Roosters fullback James Tedesco won the 2026 Clive Churchill Medal after leading his side to a thrilling 19-18 win over the Knights.

The evergreen Tedesco was everywhere for the Chooks, running for 305 metres and recording nine tackle busts.

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The fullback was extremely emotional when speaking to Channel 9 soon after the final buzzer.

“I didn’t think I’d be so emotional. I’m so proud of this team. What a game. I’m speechless. Speechless,” Tedesco said.

“Honestly, I felt like we had them on the ropes, but they just kept coming back. There were so many great attacking players and all that game, it could have went either way.”

“I’m just so proud of them. I’m so happy.

“It means a lot (playing in front of family). I can’t wait to give him a big hug now.

Their support just means everything to me. They’re the best.”

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Tedesco also praised Roosters playmaker Daly Cherry-Evans, who ended his decorated NRL career on the highest note possible.

Cherry-Evans joined the Roosters in the off-season on a one-year deal in a highly publicised switch from Manly and will now head to Hull FC to finish his career.

“He’s the best,” Tedesco said.

“He has helped me so much on and off the field. That’s why we got him, to ice into those big moments and he did that tonight. I’m so, so happy we could have a fairytale ending for him.”

The Roosters’ No. 1 joined the club and coach Trent Robinson in 2018 and the pair have combined for three premierships, but this is Tedesco’s first win with the ‘C’ next to his name.

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Robinson paid immense credit to his skipper post-game.

“With about 20 minutes to go and I think we’d just kicked the penalty goal and he was getting back onside and he was in the red, but he just kept going and going and going,” Robinson said.

“He had to clean up loose balls. He had to take kick returns and then he had to take the last tackle as well. He just never gave up.

“It was it was such a big one for Ted tonight to captain a premiership. He’s played in two, but to captain one was was really special for him. So yeah, we’re pretty blessed.”