MARK ‘SPUDD’ CARROLL: Sydney Roosters will end Newcastle Knights fairytale run in 2026

I was on the receiving end of the Newcastle fairytale 29 years ago when they beat my Manly side in one of the great grand final upsets.

We went into the game as clear favourites after beating the Knights consistently over many years, including three times in that 1997 season alone.

I think the head-to-head count was something like 9-1 our way in the 10 matches leading up to the decider.

It still stings me almost 30 yrs later to see vision of Darren Albert sprint over for the match winning try, courtesy of some Joey Johns magic.

Everyone in rugby league thought it was wonderful for the game.

We hated every moment.

The 2026 Newcastle Knights are creating their own fairytale after finishing seventh and winning three knockout games to set up a GF showdown with the Roosters.

It’s been one helluva ride but one I think will come to a screeching halt on Sunday night.

The Chooks have hit top form at the right time of the year and look almost unstoppable.

They are pretty much at full strength and will enjoy two extra days off compared to Newcastle.

That’s a massive advantage at this time of the season.

The Roosters just have too many big-name and big occasion players for mine.

Go through them with me.

There’s James Tedesco at fullback, Mark Nawaqanitawase on the wing, Daly Cherry-Evans and Sam Walker in the halves and powerhouses Lindsay Collins, Reece Robson, Naufahu White and Victor Radley in the engine room.

Their bench just drips with quality, class and menace.

Just about every player has tasted rep football and those who haven’t will down the track.

And to top it all off they’ve got a coach who has been there and done that in three-time premiership winner Trent Robinson.

Newcastle are the best supported team in the game and will ride a wave of emotion all the way to Accor Stadium.

What an effort to beat that champion Penrith side with 12 men for 44 minutes.

No wonder it reduced Joey Johns to tears.

But as much as I’d love them to win the whole thing, I just can’t see it.

My heart says Knights but my heads says Roosters by a 13-plus margin, with Walker or Tedesco to take out the Clive Churchill medal.

AND DON’T GET ME STARTED

I have to agree with my old mate Mark Geyer when he says the NRL botching the grand final entertainment is the first time Peter V’landys has dropped the ball since taking charge of the game.

While it’s great the $1m that would have gone to Tones and I will now go to junior footy, it’s still a huge miss not to have an artist or band perform on rugby league’s biggest day.

You think of some of the acts the NRL has booked over the past three decades and they’ve all been memorable – one way or the other.

The footy should always been the centrepiece of the day but the pre-match entertainment is a massive attraction and talking point.

That the AFL trotted out the pop princess – and genuine global superstar - Kylie Minogue only further rubs it in the NRL’s face.

She created interest and headlines, along with a massive pre-game television audience.

But don’t worry PVL, I’ve got you covered if you want to sign up an act laced with rugby league DNA.

I’m a member of the True Sports rock band, which also features Parramatta legend Eric “Guru” Grothe.

We’ve also got two cricketers – Richard Chee Quee and Gavin Robertson – along with Hoodoo Gurus guitarist Rick Grossman.

I’m sure we could spare some time to belt out a few tunes at Accor Stadium next Sunday night, starting with Rose Tattoo’s We Can’t Be Beaten in honour of the late, great Angry Anderson.

If not us, put in a call to Jimmy Barnes.

Barnesy absolutely nailed it at the Jai Arrow fundraiser last week and would be more than willing to help a game he loves.

Let’s not give up on the music.

Remember, you’ve got to fight for your right to party.

BEFORE I GO

No one likes to see players badly injured, particularly when it robs us of the genius of someone like Nathan Cleary.

Seeing the champion halfback on the ground and in agony after suffering a compound leg fracture on Sunday night was hard to watch.

It was terribly distressing, no matter which club you follow.

I’d just like to pass my best on to Nathan, dad Ivan and the entire Cleary family as they digest the news and plot a path forward.

We know Nath will do everything in his powers to overcome this challenge and make his way back to the game.

In the meantime, we will be poorer for his absence.

I’d also like you to spare a thought for Phoenix Crossland, the honest-as-they-come Newcastle player involved in the tackle.

He will also have some tough times ahead.

No one goes out to maim a player and, unfortunately, serious injury is a risk every time you run onto a rugby league field.

It’s a brutal and unforgiving game at times.