Brisbane Broncos win NRLW premiership after surviving Sydney Roosters fightback

The Brisbane Broncos overcame a valiant Sydney Roosters comeback to secure their fourth NRLW premiership with a 22-18 victory in a see-sawing and spiteful grand final marked by sickening collisions and a shoving match at the final whistle.

The Broncos were fortunate in having the crucial, match-winning try awarded by the video referee, after Mele Hufanga appeared to be held up by Jasmin Strange and Olivia Kernick. With just four minutes left, the Broncos centre – who was named Karyn Murphy Medallist for player of the match – grounded the ball to push her side into the lead. Although the try was awarded, the slow motion replay was far from conclusive.

Fullback Tamika Upton, who has now won five grand finals and scored the Broncos’ first try on Sunday, appeared shocked by the late drama at the final whistle, and swore in the Channel Nine coverage. “Fuck, the girls really put in all season for that,” she said. “We got a bit comfortable at half-time there. The Roosters came back like the champion team they are, but [I’m] so proud of the girls, particularly our young ones stepping up.”

The result ended an 18-match winning streak from the Roosters, who had also won their last five games against the Broncos. After a clunky first half, the minor premiers faced a 12-point deficit. But they finally showed life 10 minutes into the second half, when fullback Brydie Parker scythed through the Broncos defence to score a long-range try direct from a scrum play. Corban Baxter engaged the line and found Parker, who jinked around Hufanga, streaked through the backfield and carried Upton over in the corner.

Seconds before, Broncos winger Hayley Maddick was inches away from an intercept that would have put Brisbane up 18-0. But she couldn’t keep control of it, and the midfield scrum flipped the momentum in an instant. Within five minutes, the Roosters were level after Eliza Lopamaua held three Broncos at bay to put the ball down.

Mele Hufanga scores the match-winning try for the Brisbane Broncos in the NRLW grand final against the Sydney Roosters at Accor Stadium. Photograph: Dan Himbrechts/AAP

The Roosters then put their noses in front by a sharp blindside move set up by Destiny Brill and Jess Sergis, and finished by Mia Wood in the corner. They survived a scare almost immediately afterwards, when Broncos centre Julia Robinson picked up a handling error from the Roosters. But the video referee brought play back, much to the frustrations of tens of thousands of Broncos fans who had arrived in time to enjoy their club in both the men’s and women’s showpiece.

Those fans were rewarded not long after however when Shalom Sauaso cashed over with nine minutes to go. The conversion from Romy Teitzel skewed wide however, the first miss in an afternoon of otherwise flawless demonstration of kicking. The failed attempt left the Roosters hanging onto a two point lead, until Hufanga crossed to secure the victory for the Broncos.

Roosters captain Isabelle Kelly said she was proud of her team’s effort, despite the result. “When you look at our group and the adversity and the resilience that we’ve built this year with so many injuries to key players, I’m so proud that the score line was like because we just dug so deep and we did everything we could for each other.”

They lost playmaker Tarryn Aiken to a serious knee injury three weeks ago, and suffered a blow before the game had even begun. Winger Taina Naividi ruptured her ACL at Saturday’s final training session, forcing a late change. Mia Wood shifted from the bench onto the wing.

Brisbane Broncos players celebrate winning the NRLW grand final match against Sydney Roosters. Photograph: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

But that was not the only late change. Brisbane coach Scott Prince decided to start Brill at hooker and starting Jada Ferguson from the bench. The move looked a masterstroke 29 minutes in when Ferguson forced her way over from a dummy half scurry for her side’s second try.

After becoming coach in 2023, Prince has helped redirect the Broncos back towards the summit of the NRLW. Sunday’s clash also had personal significance, marking 20 years’ since his Clive Churchill Medal-winning performance in the NRL grand final for the Wests Tigers. But his contribution to the Broncos could be even greater. Brisbane’s triumph on Sunday was their first premiership since 2020, and re-asserted their status as the nation’s premier women’s club.