NRL womens grand final 1-17 player profiles
NRLW is down to two to battle it out for the inaugural title — Brisbane Broncos and Sydney Roosters. Here’s everything you need to know about those taking the field in the decider.
WHO’S that in number 14?
It’s a question that invariably comes from somewhere during any game of footy.
But fear not, we have you covered for the NRLW 2018 Grand Final.
The first of its kind, ever. So there’s a good chance you won’t know about some of the players on the field.
Here they are, 1-17 for the Brisbane Broncos and Sydney Roosters.
BRISBANE BRONCOS
1. FULLBACK - Chelsea Baker
Normally relegated to the wing at representative levels, Baker has gone to new heights in 2018 after taking on more of a ball-playing role. This has seen her excel for the Broncos and she has provided great support for halves Ali Brigginshaw and Kimiora Nati. She will be key on Sunday in helping Brisbane find their attacking spark.
2. WING - Julia Robinson
Robinson caught the attention of rugby league fans everywhere for her incredible show of toughness in Brisbane’s Round 1 match. After an almighty clash with Dragons centre Jess Sergis, Robinson was left with a massive egg on her forehead but continued to play on, passing her HIA test. She has been one of the breakout stars of the NRLW, which is a remarkable feat given she only started playing rugby league in June.
3. CENTRE - Meg Ward
Another player who seems to be made of steel, Ward will play Sunday’s grand final with a fractured hand. The laidback Queenslander says it’s a “minor fracture” that she can deal with later. The grand final comes first. Ward is a naturally gifted athlete but also a real team player. She has one of the most difficult tasks on Sunday in coming up against NSW star Isabelle Kelly.
4. CENTRE - Amber Pilley
Pilley was the last signing Brisbane made for the NRLW season and has not disappointed at all in her rise to the top. She’s a hard-working centre and defensively tough. Pilley has been playing rugby league since the age of eight and was recommended to Broncos coach Paul Dyer after a strong season with Gold Coast club, the Burleigh Bears.
5. WING — Amelia Kuk
The PNG international was named in the reserves by Dyer on Tuesday, but it is understood she has been training outside of Ward and will play on Sunday. Kuk missed Brisbane’s last two matches but her big-game experience will be key in Sunday’s clash. She is another gutsy player who is not afraid to show some aggression in attack when her team needs it most.
6. FIVE-EIGHTH — Kimiora Nati
The Kiwi playmaker is the silent assassin of the Broncos side. She lets Brigginshaw take control of the team, but when she sees an opportunity, she takes it. She has silky skills and a strong combination with her second rower, Teuila Fotu-Moala. She is a major danger and can make a big impact against the Roosters.
7. HALFBACK — Ali Brigginshaw (Captain)
Brigginshaw has become a household name in women’s rugby league. She is one of the best players in the game. While she has always had the talent, her game has gone to a new level this year as she’s shown leadership skills and the ability to control the game the way she wants. She will be one of the biggest targets for the Roosters on Sunday.
8. PROP — Heather Ballinger
The forward battle when the Broncos and Roosters met in Round 2 was explosive and Sunday’s grand final will be no different. Ballinger is one who is always ready for the challenge. She is a hard worker, uncompromising and the kind of player who toils away without any fuss. She will need to give her side the upper hand early in Sunday’s clash.
9. HOOKER — Brittany Breayley
The Dally M Female Player of the Year has had another outstanding season. Like Brigginshaw, she is one of the biggest threats to the Roosters’ premiership campaign. She is defensively strong and has one of the best passes in the women’s game. She was a deserving winner of the Dally M and will be key in Sunday’s match.
10. PROP — Steph Hancock
It seems there is no slowing down this veteran forward. At 36, Hancock is playing the best she has in several years, mostly because she has not been hampered by injury. She never takes a backwards step and is one of the most passionate players in the game. She will bring plenty of spark to another great forward battle.
11. SECOND ROW — Teuila Fotu-Moala
The Player of the Tournament at last year’s World Cup, Fotu-Moala has been an integral part of Brisbane’s strong forward pack. She has always been known for her defence but is now gaining a reputation for being devastating in attack too. After last year’s World Cup disappointment with the Kiwi Ferns, Fotu-Moala will be hunting for a big win.
12. SECOND ROW — Maitua Feterika
A larger-than-life character off the field, Feterika knows how to switch her game day face on. She has been another breakout star of this competition, after making the transition from centre to the back row. She loves to get involved defensively and can put on some massive hits. Another key part of Brisbane’s pack.
13. LOCK — Rona Peters
Peters is a real workhorse. She doesn’t take a backwards step and plays with an aggressive style that suits Brisbane’s pack well. She is also one of Brisbane’s most versatile players and can feature almost anywhere on the park, from the halves to the backs to anywhere in the forward pack.
BENCH
14. Lavinia Gould:Has proven to be the perfect impact player for Brisbane. Adds danger and spark every time she comes onto the field and can slot in almost anywhere.
15. Chelsea Lenarduzzi: The Gold Coast product has shown the next generation of forwards are a very promising bunch. Gets through a lot of work and does exactly what is needed of her.
16. Mariah Storch: Another up and coming talent in Brisbane’s pack, Storch is strong, reliable and continues to impress at the club for her high workrate and never-say-die attitude.
17. Ngatokotoru Arakua:Runs hard and like Gould, brings a great impact from the bench. A ball-playing forward who has shown an impressive attitude since arriving in Brisbane.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
1. FULLBACK - Karina Brown
An experienced campaigner and true leader on the field, Brown started this season on the wing but has had far more impact since she shifted to fullback in round two. A probing runner who will drift around the back looking for the right time to strike, but she can also give a pass to put a teammate through a gap. Has 11 tackle-breaks so far in NRLW.
2. WING - Brydie Parker
A rugby sevens convert with plenty of skill, that was exactly what had her picked up for the inaugural NRLW season. Signed from the talent ID day held in early June, Parker had the three Australian clubs chasing her signature but she joined the Roosters to play alongside the host of top level players in the squad. Debuted last week and scored a try.
3. CENTRE - Shontelle Stowers
Another former rugby player who first came to league two years ago when the Sharks contracted women for the first time and ran its own nines competition. Stowers quickly made an impact and is now a top 40 NRL elite player. Will take the early hit-ups for some quick metres but is a tough defender also.
4. CENTRE - Isabelle Kelly
A player who has quickly established herself as one of the most known, and feared, in the game. Kelly crossed twice for NSW in Origin in June and then was the only tryscorer for the Roosters over the first two rounds of NRLW. Her cross field runs keep the defence guessing as she can straighten and go or find someone on the outside.
5. WING - Taleena Simon
Incredible to watch and a smooth runner of the ball who is hard to bring down once given some space as her 20 tackle-breaks to date attest to. Simon scored four tries in last week’s crucial win over the Dragons and her teammates feel there’s more to come. With three line-breaks already in NRLW, there may be more coming on Sunday.
6. FIVE-EIGHTH — Lavina O’Mealey
A cool and experienced player guiding the Roosters around the park. O’Mealey has been playing at a high level for 10 years and is still matching it with the best having made the Jillaroos team for last year’s World Cup. Deceptive at the line she can show and go or put a teammate into space.
7. HALFBACK — Zahara Temara
Only her second game in the Roosters’ number seven, Temara has been warming into this competition much like her team as a whole. An instinctive player who reads the game well, she can cause damage with the ball in hand or putting it to boot. One of the best kicking games in the competition, her presence means the Broncos need to be aware of ground and air raids.
8. PROP — Ruan Sims
Another of the Roosters’ crop of super experienced players, Sims is one of the best known in the women’s game. A tough forward who is hard to bring down, Sims bends the line with almost every run. A leader in what she says and does, she’ll be in the fight to the final second. Averages 96 metres per game — the second most for the team behind Isabelle Kelly — from her 37 minutes averaged on field.
9. HOOKER — Nita Maynard
Has the important role of delivering fast ball to her halves against a Broncos defence that will be up quick to shut down their play and limit their thinking time. Maynard can expose that those. An incisive runner who can spot a broken line, her taking those chances could open opportunity for the Roosters and put Brisbane on the back foot.
10. PROP — Elianna Walton
Walton knows how to get it done, she’s been doing so at every level for a number of years. She’s been a workhorse for the Roosters this season, averaging 82 metres a game, as well as busting through three tackles. She’ll be there when an inspirational run is needed or to help bring someone down.
11. SECOND ROW — Tazmin Gray
A absolute standout for the Roosters to date, Gray plays with a ferocity that will be infectious for her teammates. Doesn’t take a backward step and when she gets ball in hand there is only one way she will go — straight at the Broncos line. Will need to make sure she doesn’t go too far though, she’s the most penalised player in the team with six.
12. SECOND ROW — Vanessa Foliaki
A strong runner of the ball who can also get it away, Foliaki is the forward that players like her partner Karina Brown love to run off. Constantly aware, she can threaten the line and the Broncos will need to stay on top of her. Serious about winning, her representative experience means she won’t be overawed by the occasion.
13. LOCK — Simaima Taufa (Captain)
A former Dally M winner, Taufa is what holds this team together. Players want to play with her and they follow her lead. Has been on a busted knee for the entire competition but you wouldn’t know it with how she plays, averaging 87 metres this competition and 22 tackles a game. A soon as she gets the ball, she’ll line up the Brisbane defenders and go straight at them.
BENCH
14. Kylie Hilder: At 42 years old, she’s the veteran of this team but knows how to get it done. Good passing out of dummy-half and touch football skills to take on the line.
15. Sarah Togatuki: An outside back who has held her own in her two games this season. May not see as much game time as others in what’s expected to be a physical match.
17. Victoria Latu: Powerful runner who is hard to stop at the line, as witnessed last week when she powered over from close range. Makes an immediate impact when put into the game.
19. Kandy Kennedy: A gifted ball player who can take a hit up too. Was recruited to the Roosters on reputation alone because of her skills and ability to sting in defence too.
Originally published as NRL womens grand final 1-17 player profiles