NRL grand final recap: Sydney Roosters hold off Newcastle Knights in thriller

It was never in doubt.

He heads up to accept the medal with his young daughter, who’s decked out on Roosters gear complete with ribbons in her hair.

Is that the last we’ll see of Mark Nawaqanitawase?

We’ll have to wait to find out, but he’s certainly going to miss the place.

“I’m lost for words,” he tells Nine.

“This is going to last me a lifetime. I’m sad to go, but I love everyone here. Love all the boys. Let’s celebrate this win, far out.”

Tedesco saves another one! This time it’s along the ground.

And the Roosters see out the clock to win the grand final by a point!

A thrilling finish, but it’s heartbreak for last year’s wooden spooners Newcastle after trying their hearts out all night.

“This is one of the most courageous efforts I’ve seen,” Joey Johns says on Nine.

It’s glory for the Roosters.

The retiring/departing Daly Cherry-Evans. The departing Mark Nawaqanitawase. Sam Walker back from injury. And the marvel JAMES TEDESCO.

“So proud of this team. I’m speechless,” the captain tells Nine.

“It honestly felt like we had them on the ropes but they kept coming back. That game could’ve gone either way. It’s been a long journey for us this year, I’m so happy.

“If you stop Kalyn Ponga it’s a long way to winning the game. The boys did a great job defending but he kept asking questions.”

On DCE, Tedesco said: “It’s the best. It helped me so much on and off the field. That’s why we got him into those big moments and he did that tonight. So, so happy we could have a fairytale ending for him.”

And Cherry-Evans himself is almost in tears.

“We did it. I didn’t do anything. We did it. Thank you so much, everyone here tonight. I’m so grateful. Thank you so much for the support, I’m so lucky,” he says.

“I didn’t want to sound arrogant or overly confident but I had so much belief in this club, the players, the coach. This is what it’s all about and we did it. I’m so, so proud to be here and I just can’t wait to see my family.”

On the field goal, he said: “Close games, 10 to go, you’ve just got to do it sometimes. I’m so grateful to be part of this great club and be part of this history.”

Asked what it means to bookend his NRL career with grand final victories, he said: “I don’t know what it means but it feels amazing. This is not just about me, it’s about my teammates, my family, the journey is about the ups and downs and it’s so amazing to finish here.”

What a day for the Roosters after they also won the NRLW grand final earlier in the afternoon.

Kalyn Ponga is utterly heartbroken in comparison.

“It hurts so much. I know we did them (the fans) proud but the ultimate goal is to win a comp. We’ll be back,” he says.

“We weren’t winning field position, we knew that. We knew it was going to be a hard game. We were making errors, the amount of pressure they were putting on us, they were too good in the end.

“I’m definitely proud of this club. This community. I’m super proud. Obviously wooden spoon last year, if you had’ve said we’d be playing in the grand final I would’ve said you were kidding.”

Newcastle can only get to halfway on the fifth off the kick-off... and Tedesco! Unbelievable!

He just stands his ground under the bomb and might’ve sealed it!

Is he going to win the Churchill? He’s had a monster night, running for nearly 400m.

Newcastle have pulled something out of nothing! Marzhew scores after some brilliant work by Ponga and Manuleleua in the build-up.

They’re still in it!

“They have no right to be anywhere near this game,” Joey Johns says.

Sandon Smith converts from the edge and it’s a ONE-POINT GAME with three minutes left!

Nawaqanitawase takes another high one over Marzhew and gets the ball out to Toia, who scores in the corner.

It was a spectacular play but Adam Gee says no try... and the bunker confirms his decision.

Nawaqanitawase was tackled in the air initially, and tackled on the ground, so it’s a penalty to the Roosters.

Collins is through under the sticks but we’re going upstairs... because there’s a head under the ball!

“That’s a falcon,” Joey Johns jokes.

The lead remains 19-12 with eight minutes left.

DCE strikes a blow with a quick field goal from 18m out.

It looks like he’s going to set a new record for the longest gap between premiership wins. What a way to bow out.

Roosters lead 19-12 with 10 minutes left.

Fletcher Sharpe knocks on 10 metres out!

“That’s unforgivable,” Mat Thompson says.

Ponga knew it, his pass was knocked forward by Billy Smith.

The Knights get a fresh set from just over 20m out. Here’s their chance.