NRL Grand Final team lists: Full squads + NRL Supercoach analysis

We’ve arrived at NRL grand final week, with a truly special decider to play out at Olympic Park on Sunday evening.

Competition powerhouse the Sydney Roosters, against the fairytale story of the Newcastle Knights.

The men from the Hunter are looking to become the first team to go from last to first since Western Suburbs in 1933-34.

The NRL Supercoach finals champion will also be crowned, with one gifted player to drive off in a brand new Hilux.

I won’t be trading in my trusty Hyundai sadly, scoring 600 points to sit in 16k overall.

Become a member of the SC Playbook community by subscribing for less than $2 per week! Gain access to additional premium articles on site every week, our Discord community, prize money and plenty more. Check it out here.

My captaincy selections have been poor, with James Tedesco (51) and Dylan Edwards (46) failing to fire on the weekend.

Fortunately, I knocked off Guru and Matty the Waterboy to keep our battle alive, which is where my target has been since missing Herbie’s 150 in week one.

Plenty of the analysis below will focus on the strength of edge defence for each club; check out statsinsider.com.au for more.

Keep in mind the stats come across the duration of the season, so personnel changes will have an impact.

Let’s take a look at the NRL Supercoach Finals week four teams analysis.

Embed from Getty Images

ROOSTERS vs KNIGHTS

Sunday, 7:30pm, Accor Stadium, Sydney

Roosters: 1. James Tedesco 2. Daniel Tupou 3. Billy Smith 4. Robert Toia 5. Mark Nawaqanitawase 6. Daly Cherry-Evans 7. Sam Walker 8. Naufahu Whyte 9. Reece Robson 10. Lindsay Collins 11. Salesi Foketi 12. Siua Wong 13. Victor Radley

Bench: 14. Connor Watson 15. Angus Crichton 16. Nat Butcher 17. Spencer Leniu 18. Hugo Savala 19. Cody Ramsey

Reserves: 20. Benaiah Ioelu 21. Tommy Talau 22. Egan Butcher

Knights: 1. Kalyn Ponga 2. Dominic Young 3. Dane Gagai 4. Bradman Best 5. Greg Marzhew 6. Fletcher Sharpe 7. Sandon Smith 8. Tyson Frizell 9. Phoenix Crossland 10. Cody Hopwood 11. Jermaine McEwen 12. Francis Manuleleua 13. Mathew Croker

Bench: 14. Harrison Graham 15. Lachlan Crouch 16. Pasami Saulo 17. Dylan Lucas 18. Fletcher Hunt 19. Thomas Cant

Reserves: 20. Kyle McCarthy 21. Diesel Hagan 22. Elijah Leaumoana

Embed from Getty Images

Analysis: Both sides have named unchanged squads from their preliminary final victories.

Connor Watson has been named as he remains hopeful of passing HIA protocols after suffering a concussion last week.

Phoenix Crossland has also been named, pending his judicial hearing. It is expected he will be suspended, and Harrison Graham will start at hooker.

The Knights concede 43% of tries down their left edge, compared to 32% down their right.

This statistically gives the edge to the right-edge attack of Rob Toia and Mark Nawaqanitawase.

Do note, though, that Bradman Best at centre naturally solidifies this edge substantially.

Marky Mark is averaging 95.3 points across the finals campaign so far, while Toia is just behind on 89.0.

Running one in Flex and having the combo is a serious option.

Embed from Getty Images

The Roosters concede 39% of tries down their right edge, compared to 32% on the left.

This statistically favours the left edge of the Knights in Bradman Best and Greg Marzhew.

Best has been in sensational form throughout the finals and is seeing better ball than Marzhew.

The Knights have been favouring their right edge in recent weeks, with Marzhew given little opportunity.

Embed from Getty Images

Despite Sandon Smith’s outstanding 95 points in the win over Penrith, Sam Walker is the clear pick of the halfbacks after a stunning early return from injury against the Dolphins.

James Tedesco vs Kalyn Ponga is near enough a coin toss for me.

Teddy is probably a touch safer; Ponga has the dazzle to go huge. Take your pick, or just run both!

Reece Robson will be the obvious play at hooker, don’t sleep on the talented Harrison Graham who replaces the likely suspended Phoenix Crossland though.

The only issue will be the question around the rookie’s minutes.

Embed from Getty Images

Once again, Fletcher Sharpe is the most obvious pick of the five-eighths on recent Supercoach pedigree.

Despite this, he has an equal average to Sandon Smith at 58.7 in finals, with both well behind Daly Cherry-Evans at 64.3.

Outside of probably halfback and hooker, every position is pretty wide open.

It’ll make for an exciting climax to the NRL Supercoach Finals campaign. 

Good luck to all!