WHAT’S GAMBLING REALLY COSTING YOU? Set a deposit limit. For Free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.<\/p>\n Before a 52,286 sellout, the Dolphins went into the contest with eight straight wins at Suncorp but they were overwhelmed by Walker, Nawaqanitawase and a Roosters pack that flexed its muscle in midfield.<\/p>\n The Tri-Colours led 16-0 after 27 minutes, 16-6 at half-time and three tries in a 10-minute blitz after the break buried the Dolphins to leave the Roosters one win away from their first premiership since 2019.<\/p>\n The Bondi belting gives Walker\u2019s halves partner Daly Cherry-Evans a golden chance to end his NRL career with a title at age 37.<\/p>\n But Roosters teammates Connor Watson and Victor Radley face a nervous wait to play in the grand final, with the former suffering a category-one concussion, while the latter could be charged for a hip-drop on Herbie Farnworth.<\/p>\n PLAYER RATINGS<\/p>\n ROOSTERS: Freakish talent shatters records…as Roosters star sends statement in comeback<\/a><\/p>\n DOLPHINS: Young gun\u2019s steep learning curve as Herbie, Hammer fail to fire<\/a><\/p>\n Woolf: ‘They deserved the win’ | 05:50<\/p>\n BIG HITS<\/p>\n SLAMMIN\u2019 SAM<\/p>\n Sammy Walker. What a player. What a gladiator. The Roosters\u2019 Little Master showed his gargantuan heart with a mesmerising performance in his return just 27 days after ankle surgery.<\/p>\n Walker\u2019s scrumbase shootout with Dolphins phenom Isaiya Katoa was one of the most crucial individual battles and the Roosters No.7 won a unanimous verdict.<\/p>\n The Maroons maestro didn\u2019t skip a beat, piloting the Roosters to an early 16-0 after 27 minutes with a pinpoint cross kick for a flying Daniel Tupou.<\/p>\n By contrast, Katoa was under siege from the opening seconds. The Tongan Test ace injured his ankle making a hit-up in the Dolphins\u2019 very first set and some of his last-play options were below his standards of excellence.<\/p>\n Walker then issued the last rites when he sliced through 13 minutes from time before coming off for an early shower.<\/p>\n PRESS CONFERENCES<\/p>\n ROOSTERS: Robbo reveals classy response to shock bench call<\/a><\/p>\n DOLPHINS: Woolf\u2019s honest verdict… before delivering big 2027 warning<\/a><\/p>\n Was this clearly put down on the line? | 01:05<\/p>\n TOUGH PROP-OSITION<\/p>\n You don\u2019t win finals games without a dominant forward pack and the Roosters\u2019 big boppers bashed down the front door to dominate the Dolphins.<\/p>\n Redcliffe\u2019s chief enforcers Tom Flegler and Tom Gilbert lost the midfield battle as pumped-up Roosters trio Naufahu Whyte, Lindsay Collins and Radley took control with a series of powerful charges.<\/p>\n From the opening seconds, Sydney\u2019s line speed told the story. The Chooks were hungry. Desperate. Spirited. Relentless.<\/p>\n Whyte (175m) set the tone and when Radley (100m) speared through to score from a crash-ball play in the 24th minute, the Dolphins were in trouble at 12-0.<\/p>\n MORE COVERAGE<\/p>\n \u2018NOT HAPPY\u2019: Klein drama as Roosters \u2018blow up\u2019, greats slam controversial Bunker call<\/a><\/p>\n \u2018A PROBLEM?\u2019: Roosters enforcer faces nervous GF wait after being put on report AGAIN<\/a><\/p>\n Did Marky Mark get lucky with this pass? | 00:31<\/p>\n MARK OF A MAN<\/p>\n Nawaqanitawase terrorised the Dolphins with another freakish display, amassing 311 metres from a staggering 26 runs. <\/p>\n His departure to rugby is sad for the NRL because the Roosters flyer is an incredible entertainer and consistent match-winner.<\/p>\n He showed incredible awareness to intercept a Herbie Farnworth pass and race 90 metres to open the scoring, before showing brute strength to crash over in the 57th minute and seal the Roosters\u2019 grand-final appearance at 34-10.<\/p>\n GF SCHEDULE: \u2018Big advantage\u2019 as Roosters book their spot in decider<\/a><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/09\/1790354532_8_poster-fallback.png\"\/)
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