Saturday evening at Allianz Stadium delivers the game of the round, and potentially one of the most important matches of the entire regular season. The Roosters sit third, the Dolphins fourth, and the winner puts itself in prime position for a top 2 finish if either the Warriors or Panthers slip over the final fortnight.
Ben Bridge is back with his preview and NRL tips for the Roosters vs Dolphins!
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Roosters vs Dragons Predictions & Tips: NRL Round 26 2026
The stakes could hardly be higher, and that is exactly why I prefer a margin market rather than trying to force a side. Either side to win by 1-12 points is the best betting angle in a contest I expect to remain tight deep into the second half.
The Roosters are coming off the upset of the season, somehow losing 25-24 to the Tigers after entering as enormous favourites. The Dolphins, meanwhile, overcame a slow start to beat Parramatta 34-16 and remain firmly inside the top four.
James Tedesco has again been named to return after three games out with an ankle injury, although his status remains one to monitor. Victor Radley is out after a head knock, with Nat Butcher starting at lock. The Dolphins are virtually unchanged from last week and have Max Plath back in the starting side.
Roosters Cop Massive Reality Check
The Roosters’ 25-24 loss to Wests Tigers was an extraordinary result and a reminder that no team can afford to coast at this stage of the season. Sydney had an opportunity to consolidate top spot and instead became victims of one of the biggest upsets of 2026, with Jock Madden kicking the winning field goal in the 79th minute.
The decisive moment came after Naufahu Whyte attempted a loose offload while the Roosters were attacking. Terrell May intercepted, Wests moved into position and Madden calmly slotted the field goal from around 30 metres out.
It was a costly defeat. The Chooks dropped from first to third and now have almost no margin for error in the race for a top 2 finish. That makes this week fascinating.
The Roosters have been one of the competition’s best teams across the second half of the season, and one poor result does not erase that. Daly Cherry-Evans and Sam Walker remain one of the best halves combinations in the competition, Reece Robson has added enormous control at hooker and their forward pack can match almost anyone.
Tedesco’s possible return would be massive. He has been named several times recently without ultimately taking the field, so his status needs watching, but if he plays, he restores the home team’s best yardage player and support runner.
Radley’s absence takes away some middle aggression and defensive leadership, but Nat Butcher is a reliable replacement.
Most importantly, there should be absolutely no complacency this week. The Tigers loss was the warning shot. Against a Dolphins side capable of putting 40 on anyone, the Roosters will know another slow performance could cost them a home final.
Dolphins Clinch Their Opportunity
The Dolphins’ 34-16 victory over Parramatta was another example of their ability to recover after a poor start. The Eels raced to a 10-0 lead, but the Dolphins eventually overwhelmed them with their back five power and superior middle depth.
Herbie Farnworth and Selwyn Cobbo were enormous, combining for 480 run metres from 39 carries and 16 tackle breaks, while Jamayne Isaako added two tries and five goals. Young forward Brian Pouniu also produced an outstanding performance in just his second career game, running for 148 metres and making 39 tackles.
That outside back dominance is the reason the Dolphins can genuinely challenge the Roosters. Farnworth, Cobbo, Hammer, Bostock and Isaako can turn average field position into attacking field position in one set.
The concern is their slow starts. Conceding early points has become something of a habit, including against Brisbane and Parramatta. That cannot happen against the Roosters. If the Dolphins give Cherry-Evans and Walker a 12-0 start at Allianz, climbing back into the contest becomes considerably harder.
Still, the Dolphins enter knowing a win guarantees a top 4 finish and puts them in the box seat for a top 2 position depending on other results. Their motivation should not be in question.
Isaiya Katoa gives the visitors composure in the halves, Jeremy Marshall-King provides ruck control, and the forward rotation has enough depth to prevent the Roosters from dominating through the middle.
This is not the Dolphins side the Roosters smashed late last season. They are a genuine premiership contender now.
Roosters vs Dolphins Recent History
These clubs have produced some wild results since the Dolphins entered the competition. Earlier this season, the Dolphins embarrassed the Roosters 48-10 at Suncorp Stadium, their first victory over them since the Dolphins’ inaugural game in 2023.
The Roosters dominated both meetings last season, including an extraordinary 64-12 win at Suncorp Stadium, after beating the Dolphins 36-26 earlier in 2025. High scoring games have also been the norm, with an average of 55 points score per game.
Recent results:
- 2026 Round 13: Dolphins vs Roosters 48-10
- 2025 Round 5: Roosters def Dolphins 64-12
- 2025 Round 18: Roosters def Dolphins 36-26
- 2024 Round 21: Roosters def Dolphins 40-34
- 2023 Round 10: Roosters def Dolphins 30-14
Game of the Round Goes to the Wire
I can make a case for either side here. The Roosters have the better big game pedigree, are at home and should produce a huge response after the Tigers embarrassment.
The Dolphins have arguably the more damaging outside backs, are playing with confidence and already destroyed the Roosters once this season. That is why I do not want to pick a side.
The top 2 implications should also help keep this compressed. Both teams have too much at stake to play recklessly. Cherry-Evans, Walker and Robson should place a premium on field position, while Katoa and Marshall-King can do the same for the Dolphins.
There will be periods where the game opens up because both backlines are too dangerous for that not to happen. But over 80 minutes, I expect the lead to change hands and neither team to create permanent separation.
Tedesco is the main late mail variable. If he plays, the Rooster’s attacking ceiling rises considerably. If he is ruled out again, the Dolphins become more appealing outright. That uncertainty is another reason the margin bet makes sense early in the week.
The Round 15 result will also be front of mind for the Roosters. Losing 48-10 was humiliating, and Trent Robinson will have spent plenty of time on how the Dolphins dominated their yardage and ruck control.
The visitors must be better early than they were against Parramatta. If they gift the Roosters a big start, the tight margin bet immediately becomes vulnerable.
But these are two top 4 calibre sides playing for a potential home final. I expect a finals style finish rather than a blowout.
Either Team By 1-12
$1.80 (2 units)
Roosters vs Dolphins Player Prop Bet: Isaako to Continue Form
Jamayne Isaako can’t stop scoring tries, and I’ll back him in again this week against the Roosters. Isaako has 6 tries in his past 5 games, and 21 in 22 games this season. Interestingly, hasn’t scored in his last three games against the Roosters, so he’s due.
Jamayne Isaako Anytime Try Scorer
$1.92
Roosters vs Dolphins Same Game Multi
Leg 1: Either side by (1-12) – See above best bet, I expect a tight contest that could go either way.
Leg 2 J Isaako (1+ try) – See above best prop bet.
Leg 3: B Smith (1+ try) – Has looked unstoppable on the left wing for the Roosters, and with the Dolphins struggling defensively on the right, I’ll take Smith to continue his form.
Roosters vs Dolphins Betting Odds & Match Info
Date: Saturday 29th August
Location: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Time: 5:30pm (AEST)
Odds: Roosters ($1.55) vs Dolphins ($2.45)
Line: Roosters -4.5
Points: 47.5
Where to Watch Roosters vs Dolphins
Watch the Roosters vs Dolphins match live and ad free on Kayo Sports.
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