Opinion
Malcolm Knox Journalist, author and columnist October 3, 2026 — 9:30am
My favourite memory of the 2026 NRL season is the night I went to a Roosters home game in order to discover that their fans are human, too.
It’s a difficult case to make this week, when approximately 110 per cent of the rugby league world is wishing for another Newcastle miracle. The Roosters are the appropriate villains, and will embrace being cast as the black princes of this fairytale.
The evidence against the Roosters’ humanity is old and basic: too much money and influence – the same reasons Manly and the Broncos have been rugby league’s most hated clubs. Of course you hate the rich and entitled – that’s the world, and that’s rugby league.
Nick Politis’ billions have helped make the club what it is, but it’s not just the money.
There’s the shiny new home for the club supported by all those Scots College and Cranbrook boys, courtesy of the NSW taxpayer.
There is the self-arrogating of the name “Sydney”. There is the cosy relationship with Fox Sports, whereby Roosters ease from the field to the commentary booth and studio, a promise of post-career employment that falls outside that mythical guardrail, the salary cap.
Newcastle’s Francis Manuleleua and the Roosters’ Naufahu Whyte share a laugh during the week. Pleasantries will be set aside
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