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Brisbane Broncos Claim Dramatic NRLW Premiership Title in Stunning 22-18 Victory over Undefeated Sydney Roosters By BBC Sport Staff
Accor Stadium, Sydney The Brisbane Broncos secured their fourth NRL Women's Premiership (NRLW) title in a breathtaking Grand Final confrontation, defeating the previously undefeated Sydney Roosters 22-18 at Accor Stadium in Sydney. The victory, sealed by a pivotal late try from Mele Hufanga, concluded one of the most unpredictable and tightly contested deciders in the league’s history and ended the Roosters’ extraordinary 18-match winning streak. The outcome not only reasserts the Broncos’ status among the league’s elite, delivering them their first title since 2020, but also provides a defining narrative for the 2025 NRLW season, which saw record levels of expansion and competition. The Roosters, who were aiming for an unblemished season and consecutive premierships, mounted a monumental second-half comeback, only to be denied in the final minutes of a fiercely physical contest played in front of a substantial crowd. A Game of Two Halves The match unfolded as a dramatic reversal of fortunes across the 70 minutes. Brisbane established dominance early, controlling possession and field position through strong performances from their forward pack. Tries to Dally M Medal winner Tamika Upton and Jada Ferguson, both expertly marshalled by veteran halfback Ali Brigginshaw, saw the Broncos take a commanding 12-0 lead into the half-time break. The Roosters, minor premiers after a flawless regular season, appeared uncharacteristically disjointed, struggling to find rhythm in their offensive sets. However, the second half delivered a rapid and brutal swing in momentum.
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Galvanised by a strong team talk and a necessary shift in intensity, the Roosters emerged with renewed aggression. They executed three unanswered tries in quick succession—a burst of scoring between the 45th and 53rd minutes—to stunningly overturn the deficit. Fullback Brydie Parker initiated the change, followed by efforts from Eliza Lopamaua and Mia Wood, with Jocelyn Kelleher's accurate goal-kicking pushing the Roosters into an 18-12 lead, turning the match completely on its head. The shift was indicative of the Roosters’ proven ability to score quickly, yet the fatigue from their exhaustive season-long run, compounded by injuries, began to tell. Hufanga’s Defining Moment The final ten minutes descended into a desperate battle for territory and possession. Brisbane's resolve, a characteristic often hailed by coach Scott Prince, came to the fore. A close-range try by Shalom Sauaso brought the Broncos within two points, setting the stage for the dramatic finale. The decisive moment arrived in the 65th minute. Broncos centre Mele Hufanga, who was a near-constant threat throughout the afternoon, received the ball close to the line.
Employing immense power and footwork, she charged through a desperate defensive effort from the Roosters’ edge, grounding the ball just centimetres short of the dead-ball line. Though the try was subject to a review by the Video Referee, who ultimately confirmed the on-field decision, the four points were awarded, and Brianna Clark’s successful conversion put Brisbane in front 22-18. Hufanga’s tireless performance, which included a game-high 199 run metres and 17 tackle breaks, earned her the prestigious Karyn Murphy Medal as Player of the Match. Context of an Emerging Rivalry This Grand Final was the third time these two clubs have met in the NRLW decider, cementing their status as the competition's foundational rivalry. The Roosters had been the dominant force leading into the match, not only possessing the 18-match winning streak but also having defeated the Broncos in their previous five encounters, including a tight Round 3 clash earlier in the year. The Roosters were also forced to contest the final without star playmaker Tarryn Aiken, who suffered a serious knee injury in the final round of the regular season, a loss that proved critical in guiding the team through the tightly contested second half. Analyst Tarsha Gale, speaking before the fixture, highlighted the tactical challenge Brisbane faced, arguing that the Broncos' path to victory lay in challenging the Roosters’ fitness: "If the Broncos are to beat the Roosters, I think they've got to move that forward pack around and then come back in and attack in the middle. " Brisbane’s mobility and late-game surge appeared to confirm this assessment. Resilience and Reflection In the aftermath, the contrast in emotion was palpable, yet both camps focused on the sheer quality of the contest.
Broncos coach Scott Prince, a premiership winner twenty years prior in the men's game, reflected on the nature of the team's achievement, particularly after overcoming a mid-match slump. "To see the girls progress, get better, the highs and lows—that’s the satisfaction you want. It’s very, very special," Prince said, emphasising the team effort. Captain Ali Brigginshaw, celebrating her fourth NRLW title, was visibly emotional, stating, "I’m just overwhelmed and proud. We worked so hard as a group, just chipping away week after week. " Roosters captain Isabelle Kelly expressed immense pride in her side’s fightback, despite the disappointment of falling short. “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 like that because we just dug so deep,” Kelly commented, acknowledging the depth of effort required to push the game to the final whistle. The 2025 NRLW Grand Final will be remembered as a classic, defined by dramatic momentum shifts, individual brilliance, and a competitive spirit that showcased the pinnacle of the women's game. As the competition continues its rapid growth, the intense rivalry between the Broncos and the Roosters is expected to remain a central feature, providing the league with a compelling and high-quality benchmark for future seasons.
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