Racing
League
Rugby
Football
Cricket
Golf
Sport Nation
Motorsport
Netball
Basketball
Combat Sports
Olympics
Other Sports
Live sport on SN this weekend‘Big game experience counts’: Daley backs Roosters in NRL Grand Final
Sport Nation • October 2nd, 2026 2:18 pm
Laurie Daley | Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP
Origin-winning NSW Blues coach Laurie Daley believes the Roosters have the class and big-game experience to overcome the Knights in Sunday’s NRL Grand Final.
Newcastle have surged from seventh at the end of the regular season to reach the decider, but Daley said they would need to improve on their recent performances against a Roosters side he believes is peaking at the right time.
“I think they go into this game confident on Sunday, but they're going to have to be a lot better than what they were in those last three outings because the Roosters just look like they're primed and ready to go,” he told Sport Nation Afternoons.
“I just get the feeling that the Roosters are playing their best football and I feel like Newcastle - two weeks ago they got the Warriors when they were sort of undermanned. Last week, they won when Penrith were a little bit undermanned. But they're coming up against the fresh Roosters team.”
NRL Grand Final predictions | The Finals Countdown
Daley also noted “big game experience counts for a lot".
“I look at the Rooster's side and you know they're a hardened team. They've got guys with international and origin experience all throughout their squad.”
He said he expected the Roosters to also bring a tough attitude and not underestimate their opponents.
“I think if the Roosters turn up, and there's no reason why they won't, with a tough attitude, and they won’t underestimate their opponent, I just look at the class level between the two teams and I think that the Roosters win.
“It's a matter now of bringing your best performance.”
Can Knights win Grand Final without Crossland? | The Finals Countdown
Daley also shared his approach to preparing players for the biggest games, saying coaches should keep their messages precise.
“I've always thought in big games you try not to overload the players too much with information because they need to be clear in what they need to do when they run out onto the field.
“It's about drilling down on a couple of things that you really find necessary or so important that you know that if your team can deliver on that you can win the game.
“Making sure that the players understand that if you do that right, that's going to contribute to us having one hell of a performance.”
Listen to the full interview below:
