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The Sydney Roosters defeated the Brisbane Broncos 30-6 at Accor Stadium to win the NRLW grand final and complete an undefeated season, equalling the biggest winning margin in a grand final.
The Sydney Roosters have defeated the Brisbane Broncos 30-6 at Accor Stadium to win the NRL W grand final and complete a perfect season. The Tricolours went through the season undefeated, claiming their third premiership and closing the gap on Brisbane's four titles.
Roosters Claim Historic Premiership Triumph
The two most successful clubs in the NRLW's nine-year history now share seven premierships between them. The victory avenged last year's grand final loss to the Broncos in agonising fashion and equalled the biggest winning margin in an NRLW grand final. Brisbane's 30-6 win over the Dragons in the 2019 decider, when the competition had four teams and a four-week season, had set that record. Predictions of another close contest fell flat as the Roosters embarrassed the defending premiers.
The Roosters won all 11 regular season matches and both finals this season, with their only loss since August 2024 coming against the Broncos. Retiring Roosters forward Millie Elliott said that defeat drove the team. Everyone knows what that felt like and we definitely used that as motivation all season, not just in this game, she said. We worked so hard, I take my hat off to Strangey and the coaching staff.
The opening stages were marred by errors from both sides, including two Roosters mistakes direct from kick-offs. Winger Jayme Fressard sent the ball over the sideline as she attempted to trap it with her foot from the kick-off. But the Tricolours shrugged off the shaky start to turn in a clinical display.
Kelleher Leads Clinical Roosters Attack
A fourth-minute try was a marvel of keeping the ball alive as Fressard found Jocelyn Kelleher, whose pinpoint cross-field kick looped over opposite winger Kerri Johnson for Brydie Parker to catch and score. Kelleher was the game's most influential player early. Her soaring bomb embarrassed Brisbane fullback Tamika Upton, who collided with winger Julia Robinson in her attempt to field the ball.
Minutes later, a Kelleher kick forced another error, and Tarryn Aiken put captain Isabelle Kelly through for the Roosters' third try. Aiken and Kelly combined again when the halfback kicked across field for Kelly, who quickly offloaded to Fressard to score. A crossfield kick from Kelleher, a cut-out pass from Kelly and an Aiken grubber for herself all led to tries as the Roosters quickly took the game away from the Broncos.
Brisbane captain Ali Brigginshaw was lucky to stay on the field when she dived in on Aiken's standing leg, an obvious sign of frustration in the 36-year-old's final game. By the end of the first half the Broncos had 25 per cent of possession and completed just three of 10 sets. Run metres were 830 to 259, tackle breaks 17 to six. There was simply no relief for Brisbane as the Roosters led 26-0 at the break.
After another Kelleher bomb, Olivia Kernick and Rima Butler picked up Upton and forced her back into the in-goal. The next set the Roosters were in again, a spread right finished acrobatically after Kelly put Parker in for her second try. Aiken found Amber Hall with a short ball to barge over, putting an exclamation mark on the victory. Parker scored a first-half double before completing her hat-trick in the second period.
Brisbane came out stronger in the second half and managed to keep the Roosters out for the first 20 minutes. A miraculous try-saver from Upton at the start of the second half could not trigger a comeback. A late try from Jesse Southwell, after Upton finally found some space down the middle, was the only blemish on an otherwise immaculate day for the Roosters.
Brisbane Farewells and Roosters Celebrations
A late handling error from Brigginshaw, challenged unsuccessfully by the Broncos, was anything but a fairytale finish for the NRLW's greatest player. She was in tears at the end, embracing her teammates and family. Instead, it was the Roosters celebrating as the final siren rang out around a stadium by now half-full. It was a dream result for Aiken, who missed last year's grand final after rupturing her ACL in the final round of the regular season.
The Roosters halfback finished Sunday's match with two try assists and two line break assists. Halves partner Kelleher was equally impressive, with her bombs giving even Upton trouble at the back. Upton is the incumbent Australian and Queensland fullback and usually a safe set of hands. The joy of victory was bittersweet for Elliott and fullback Corban Baxter, who both hung up the boots.
Roosters halves Aiken, who was awarded the Karyn Murphy medal, and Kelleher outperformed Brigginshaw and the out-of-sorts Southwell to deliver a statement to Jillaroos selectors preparing to name the squad for the World Cup beginning later this month. The result marked a sorry ending to the career of veteran playmaker Brigginshaw, the incumbent Jillaroos captain and arguably the NRLW's most influential player.
For the fourth time in nine NRLW seasons, the Roosters and Broncos met on grand final day as greats Brigginshaw, Elliott and Baxter hung up their boots. Only one NRLW grand final in 2023 has been played without at least one of Brigginshaw, Elliott or Baxter playing. After today, the Roosters or Broncos will have won seven of the nine NRLW premierships up for grabs. Upton was hoping to become the most decorated champion with her sixth premiership.
NRLW Dominance and Dolphins Rout
Brigginshaw, Julia Robinson and Chelsea Lenarduzzi were aiming for their fifth with the Broncos. Brisbane saved one of their worst games of the season for last, slumping to a completion rate of 60 per cent and being restricted to 10 minutes fewer with the ball than the Roosters.
The NRLW has faced questions over the distribution of talent and the pace at which it has expanded, with critics arguing the Roosters and Broncos are too far ahead of the rest of the league. Sunday's grand final suggested the league still does not have it quite right. Earlier, the Redcliffe Dolphins hammered the Penrith Panthers 68-14 in the State Championship. The Queensland Cup winners ran in 12 tries to Penrith's three to complete the 54-point rout.
Dolphins five-eighth Jake Averillo had three tries, three line breaks and two try assists. Plenty of Roosters fans gathered at Bondi Beach this morning. ABC Sport's Pokuah Frimpong caught up with some of the Tricolours faithful, including a supporter who came from Brisbane and was searching for a ticket. I travelled down from Brisbane because my dad passed away 15 years ago, so I am here to honour his legacy, he said.
Knights fans were expected to outnumber their Roosters counterparts today. ABC's Victoria Pengilley spoke to some of them, and the general message was a feeling of pride and confidence they could get the job done. Later, a tribute to Jai Arrow was held before the NRL decider between the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights.
abcnews 
GuardianAus:Sydney Roosters blow away Brisbane Broncos to claim third NRLW premiership 
smh:Redemption for Roosters in equal biggest NRLW grand final victoryThis story was compiled and edited by the HeadTopics newsroom and HT AI from the reports above.
Nrl Blog NRLW Grand Final Roosters Broncos State Championship Redcliffe Dolphins Penrith Panthers Sydney Roosters Brisbane Broncos Millie Elliott Retirement Karyn Murphy Medal Ali Brigginshaw Retirement
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