop tackle on Nathan Cleary.
Crossland has pleaded guilty and is now at the mercy of the judiciary panel, with Harrison Graham on standby to make just his third start of the season.
“Yeah definitely mate (I can play 80),” Graham said after Sunday’s win over the Panthers.
“We’ll obviously have to wait and see what the Phoenix situation is. I don’t really know what’s going to happen, but I’m ready and let’s hope for the best.“
“He’s been our best player all year. He’s been someone who’s been here since the younger grades with the Newcastle Knights and he epitomises what the team is.
“If he’s not playing next week then we’ll have him on our shoulder and that’s what we’ll be playing for.“
Diesel Hagan has joined the extended bench and could make his debut in the grand final if Graham needs a spell at dummy-half.
The Roosters are unchanged from the side that cruised past the Dolphins, although bench utility Connor Watson is in doubt after he copped a head knock last week.
Watson will meet with an independent neurologist on Thursday in a bid to be cleared for the grand final in what would be his final game for the club before he joins the Dragons.
Adam Gee will be in charge for his second grand final after getting his debut in 2023.
It’s smooth sailing for the Broncos in the NRLW Grand Final, with the Roosters sweating on Jayme Fressard’s fitness after the representative winger failed to finish last week’s game against the Raiders.
Mia Wood is the logical replacement if Fressard can’t overcome her shoulder injury.
Originally published as NRL Grand Final squads are in, but the Roosters and Knights may be forced to make late changes