Dolphins and Sydney Roosters meet at Suncorp Stadium in Finals Week 3 of the 2026 NRL season this Friday, 25th September. Check out our preview and tips below.
Preliminary finals weekend kicks off with an absolute belter from Suncorp Stadium with the Dolphins 80 minutes away from making the decider in their first finals campaign while the Roosters look to return to the big game for the first time since 2019 and the fourth time in the Trent Robinson era. The numbers are certainly in favour of the Dolphins advancing in a low-scoring game. Over the last decade, 17 of the 20 teams who have enjoyed the week off have won the preliminary final while 13 of the last 16 have failed to surpass 44 points. The Dolphins won both matches between these teams convincingly this year – 48-10 and 26-12 – with the latter coming two weeks out from the finals. The respective records of each team against Top 4 opposition: the Dolphins are 16-9 against the spread while the Roosters are 10-19 against the number. The Dolphins have covered six of eight at Suncorp, six of eight as a favourite of less than a converted try and seven of 10 off conceding 16 or fewer. The Roosters have covered just four of 11 at Suncorp and three of 10 as a dog of less than a converted try. The Dolphins can be bet with confidence. The under is also a very good play here. Preliminary finals have generally been low-scoring and we have two of the four best defensive sides meeting here. The under has hit in five straight Dolphins night games and is 5-1 when the Dolphins have rest of at least 11 days. The under has hit in 12 of the last 16 Roosters night games and is 31-21 when the Roosters are off conceding 18 or fewer. Jeremy Marshall-King has just three tries this season but it is more than noteworthy that two of those have come in his two games against the Sydney Roosters. The Roosters concede 29% of tries through their middle third channel – the third highest percentage of any team this year – with teams taking advantage of the big Roosters middles when fatigue sets in. The Roosters weakest edge is their right which sets up well for Herbie Farnworth. Farnworth has five tries in his last four games, has scored in both games against the Roosters this year and has crossed in four of his last five against the Chooks.
Tips
Best: Dolphins -2.5 ($1.90)
Next: Dolphins/Under 45.5 ($3.30)
Tryscorer: Jeremy Marshall-King ($41 First, $7.50 Anytime)
SGM: Jeremy Marshall-King Try/Herbie Farnworth Try ($13.02)
Dolphins vs Sydney Roosters Odds & Popular Betting Markets
Here’s a quick look at the current odds and popular betting markets for the Dolphins vs Sydney Roosters matchup.
*odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change
| Team | Odds | |
|---|---|---|
| Sydney Roosters (2.5) | 1.85 | Bet Now |
| Dolphins (-2.5) | 1.96 | Bet Now |
NRL odds correct as of 25/09/2026 and subject to change. Event scheduled to start at 25/09/2026 9:50pm NZST.
NRL odds correct as of 25/09/2026 and subject to change. Event scheduled to start at 25/09/2026 9:50pm NZST.