NRLW 2020: Broncos stars may face judiciary before Roosters clash
The all-conquering Broncos claimed another scalp, but the win could come at a huge price while the Roosters have all but secured their spot in the NRLW Grand Final.
NRL
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Brisbane’s quest for NRLW immortality is in jeopardy with Ali Brigginshaw and Amber Hall both set to come under scrutiny by the match review committee following the Broncos’ 18-4 win over the Dragons.
The Broncos take on the Roosters next week in an NRLW Grand Final preview, but the defending premiers could be missing their most important player after Brigginshaw was placed on report for attacking the legs of Maddie Studdon as she put in a kick
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Ugly injury mechanism for Isabelle Kelly; video brings concern for at least mid-high grade syndesmosis injury with tackler landing on lower leg/foot turns out, fracture possible considering traumatic nature of contact. Fingers crossed not as bad as it looks #NRLWDragonsBroncos pic.twitter.com/9Ot62qmE8O
— NRL PHYSIO (@nrlphysio) October 10, 2020
Back-rower Amber Hall is also in trouble for a tackle that left Jillaroos centre Isabelle Kelly screaming in agony in the second half.
Hall initially pulled Kelly by the hair and then landed on her ankle in what looked like a nasty hip drop tackle. In further bad news, Jayme Fressard came off late with a knee injury, which forced Brisbane to play the final seven minutes with 12 players.
With a spot in the grand final secured, Brisbane will be hoping for the best ahead of their showdown with the Roosters who beat the Warriors 22-12 on a sparkling afternoon at Bankwest Stadium.
Next week’s hitout will determine top spot and early bragging rights, with the winner set to take plenty of confidence heading into the 2020 showpiece on October 25.
The two-time defending premiers were far too good for a Dragons team that was tipped by many to go all the way this season. Instead, Saturday’s match resembled a training run as Brisbane anticipated everything that came their way.
After making last year’s final and then going all the way at the Nines earlier in the year, the Red V now face the prospect of finishing with the wooden spoon, something that seemed impossible a few weeks ago.
CHAMPS ROLL ON
It’s hard to see how anyone can stop the Broncos from making it three titles in as many seasons. They have been a class above the rest of the competition over the years and that trend looks set to continue in 2020.
They have speed out wide, class in the halves and a forward pack that monsters the opposition for fun. The Dragons enjoyed the bulk of possession on Saturday but Brisbane’s defence ate up everything that was thrown their way.
PLENTY TO CROW ABOUT
Just as we saw in the NRL, three-peats are as rare as hens’ teeth. That’s where the Roosters come in. Their men couldn’t get the job done, but their NRLW side has the chance to prevent the Broncos from a hat-trick of titles.
Coach Jamie Feeney has instilled a defensive resolve that was missing last year, while their ability to nail their opportunities in attack is what has separated them from their opponents so far in 2020.
While they lack Brisbane’s flair, the Roosters know what works for them and they don’t go away from it. Quincy Dodd has now scored in both matches from dummy-half, while their right edge is clearly their dominant side.
“For all but five minutes of that game, we had them to nil. We seemed to work really hard for each other,” he said.
“Some of the ball movement in the middle of that game was good, too.”
PLAYING FOR PRIDE
The Dragons started the second half with plenty of energy as Jess Sergis crashed over to make it 12-4, but they ran out of puff soon after. They now must beat the Warriors next week to avoid the spoon.
The Warriors, meanwhile, picked up two tries in the final three minutes of their game but were left to rue some missed opportunities earlier in the contest.
“I’m really gutted for the players and everyone that’s been involved because it’s been a whirlwind four weeks to pull this together. The performance didn’t do justice to how much effort has gone in,” coach Brad Donald said.