NRLW 2025 grand final: Brisbane Broncos beat Sydney Roosters - as it happened

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Match report

Here’s our match report from Jack Snape live at the stadium. Enjoy and happy rugby league Christmas!

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Summary

Megan Maurice

A game that was absolutely fitting for a grand final today – it was physical, tough and fast right from the opening whistle. While the Broncos found early ascendancy, taking a 12-point lead into the sheds at half-time, the Roosters would not be stopped. I think we’d all love to hear exactly what John Strange said to rev them up during the break, because they came out a changed team. Once they scored their first try, they looked unstoppable and continued to build momentum.

In hindsight, I think the non-try to Julia Robinson that was originally awarded, but then taken away by the bunker for a knock on after the forward pass, was the real turning point. While the points weren’t awarded, it gave the Broncos real belief that they still had the ability to win the game. When they got the ball back through the scrum feed, they played harder and faster and no longer seemed to be on the back foot. From there, they continued to surge at the Roosters’ line with persistence and determination and eventually came away with the win.

While the finish was not without controversy, it was certainly a memorable game that will be talked about for many years to come. The Roosters will feel disappointed to have let the match slip through their fingers when they were in control, especially after such a strong season. But no doubt they will be back better and stronger next year.

Thanks so much for joining me today – I hope you enjoyed the frenetic pace of the game as much as I did. Certainly one of the great grand finals. Let’s hope the men’s game can live up to the excitement of this one!

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We now hear from the winning co-captains – Tamika Upton and Ali Brigginshaw.

“Strangie and the Roosters, what a game,” said Brigginshaw. “I know that you faced some adversity there with so many injuries, but you just showed how truly classy your team is and the club and what you’ve been able to do as a club.”

Upton finishes it off with a succinct message to her team.

“We bloody love you guys. Let’s party!”

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Isabelle Kelly speaks on behalf of her team. Her voice is full of disappointment, but she stands up and delivers a classy address.

“I just want to thank the Brisbane Broncos for a great match,” she said. “You guys have been incredible all season, and I’m really glad that it was us showcasing what we can do in women’s rugby league for the grand final, so thank you. To my team and the coaching staff, I think we’ve had such an incredible year off the field. The footy is just a bonus that we get to play together. I think 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 scoreline was close, because we just dug so deep and we did everything we could for each. I’m so proud to call myself a Rooster.”

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Karen Murphy Medallist: Mele Hufanga

No surprises here, Hufanga was pivotal in this match – what a superstar. She’s emotional on receiving her medal. She keeps things short and sweet.

“I want to thank the Roosters, you played a big game out there,” she said. “Thank you for playing. I’d like to thank our friends and family who turned up to Sydney today. Last but not least, to my teammates. I love you guys.”

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Updated at 02.59 EDT

For the Roosters, Corbin Baxter looks disappointed, but is able to hold her head up as she speaks to Marlee Silva.

“We knew that we were letting Broncos play really fast footy,” she said. “We just had to control a little bit more, knew that we could be better and really brought in that second half, but it went right to the end. I’m just so proud of the girls. You know, we’ve been through a lot of adversity. A lot of girls went down the season and this week, so we had a lot to play for. Just disappointing that we couldn’t finish it off.”

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Tamika Upton looks relieved more than ecstatic as Jonathan Thurston interviews her after full time.

“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 so proud of the girls, particularly our young ones stepping up there.”

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Full-time: Broncos 22-18 Roosters

What a game! Momemtum swung back and forth – at half-time it looked like it was all Broncos, but the Roosters came back so hard and seemed like they were going to seal the premiership. The Broncos showed why you should never write off a Queensland team with a determined finish. While the final try was steeped in controversy, you can’t fault the effort and the fight of the Broncos and even if the last try hadn’t been awarded, they look like they would have found a way to score.

Still more to come with the presentations about to take place, so stay with us!

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Updated at 03.01 EDT

70 mins: The Broncos don’t look to slow things down, they continue to play attacking football as they march downfield. They run it on the fifth and the Roosters get probably one last set to try to win this game. Kelleher puts up an early kick and there are Roosters chasing it, but Brigginshaw is all over it and she pulls the ball in to put the final nail in the Roosters’ coffin. The Broncos get a penalty with 30 seconds left. Brigginshaw leaves the field for an HIA with 20 seconds to go, but she has done her job well and truly. The game ends with a four-point win to the Broncos and immediately a fight breaks out. Peak rugby league!

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68 mins: The Roosters attempt a short kick off, but the Broncos are ready for it and Upton comes up with the ball. Hufanga again makes a great line break, gets a pass away, but Baxter makes a great tackle to stop the try. The Roosters don’t have long now to claw back their lead. They will need something special, but they can’t manage it in this set.

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GOAL! Broncos 22-18 Roosters (Clark, 65')

Clark knocks it over and we’re in for a tight finish!

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TRY! Broncos 20-18 Roosters (Hufanga, 65')

Upton makes a great line break, but Davis again makes a desperate tackle to cut her off. A neat little kick goes into the in goal, but Kelly and Baxter dive on it to ensure it’s not a try. Kelly is having some trouble with her ankle, while Davis and Butler both have huge eggs on their faces after a head clash in that try saving tackle. Surprisingly, it seems like neither are being removed for the HIA. The Broncos get another attempt through the line drop out and the Roosters must get through a tough set with injuries all over them. Hufanga gets over the line with power – confirmed by the bunker but it doesn’t look like she gets grass under that ball!

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Updated at 03.25 EDT

64 mins: Davis digs deep in defence to hold the Broncos on the 40m line to finish the set and the Roosters get another chance in attack. Fressard looks for a gap through the middle, but is shut down by Clark. Kelleher finishes the set with a good kick that turns the Broncos around, but they pick it up on the second bounce and push down the field.

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62 mins: It’s so tight here and both teams are feeling the pressure as the crowd continues to grow. Sauaso starts the set the way she finished the last, with a strong run at the defence.

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TRY! Broncos 16-18 Roosters (Sauaso, 60')

Determined attack from the Broncos, putting numbers out wide to spread the Roosters defence, but Sauaso dives over close to the post. However Teitzel sprays the kick wide and the Roosters hold on to a two-point lead.

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Updated at 02.31 EDT

60 mins: Just 10 minutes to go in this match now and both teams are desperate to put some more points on the board. Upton starts the Broncos set with a strong take in the air. Brigginshaw finds herself in space, but as she looks to pass, the Roosters wrap her up with a strong tackle, but get a hand on the ball and knock it on, so the Broncos get the scrum feed just outside the Roosters’ 20m.

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58 mins: The momentum is all with the Roosters, but then they lose the ball after a forward pass and Robinson pounces on it, picks it up cleanly and sprints for the tryline with nothing but clear air in front of her. She scores, but the bunker intervenes and finds that Brigginshaw knocked on by getting a hand on the ball after the forward pass against the Roosters was ruled. Once again, the Broncos get the ball back, but lose the points they thought they had. They get down close to the tryline, but Brill is tackled on the fifth for a handover. The Roosters go on the attack again.

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Updated at 02.31 EDT

56 mins: Here come the Roosters again, they are a changed team this half. Parker makes some great post-contact metres to keep her team on the front foot.

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GOAL! Broncos 12-18 Roosters (Kelleher, 55')

Another sensational kick from the sideline puts the Roosters ahead by a converted try!

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TRY! Broncos 12-16 Roosters (Wood, 53')

A huge hit up from Pule sets the vibe of the set for the Roosters from the kick off and suddenly they’re deep in Broncos territory. They swing the ball out wide and Sergis draws the defence before sending a pass out to Wood, who dives over in the corner.

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Updated at 02.20 EDT

GOAL! Broncos 12-12 Roosters (Kelleher, 52')

A much easier one for Kelleher and the scores are level!

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TRY! Broncos 12-10 Roosters (Lopamaua, 50')

A huge play by the Roosters from an offload by Kernick. Lopamaua powers through to the tryline, beating three defenders to put the ball over the line.

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Updated at 02.15 EDT

51 mins: Another good hit up from Lenarduzzi looks like it will set something up for the Broncos, but Brigginshaw throws a poor pass and the Roosters get a scrum feed, just inside the Broncos’ half. Sergis makes a good tackle break and the Roosters push up field.

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49 mins: The Roosters have found some momentum after that try and it’s a strong set from them, but they lose the ball on the final tackle, when they’re within 10m of the tryline.

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GOAL! Broncos 12-6 Roosters (Kelleher 47')

A tough kick for Kelleher from the edge, but she nails it.

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TRY! Broncos 12-4 Roosters (Parker, 45')

The ball work from the Roosters gets a little loose and Maddick nearly pulls off an intercept that would put her into very clear space. But she can’t hold on to it and from the scrum feed, the Roosters find space on the right and Parker gets past Upton to score in the corner.

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Updated at 02.10 EDT

45 mins: Kelleher makes another 40/30 attempt – this time kicking on the third tackle. It nearly evades Upton, but she eventually manages to reel it in and then storms down the field. A strong hit up from Lenarduzzi, followed by an offload looks to spark something, but Kernick makes a try saving tackle to stop Ferguson from scoring. Just 25 mins left for the Roosters to turn this around.

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43 mins: Another set for the Broncos from the scrum – they are looking patient and confident here, knowing the Roosters are on the back foot. Upton makes a good break and offloads it to Hufanga, but this time the Roosters are on to her and she’s brought down.

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41 mins: Another brilliant run from Hufanga – she has racked up some seriously impressive post-contact metres today. A nice high kick from Brigginshaw, but Baxter fields it well. Sergis makes a brilliant break along the sideline, but doesn’t have support and she’s brought down by Upton. They swing the ball to the other side of the field, but a little knock on brings them undone.

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Updated at 02.03 EDT

39 mins: Hufanga gets the set underway with another great run and in the blink of an eye, they’re within touching distance of the tryline. Sauaso drives at the line and looks for all money like she’s going to score, but the Roosters make another desperate defensive effort to hold her out and get the handover. Kelleher gets a nice pass away to Strange that looks like it might set up a line break, but the Broncos defence is on top of it.

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37 mins: Another good kick off from Kelleher gets us underway, but the Broncos hold on to this one. Brigginshaw slips early in the set and it looks like she’s in trouble for a minute, but she appears to have avoided an injury. The Broncos complete their first set and the Roosters have their first opportunity in the second half. Sergis is ruled to knock on, but she immediately challenges it. The bunker rules there is no stripping action and the challenge is unsuccessful.

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We’re not far away from the second half now – these 70 minute games just fly by! Personally I think the next era of the NRLW should involve 80 minute games – who wouldn’t want 10 more minutes of a game like this?

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