NRL preliminary final: Dolphins and Roosters battle for Grand Final spot – how to watch
The Dolphins host the Roosters in the NRL preliminary final at Suncorp Stadium on September 25. The match is available for free on 9Now in Australia, with other broadcasters covering it internationally. The winner advances to the Grand Final.
The Dolphins enter this preliminary final riding momentum from a 26-16 qualifying-final victory over the Warriors, though their season nearly unraveled after a 66-0 defeat to the Sharks in July. Key contributors include English centre Herbie Farnworth and halfback Isaiya Katoa, with the side having already beaten the Roosters 26-12 last month.
The Roosters counter with extensive finals experience, having reached the postseason in 13 of the past 14 campaigns. Veterans James Tedesco, Daniel Tupou, Victor Radley, Angus Crichton, and Nat Butcher remain from the 2019 premiership squad. Crichton returned from injury in last week's 46-10 rout of the Sharks, while Daly Cherry-Evans shifts to five-eighth as Sam Walker reclaims the halfback role. Mark Nawaqanitawase hopes to extend his farewell NRL campaign before moving to Japanese rugby.
This match could draw substantial viewership across Australia given the free 9Now broadcast, potentially reaching casual sports fans beyond dedicated NRL followers. The Dolphins' rapid rise as a fourth-year expansion club may inspire broader interest in new franchise models, while the Roosters' veteran core represents a contrasting narrative of sustained success. International broadcast coverage could expand the NRL's global audience, particularly in the US and UK markets, though the early-morning kickoff in North America may limit live engagement there.