NRLW Tackle: Roosters star Isabelle Kelly suffers sickening injury; future Hall of Famer Steph Hancock retires; five key finals players
The Knights and Roosters will play the game of the year in this weekend’s sudden-death semi-final, while the Broncos and Sharks will battle for the second grand final spot. These are the players who hold victory in their hands.
Pam Whaley runs the rule over the final round of the NRLW season, with premiership heavyweights the Sydney Roosters suffering a major blow ahead of the finals.
ROUND 9 LIKES
FIVE PLAYERS TO MAKE OR BREAK NRLW FINALS
It’s do or die to make the NRLW grand final.
The Roosters’ win over Parramatta has set up the game of the year with the Knights at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, while the Broncos will take on Cronulla in Brisbane in sudden-death semi-finals.
While the Roosters have fallen at the final hurdle in the past two semi-finals, they face their biggest task yet to stop two-time premiers Newcastle.
Brisbane, who finished minor premiers are also desperate for another title but need to go through competition newcomers Cronulla with their stacked line-up.
Here are the five players who could make or break the NRLW finals.
TAMIKA UPTON (KNIGHTS)
It goes without saying that the best player in the game will have the biggest influence on the finals. She will strike fear into the heart of the Roosters after laying on seven try assists in the past three weeks, as well as two of her own. The Knights fullback is a lethal threat and the Roosters know that intimately with former teammates among their ranks, including ex-Knights prop Millie Elliott. The pair played at the Broncos together before winning the 2022 premiership with the Knights.
YASMIN CLYDSDALE (KNIGHTS)
The NSW and Australia star has been one of the form players of the competition and will need to be at her best against an aggressive Roosters pack desperate for finals success. The Knights haven’t been as clinical this season as years gone by, but Clydsdale remains a nightmare on her edge to any outside back caught napping. She’s also scored three tries in the past two weeks.
JOCELYN KELLEHER (ROOSTERS)
The Roosters halfback and her accuracy with the boot will be key for the Roosters against the Knights. They need her kicking game to be on point to give Upton and the Knights’ back five, including try-scoring winger Sheridan Gallagher, limited time with the ball. But in a sudden-death semi-final, points will be at a premium making every conversion count. She’s at the top of the league with 29 goals kicked for the season.
HAYLEY MADDICK (BRONCOS)
The Broncos fullback has been an underrated player for a long time but she’s in the midst of her best season in the NRLW. Earlier this season she set a new record for the most try-assists in a game with five (she has 10 for the season), and her combination with Ali Brigginshaw and Gayle Broughton has helped deliver the Broncos the minor premiership.
QUINCY DODD (SHARKS)
The Sharks dummy half handles the ball more than any other player, and while she’s dangerous around the ruck in attack as well as her pass selection, she’s key to stopping the Broncos up front with her defence. The Sharks have been on a downward spiral in the last few weeks but Dodd is key to simplifying their game and getting back to basics of they’re to make the grand final.
FAREWELL KARINA
Titans winger Karina Brown was given an emotional send off on Sunday as her 14-year rugby league career came to an end.
After a 16-12 loss to the Raiders at CommBank Stadium, players from both teams gathered to perform a haka to honour her retirement from the game.
Brown was in tears as the group gathered for the special sign of respect.
Despite the loss, the 35-year-old finishes as a champion, with two World Cups with the Jillaroos as well as nine games for Queensland on her glittering resume.
But perhaps her most significant public moment was in 2018 after the first Women’s State of Origin at North Sydney Oval, when she and then-partner and NSW forward Vanessa Foliaki shared a kiss and the picture went viral.
As awkward as it might be to have such a famous smooch with an ex, it was a monumental moment for women’s rugby league and a proud show of love at such a pivotal moment for Australia.
It went viral so soon after the nation voted yes for marriage equality, and it showed the acceptance within the women’s game, while the men’s game still lags so far behind.
There is still work to do, but that moment took the game a few steps forward and for that, we thank you Karina.
HANCOCK HANGS ‘EM UP
Farewell to a legend.
Steph Hancock is a one of a kind player and person, and a hall of fame inductee waiting to happen.
The former Jillaroos and Queensland Origin legend often jokes that she announces her retirement every year and then finds it hard to actually walk away. This is one of many planned retirements for the 42-year-old, so take this one with a grain of salt too.
Saturday’s 44-14 loss to the Broncos was her 40th NRLW game, a milestone she’s achieved between intense police work and gruelling night shifts, personal sacrifice and some spectacular on-field achievements, all for a love of rugby league.
A two-time World Cup winner, 16-game Origin hero and two-time premiership winner with the Broncos, her impact on the game has helped pave the way for future generations of female rugby league players.
And then there were four... Road to the #NRLWFinals 🆠pic.twitter.com/Qtim92U6ua
— NRLW (@NRLWomens) September 22, 2024
Anyone who has had the pleasure of spending time with her knows she’s an open-hearted character, full of encouragement and support for her younger teammates in a way that will have an impact for years to come.
She’s one of the game’s original trailblazers and great characters, and whatever she decides to do next season she won’t be lost to rugby league.
ROUND 9 DISLIKES
KELLY HELL
The Sydney Roosters have copped a huge blow on the eve of the NRLW finals with skipper Isabelle Kelly taken off the field with a suspected dislocated elbow in Sunday’s clash with Parramatta.
The NSW and Australia star was taken off in pain cradling her right arm early in the second half after coming off second best attempting to make a tackle.
If confirmed with scans her season is over ahead of an NRLW semi-final clash with the Knights on Sunday.
“She’s in with the medical staff having a good look at her, but we’re not really sure,” said Roosters coach John Strange.
“They’ll send her for scans later on tonight and we’ll find out a bit more tomorrow morning.
“She’s a really strong personality obviously, we’ll see what happens.”
The inspirational centre has been key for the Roosters’ run to the finals this season and is fresh off a record-breaking performance against the Cowboys, running 308 metres to set a new record for the NRLW.
Roosters have come out firing 🔥 #NRLWEelsRoosterspic.twitter.com/Y0Ri2Eu6YQ
— NRLW (@NRLWomens) September 22, 2024
Representative teammates Jess Sergis (knee) and Tarryn Aiken (shoulder) are also sidelined in what’s quickly become an injury crisis for the star-studded side.
However, Aiken is understood to have a chance of playing the Knights next week, although both are week to week prospects.
“We’ve had injuries the last two seasons, a lot of injuries to key players, we hope Izzy is OK but at the end of the day everyone steps up if someone is out but that’s our mindset,” Strange said.
Originally published as NRLW Tackle: Roosters star Isabelle Kelly suffers sickening injury; future Hall of Famer Steph Hancock retires; five key finals players
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