Can the Roosters avoid a 'genuine disaster' in finals?

With the Roosters set to embark on their 10th straight finals series, Denan Kemp believes the club must make it to the preliminary final to avoid their season being a ‘genuine disaster’.

With a bolstered spine through Origin representatives Reece Robson and Daly Cherry-Evans joining in the off-season, Sydney have enjoyed plenty of success in 2026.

And after slaying the Panthers for only the second time in their last 14 clashes in Round 24, the Tricolours were in top spot with three rounds left in the season and appeared on track for a top two finish.

But three straight losses to the Tigers, Dolphins and Rabbitohs saw them slide to fourth spot. Alongside those losses, a syndesmosis injury to Sam Walker has seen their premiership hopes take a massive hit.

With Sydney gearing up for their qualifying final against Penrith, the former Broncos and Warriors winger believes this clash shapes up as Grand Final-esque for Trent Robinson’s men.  

“I think this is a Grand Final for the Roosters,” Kemp told SEN’s Saturday League Kick-Off.

“They need to treat this like a Grand Final because if they can beat the Panthers, ‘Jeez, things changed drastically for them heading into it’.

“I do think the Roosters have a chance. I absolutely do think Sam Walker is a loss; they are a better side with Sam Walker in it.

“But to suggest a spine of (James) Tedesco, DCE, Reece Robson and Hugo Savala can't go all the way to a Grand Final, I think that's insane.

“In what world are those three Origin players and a great young half coming through not good enough? Far lesser spines have made Grand Finals, far lesser spines than that.

“So, the Roosters absolutely have the team to get to a Grand Final. Anything less than a prelim for the Roosters is a disaster, genuine disaster.

“Even if they lose (to Penrith) they're playing, the winner of the Sharks and the Cowboys.

“If they can't beat the Sharks or the Cowboys with this squad, with everything building towards where they need to get to, I'd be shocked beyond belief.”

The Roosters travel to CommBank Stadium on Sunday to face the ladder-leading Penrith Panthers for the chance of a home preliminary final.

SEN League will have live coverage of every NRL Finals game across our radio network and on the SEN app.