NRLW Grand Final: Broncos edge Roosters in epic decider

Press Conferences

There was plenty of action in a dramatic NRLW grand final, so be sure to tune into the live stream of the post-game press conferences for all the fall out.

Karyn Murphy Medallist: Mele Hufanga is the Karyn Murphy Medallist after a barnstorming performance that saw her score the winning try. The Brisbane centre finished the match with a game-high 199 run metres, 17 tackle breaks and two line breaks to write her name into NRLW history.

Fulltime: Ali Brigginshaw has secured the Brisbane Broncos their first NRLW title since 2020. The Roosters put a desperation chip over the top but Brigginshaw leapt through the air to pluck the ball out of the air amid a heavy collision with Aliyah Nasio. Brigginshaw was sent from the field for an HIA but it is not to matter with the clock running down soon after. The Broncos were in complete control at the break, before the Roosters found their stride and scored three tries in the space of 10 minutes to hit the front. Brisbane kept coming, however, and Mele Hufanga scored in the 65th minute to secure her side the premiership. Roosters 18 - Broncos 22.

69th minute: The Roosters have 80 seconds to go 95 metres to win this game. Roosters 18 - Broncos 22.

66th minute: Mele Hufanga has been dominant with ball in hand this afternoon and she's just produced a barnstorming carry to put her team in front. Olivia Kernick and Jasmin Strange produced a desperate tackle and did their best to hold the ball up, but the Bunker has confirmed the on-field decision that the ball touched the grass. Roosters 18 - Broncos 22.

65th minute: The Broncos are coming and the Roosters are out on their feet. Ali Brigginshaw has forced a line dropout, but there is more concern for a host of others. Isabelle Kelly, Keeley Davis and Rima Butler are all down receiving treatment after multiple separate collisions. All three will stay on the field for now. Roosters 18 - Broncos 16.

62nd minute: The Broncos have capitalised on the field position, with Shalom Sauaso. The Dally M Rookie of the Year crashed over from close range, charging through an attempted tackle by Brydie Parker and Olivia Kernick. The Roosters were short defensively and were looking out the back to Tamika Upton, but the ball went short and Sauaso barged through. Romy Teitzel's kick was wide of the mark and Brisbane remain two points behind with eight minutes to play. Roosters 18 - Broncos 16.

60th minute: We are into the final 10 and the Broncos have a chance to strike back. Ali Brigginshaw bounced out of a tackle and broke straight through before coming up to Corban Baxter. The Roosters fullback knocked the ball down, with Brisbane having a scrum and a full set to attack. Roosters 12 - Broncos 18.

57th minute: It looks like this game has plenty more twists and turns left in it. The Roosters continued to roll down the field, as they have done for the past 10 minutes. This time, however, Jocelyn Kelleher's pass did not go to hand, Julia Robinson scooped it up and ran 60 metres to score under the posts. For the second time today, however, the Bunker has spotted a Brisbane hand and the try has been taken off the board. Roosters 18 - Broncos 12.

54th minute: The Roosters have scored three tries in nine minutes to hit the front and turn this game on its head. Brisbane were in complete control at the break, however the Roosters have been a different team in the second half. Fresh off the Lopamaua try, John Strange's side rolled straight down the field before Mia Wood finished it off in the right corner. Jocelyn Kelleher landed another sideline conversion and the defending premiers are on top. Roosters 18 - Broncos 12.

51st minute: This game has well and truly swung and we are locked up. An errant Ali Brigginshaw pass handed the Roosters possession and they quickly capitalised. Eliza Lopamaua produced a powerful charge to carry multiple Broncos over the line and slam the ball down. The forward bobbled the ball in the tackle but the Bunker has ruled it did not touch a Brisbane defender and awarded the try. Roosters 12 - Broncos 12.

46th minute: The Roosters have hit back and we have a game on our hands. Brydie Parker skipped to the outside, blew straight past Mele Hufanga and set sail for the corner. Tamika Upton was coming across in cover defence but she couldn't get there in time and Parker has the Roosters' first points of the game. Jocelyn Kelleher then nailed the sideline conversion to cut the deficit to one converted try. Roosters 6 - Broncos 12.

41st minute: The Roosters have had their best chance to strike, however the opportunity has gone begging. Jess Sergis sped past Mele Hufanga on the right edge, making 30 metres before she was tackled by Tamika Upton. The Roosters shifted the ball to the left on the next play, with Isabelle Kelly taking on Julia Robinson. The ball hit the deck and with no Captain's Challenge left, the Broncos receive a scrum and a breather. The Roosters have made a positional change after the break, with Corban Baxter moving to fullback and Brydie Parker playing five-eighth. Roosters 0 - Broncos 12.

37th minute: We have an early Captain's Challenge by the Roosters after Jess Sergis spilled the ball in a tackle. The centre argued the ball was stripped, however the Bunker disagreed and quickly dismissed the challenge. Roosters 0 - Broncos 12.

Kick-off: We are back for the second half, with the Roosters looking to strike first as they attempt to reel in the Broncos. Brisbane were superb in the opening 35 minutes and are eager to consolidate their advantage with early points. Roosters 0 - Broncos 12.

Half-time: The Broncos head to the sheds with a 12-point lead after a clinical half of football. Mele Hufanga has looked damaging with each touch of the ball, while Gayle Broughton has also posed plenty of questions for the Roosters defence. The defending champions made too many errors in the opening half, turning the ball over seven times, while they also missed 34 tackles. Roosters 0 - Broncos 12.

32nd minute: They're behind on the scoreboard, but the Roosters have received some positive news. Brydie Parker has passed her HIA and returned to the field in a big boost a couple of minutes before half-time. Roosters 0 - Broncos 12.

29th minute: The Broncos have extended their lead. A Jess Sergis error handed Scott Prince's side a chance to attack and they have capitalised. The Roosters initially held firm, but they were unable to stop Jada Ferguson who darted from dummy half on the last tackle. Roosters 0 - Broncos 12

25th minute: The Roosters had a chance to hit back after Jocelyn Kelleher forced a line dropout, however the Broncos defence was up to the task. The Roosters attacked to the left, but Aliyah Nasio was bundled into touch. John Strange's side has struggled in attack since Brydie Parker left the field, the fullback's absence triggering a reshuffle. Corban Baxter moved to fullback and Keeley Davis and Olivia Kernick have taken on a greater playmaking role. Roosters 0 - Broncos 6.

19th minute: This time the Broncos are on the board. It was a fairly simple set play from the scrum, with Tamika Upton getting on the outside of Jocelyn Kelleher and sliding through to score the opening points of the grand final. Amid the mayhem, Brydie Parker has left the field for an HIA after the collision with Romy Teitzel. Roosters 0 - Broncos 6.

18th minute: The Broncos are on the board. Or are they? A charging run from Mele Hufanga put the side on the front foot before Ali Brigginshaw produced a towering bomb towards Brydie Parker. The Roosters fullback was flattened by Romy Teitzel just as she caught it and spilled the ball in the tackle. Hayley Maddick picked the ball up and strolled over for the try. The Bunker, however, has taken a close look at the contest and ruled it also touched Teitzel. Broncos ball with a scrum 10 metres out. Roosters 0 - Broncos 0.

10th minute: It's been an end to end start to this game, with the Broncos generating the better of the opportunities early. Mele Hufanga and Julia Robinson have produced a number of big runs to put their team on the front foot. The Roosters defence, however, has been up to the task and they have received a seven-tackle set after an Ali Brigginshaw kick rolled dead. Roosters 0 - Broncos 0.

4th minute: Broncos five-eighth Gayle Broughton has produced a piece of individual brilliance to chip over the top, regather and then link up a teammate. The Roosters, however, scrambled desperately with Mia Wood producing an outstanding try-saving tackle to deny Brisbane. Momentum swung soon after and the Roosters received a penalty to work into attacking field position. Roosters 0 - Broncos 0.

Kick-off: We are underway at Accor Stadium, with the Roosters to have first use of the ball as they chase an undefeated season. The Broncos have lost just one game all year, to the Roosters in Round 3. The defeat has been on their minds all week as they seek a first title since 2020. Roosters 0 - Broncos 0.

Stat Attack

The Roosters have won their last five games against the Broncos.

Broncos fullback Tamika Upton will make her 50th NRLW appearance.

Roosters fullback Brydie Parker will play in her fifth NRLW grand final for the club.

Broncos lock Keilee Joseph won an NRLW premiership with the Roosters in 2021.

Roosters second-rower Jasmin Strange is aiming for her third consecutive grand final win.

Broncos coach Scott Prince returns to the grand final stage for the first time in 20 years.

The Roosters are aiming to equal the men’s premiership record of 19 consecutive victories.

The Broncos have won all four games at Accor Stadium.

Roosters lock Olivia Kernick has scored five tries in six games against the Broncos.

Broncos winger Kerri Johnson has scored 10 tries in 12 NRLW appearances.

Pre-game: A calf injury to Amber Hall has seen John Strange turn to a left-field option as her replacement. Twenty-one-year-old playmaker Jayde Herdegen will make her NRLW debut off the bench, bringing back memories of former Rooster John Rheinberger. The centre was plucked from obscurity for the Roosters in 1975, making his first-grade debut in the preliminary final before starring in the side's grand final victory over the Dragons. Rheinberger was injured in the 1976 pre-season and did not play another first-grade game.

Herdegen has represented Queensland at both Under 17 (2021) and Under 19 (2022) levels, also earning player of the match honours in the Under 17s Queensland Country v City clash (2021). Most recently, she has been a strong performer for Wynnum Manly Seagulls (2022-2024) in the QRL Women's Premiership. She has acted as 18th player nine times for the Roosters this season.

Late Mail

Roosters: Star forward Amber Hall has fallen short in her bid to feature in the decider, with the Kiwi Fern ruled out in Sunday's final team update. Hall will be replaced by Jayde Herdegen who will make her NRLW debut off the interchange. A cruel blow for winger Taina Naividi who ruptured her ACL at Saturday's captain's run. Mia Wood shifts from the bench onto the wing. Aliyah Nasio is straight back into the second row in her return from suspension. Taneisha Gray is the 18th player.

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