Footy world loses it for insane thriller as Sydney Roosters win NRLW premiership

The Sydney Roosters have won the club’s second NRLW premiership in a match that’s even made other codes sit up and take notice.

The Roosters are premiers again. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

The Sydney Roosters have won the club’s second NRLW premiership but had to survive one of the all-time comebacks from the Cronulla Sharks.

In a David and Goliath battle, it looked like the Roosters, who have missed just one finals series in the seven years of the competition, appeared to have overwhelmed the Sharks, who were in just their second year in the competition and first finals series.

Watch every game of the NRL Telstra Women’s Premiership Season LIVE with no ad-breaks during play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial today >

At halftime it was 24-0 as the Roosters appeared destined for to run away with the premiership.

But the Sharks were going nowhere as they almost pulled off one of the great comebacks of all-time.

Three tries in 13 minutes to start the second half made it 24-18, before the Roosters kicked ahead with a penalty goal.

But when Ellie Johnson charged over in the 61st minute, it was game on as the lead was cut to 26-24 with nine minutes still to play.

When Dally M Medallist Olivia Kernick crossed for her second in the 66th minute, the game was all but wrapped up, until Sharks skipper Tiana Penitani crossed to cap off the next set after the Sharks regained possession from a short kick-off.

But with just one set to go the length of the field, a wayward Cronulla pass in the midfield was picked up by the Roosters, closing out the match.

That was an absolute thriller. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Post-match, Roosters captain Isabelle Kelly paid tribute to the Sharks, saying: “I believe that you girls individually have all inspired so many young girls in the next generation to play rugby league. What you’ve been able to do in your second season is incredible.”

As for her side, Kelly said: “I love what we’ve built here. I think we’ve built something really special. This was our time to shine.

“Everyone individually was outstanding this season. The girls that didn’t get to play today got us to where we needed to be.

“Thank you everybody for turning up. Thank you to the fans.

“Let’s go and have some fun, hey?”

The result also sends women’s rugby league pioneer Sam Bremner out a winner after she was called out of retirement just a week out from the Roosters’ season opener.

Jasmin Strange and Samantha Economos celebrate winning the premiership. Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

But after a fantastic thriller, fans were blown away by the result, with AFL fans even praising the quality of the NRLW product.

One fan posted: “AFLW really needs to look at the NRLW model.

“NRLW — with 10 teams — maintains the integrity of the competition while showcasing elite players.

“The NRLW GF being played prior to the NRL GF is a definite win for the NRLW brand, providing more exposure.”

Another commented: “Worst AFLW season by far and I have watched them all. AFL have manipulated and manufactured this competition since day 1. It has never been allowed to grow naturally. Just watched the NRLW GF and there is much we could learn.”

A third added: “In terms of quality and entertainment, NRLW is a far superior product than AFLW.”

A fourth remarked: “Just watched the last 10 minutes of the #NRLW #NRLGF. It was actually a good watch. Way better quality than #AFLW – probably because there is less skill needed & I don’t mean that in a detrimental way. (No kicking and handball). Congratulation to the #Roosters girls.”

A fifth said: “NRLW is a great product to watch. It’s been grown at the right pace unlike the AFLW. Ironic that most of the NRLW teams outscore many of the AFLW teams each week.”

So close yet so far for the Sharks. Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

NRL.com senior journalist Brad Walter pointed out the match was played in front of 40,623 fans, writing: “What a cracking game. Everyone in the stadium was on the edge of their seats.

“Congrats to the Roosters and especially Sammy Bremner in her last game. Commiserations to the Sharks. The addition of the Bulldogs and Warriors next season will make the NRLW even better.”

Bookmaker David Dwyer posted: “NRLW skill level has improved so much in the last 3 years. What a fantastic game. Well done girls.”

Another commented: “That was quite the game of rugby league. Sharks came agonisingly close. Congratulations Roosters.”

The result also saw Roosters forward Millie Elliott make history.

She becomes the second player and first woman to win premierships with three different clubs.

Elliott won two premierships with the Brisbane Broncos in 2019 and 2022, before hoisting the trophy with the Newcastle Knights last season — and now the Roosters in 2024.

The only other rugby league player to achieve the feat was legendary prop Glenn Lazarus who won at the Canberra Raiders in 1989 and 1990, Brisbane Broncos in 1992 and 1993 and the Melbourne Storm in 1999.