Sydney Roosters secure third NRLW premiership

Twelve months after they lost the grand final to the Broncos in agonising fashion, the undefeated Roosters have flipped the script, toppling the same opponents 30-6 to amplify concerns over the competitive balance of the competition.

Predictions of another close contest in a rematch of last year’s grand final fell flat, as the Roosters embarrassed last year’s premiers by equalling the biggest ever NRL grand final winning margin.

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 doesn’t have it quite right.

The Broncos boast seven Origin players, including three-time Dally M Medal winner Tamika Upton, but were still no match for the star-studded Roosters.

The Broncos’ 30-6 victory over the Dragons in the 2019 decider, back when the competition was four teams and a four-week season, set the record for the highest winning margin, which the Roosters equalled on Sunday.

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 Tricolours shrugged off a shaky start, when winger Jayme Fressard sent the ball over the sideline as the attempted to trap it with her foot from the kick-off, to turn in a clinical display.

The Roosters put together a highlights reel in the first half alone, with a crossfield kick from Jocelyn Kelleher, a cut-out pass from Isabelle Kelly and a Tarryn Aiken grubber for herself all leading to tries as they quickly took the game away from the Broncos.

Brydie Parker scored a first-half double before completing her hat-trick in the second period, while a charging try from Amber Hall put an exclamation mark on the victory as the Roosters gave retiring stars Corban Baxter and Millie Elliott a dream send-off.

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 linebreak assists.

Halves partner Kelleher was equally impressive, with her bombs giving even Upton – the incumbent Australian and Queensland fullback and usually a safe set of hands – trouble at the back.

Brisbane came out stronger in the second half and managed to keep the Roosters out for the first 20 minutes.

The result marked a sorry ending to the career of veteran playmaker Ali Brigginshaw, the incumbent Jillaroos captain and arguably the NRLW’s most influential player.

She retires with four NRLW premiership rings having won titles in 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2025.

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