Why the Roosters are privately miffed at their 15-year first finals schedule

September 21, 2026 — 5:00amThe great irony of the Roosters’ attempt to conquer one of the NRL’s toughest finals schedules in almost two decades is that Sam Walker’s potential return offers Trent Robinson the rarest gift of all – his first full-strength side in a play-offs match for years.Walker will on Monday continue his push to play in Friday’s grand final qualifier against the Dolphins, 27 days after suffering what was feared to be season-ending syndesmosis damage against the Redcliffe-based side.The Roosters are gearing up for their second six-day turnaround of the finals series, a schedule no team has faced since the NRL’s current finals format was adopted in 2011.Robinson has bitten his tongue publicly after a gruelling 19-12 loss to Penrith on Sunday in week one of the finals and Saturday night’s thumping win over Cronulla.Behind the scenes, Roosters officials are miffed at the scheduling disparities that have been complicated by the Warriors hosting games in New Zealand – with time slots that suit Australian and New Zealand broadcasters a key issue.A string of late-season losses for the Roosters – most notably a one-point defeat to lowly Wests Tigers – dropped them from first to fourth place on the ladder.Happy Chooks: Billy Smith and Sam Walker celebrate the Roosters’ win over Cronulla.NRL ImageryConversely, a win over the Dolphins on Friday would secure the Roosters a precious two extra days of recovery time on their grand final opponents – with Penrith or Newcastle only afforded a seven-day lead-in to the October 4 decider.“It’s a little bit surprising, I would say that this has happened,” Robinson said of the Roosters’ back-to-back six-day finals turnarounds.“I wouldn’t say that it’s happened too often. I might be wrong on that, but we’ll be ready to go on Friday … physically, I feel like we’re in good shape.”Given Walker has returned to running and kicking at training in the past week, it is now more likely than not that he will complete a remarkable return and take his place against the Dolphins on Friday night. Egan Butcher is also progressing through concussion protocols after suffering a head knock against Penrith.Angus Crichton’s comeback against Cronulla from a three-month lay-off with a broken foot leaves bench forward Blake Steep (ACL) as the Roosters’ only unavailable first-grader.Considering the regular injury toll the Roosters have endured in recent seasons, it is a welcome change of tune come finals time, even with the shortened preparations that come with two finals in 12 days for Robinson’s side.Walker’s return also raises the prospect of a back-line reshuffle given Hugo Savala’s likely shift back to centre would make Billy Smith an unfortunate casualty.Crichton has worked alongside Walker in the club’s thinning rehab group and said of his star halfback: “I am so happy for him. He looks like he is in less pain than I am. He is running, kicking and doing everything at training. It’s pretty impressive. He is a big part of this team and worked so hard like all of us have. He deserves it, so hopefully he can keep pushing it and come back.”Under the NRL’s previous finals system, the Jarryd Hayne-led Eels of 2009 thumped the Titans on a five-day turnaround after their famous week one win over the Dragons.A year earlier, the Storm played three finals in 18 days before they were thrashed 40-0 in the 2008 grand final by Manly.Dan Walsh is a sports reporter for The Sydney Morning Herald.Connect via X or email.From our partners