The key players in the NRLW grand final
Every team needs those players who will deliver in the crunch moment. These are the ones to watch out for in the NRLW grand final between Brisbane Broncos and Sydney Roosters.
Women's sport
Don't miss out on the headlines from Women's sport. Followed categories will be added to My News.
EVERY team has the players they look to when they need the big play.
Whether it’s rolling the dice and running on the last or putting their hand up to charge at the line, they can be relied upon to turn up when it matters most.
Sydney Roosters v Brisbane Broncos is almost a David and Goliath contest if going off season form.
But both sides boast a number of players who have represented at the highest level and have the ability to bust a game wide open.
Here’s who to watch out for in today’s decider.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS
Isabelle Kelly
The Roosters centre was the only player to have scored for the club after two rounds of competition. Both were solo efforts where Kelly took matters into her own hands to ensure her team got on the board. She’s a strong runner who is hard to bring down and her probing cross-field runs puts the opposition in two minds. She can straighten and go herself just as easily and get the ball away to an outside player.
Key stats: 2 tries, 141 metres per game, 12 tackle-breaks, 3 line-breaks.
Taleena Simon
A quartet of tries last week against the Dragons confirmed what most already knew about Simon — she’s a class player who can destroy a team. Simon held her line against the Dragons to take two assists from centre Kelly but also showed footwork, speed and tenacity in finding her way through and touching down a kick as well. If given space she’s hard to stop and the Broncos will need to be up quick on the winger to nullify her impact.
Key stats: 4 tries, 20 tackle-breaks, 74 metres per game, 3 line-breaks.
Elianna Walton
If the Roosters need a big hit-up, it will likely be Walton there with her hand up. The experienced prop-forward will keep a cool head under pressure and look to inspire her teammates with her actions. She runs straight and hard and can bend the line. Walton has averaged 82 metres a game in just 33 minutes of average game time, making nearly 10 metres each time she trucks it up.
Key stats: 82 metres per game, 12 possessions per game, 12 tackles per game.
BRISBANE BRONCOS
Ali Brigginshaw
The halfback and leader of the Broncos team, she is one of the main players the Roosters need to control if they’re keep Brisbane in check. A player capable of setting someone up just as easily as going herself, Brigginshaw is a constant threat with ball in hand. She’s had an outstanding NRLW campaign and will have her troops fired up and focused to ensure they take the inaugural premiership back to Brisbane.
Key stats: 2 tries, 2 try assists, 3 line-breaks, 3 line-break assists.
Brittany Breayley
The 2018 Dally M Medal winner, Breayley has been head and shoulders above most throughout this NRLW. Her delivery out of half is fast and clean but she keeps her eye on the line and will take a dart herself as soon as the opportunity presents itself. She’s not made a single error this whole competition and is another player the Roosters must be up on quick and control if they’re to be any chance of winning.
Key stats: 71.3 possessions per game, 3 try assists, 3 line-break assists, 1 line-break.
Ngatokotoru Arakua
The bench forward has immediate impact when she’s injected into the play. An intimidating runner and brutal defender, she will be tasked with the role of rattler for this decider. Watch for her battle with Roosters second-rower Tazmin Gray, two players unable to take a backward step, it could result in on-field fireworks.
Key stats: 119 metres per game, 1 try, 8 tackle-breaks, 2 line-breaks.
STATS COURTESTY OF FOX SPORTS LAB
Originally published as The key players in the NRLW grand final
Ranked: Who should really be named SA’s top sporting hero?
We’ve named the top 100 athletes, teams and sporting icons from South Australia. But did we get it right? Rate our full list here.
Matildas loss rugby’s gain as teens help Aussies end long Sevens drought
Grit, a fighting spirit and a pair of young guns - including one that was touted as a future Matilda - have helped Australia end a seven-year-long drought in rugby sevens.