Brisbane Broncos claim NRLW three-peat

The Brisbane Broncos women’s side have done what the Sydney Roosters men’s side couldn’t do and have secured a three-peat in season 2020.

Broncos captain Ali Brigginshaw holds aloft the NRLW premiership trophy as she celebrates with teammates after winning the grand final Picture: Getty Images

The Brisbane Broncos women’s side have done what the Sydney Roosters men’s side couldn’t do and have secured a three-peat in season 2020.

Coach Kelvin Wight’s side have consolidated their reputation as the powerhouse of the NRL women’s competition, beating the Roosters women 20-10 at ANZ Stadium on Sunday.

The win was Brisbane’s third-straight grand final victory since the inception of the NRLW in 2018.

Catch Fox League’s Grand Final Week coverage on Kayo. Stream all the latest news and insight right up until kick off plus half-time and full-time analysis from the Fox League commentary team. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

It was the Dally M player of the year Ali Brigginshaw who broke the Roosters heart in the 44th minute. Brigginshaw produced some brilliant lead-up play, taking the ball to line, to put Talisha Harden over to score and extend the lead 20-10.

Even with 16 minutes left on the clock, the 10-point lead was a margin too great to close.

While all the attention was on Brigginshaw it was backrower Tarryn Aiken who stole the show early. With the number 13 on her back but playing at halfback, Aiken cracked open the Roosters line, hitting 28km/h in the process, to create the first try of the grand final for fullback Tamika Upton. Aitken did a great job in taking control of the left edge attack and provided a genuine running threat for the Broncos. The Broncos dynamo, minutes later, set up Amber Hall for Brisbane’s second try.

Roosters captain Corban McGregor handed out a lesson in the importance of knowing when to use a captain’s challenge – which her male counterparts have struggled with in season 2020.

Sarah Togatuki was ruled to have knocked on in the play the ball in their attacking zone. But replays showed Togatuki had maintained possession after McGregor challenged referee Belinda Sharpe’s call. The Roosters then posted their first points through Yasmin Meakes on the back of retaining possession. Meakes used her flashy footwork and strength to power past Brisbane’s Julia Robinson to crash over and score.

Taking another bite at the cherry, McGregor challenged another knock-on call only to be denied the second time.

Roosters dominated in the early exchanges both in physicality and in intensity. The Broncos might have been the hot favourites but the Tricolours announced their intentions.

Good physical defence to start from the Roosters in the first set and then ran hard to bend the Broncos line in attack.

That steeliness melted away as the Roosters right-edge defence in particular struggled to contain the ballrunning of Broncos playmaker Aitken.

But the Roosters refused to fold despite being two tries behind. A break from fullback Botille Vette-Welsh put the Roosters in prime attacking position, with utility Quincy Dodd making the most of it and burrowing over to score the Roosters second try.

After being named to start at prop, Chelsea Lenarduzzi actually played off the bench on Sunday. The forward was not fazed by the chance and played with impact from the pine. Lenarduzzi powered over to score early in the second half to extend Brisbane’s lead.

The NRL’s departing and retiring players parade has been a longstanding tradition on grand final day. For the first time in the history, the parade also paid tribute to the women who are farewelling the game at the end of season 2020.

Lorina Papali’i and Sarina Clark from the New Zealand Warriors, Lavina O’Mealey, Rebecca Young and Ruan Sims from the Sydney Roosters and Heather Ballinger from the Brisbane Broncos, were all part of the parade.

They joined male counterparts including 306-game Roosters veteran and premiership winner Mitchell Aubusson and Wests Tigers veteran Chris Lawrence.

The Daily Telegraph