NRLW 2024 grand final: Sydney Roosters book showdown with Cronulla Sharks
A courageous performance from injured skipper Isabelle Kelly has inspired the Sydney Roosters to a record fourth NRLW grand final, ending Newcastle’s two-year reign at the top.
A courageous performance from injured skipper Isabelle Kelly has inspired the Sydney Roosters to a record fourth NRLW grand final, ending Newcastle’s two-year reign at the top with a 24-10 win on Sunday.
Her right elbow set motionless in heavy duty strapping after dislocating it just seven days prior, Kelly’s season was feared over earlier in the week but she bravely battled through a match-high 150 running metres and five tackle-breaks for the win.
The tough centre was subbed off with 25 minutes to go to preserve her to face Cronulla in next week’s grand final at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
It will be their first decider since winning the 2021 premiership.
AIKEN’S WARNING
Returning halfback Tarryn Aiken sent shivers down Cronulla’s spine with a sparkling return to the field.
The Queensland and Australia star shrugged off any doubt about a shoulder injury that has kept her sidelined for the past fortnight to totally dominate the Knights.
Her return brought the two best attacking players in the competition face-to-face in a showdown with Knights fullback Tamika Upton, who is widely regarded as the best player in the game.
They sit side-by-side for most try involvements in the NRLW since 2019 when they both entered the competition.
However, Aiken had the upper hand early, throwing a looping ball to put Brydie Parker in the eighth minute for the first of two try assists, and then casually nailing a field goal in the dying minutes to pour salt in Newcastle’s wounds.
Upton looked dangerous but was squashed out of the contest until late.
In a huge boost for the grand finalists, Australia and NSW star Jess Sergis also made her return to the field after six weeks sidelined with an MCL injury.
She got through 42 minutes unscathed.
Veteran Sam Bremner was also terrific for the Roosters, scoring two tries for the Tricolours in an outstanding performancefrom the fullback.
DREAM OVER
The loss ends Newcastle’s undefeated finals streak of the past two seasons, scoring just three times including a late consolation try to ex-Roosters hooker Olivia Higgins on Sunday.
Halfback Jesse Southwell would like her time back with some poor end of set options, but they desperately missed punch up front.
Prop Rima Butler, who has been a powerhouse up front for the Knights this season, was ruled out late with a knee injury.
FIERY REMATCH
Just three weeks ago the Roosters ended Cronulla’s six-game winning streak with a 40-0 thumping at PointsBet Stadium.
It was the start of three straight losses for the Sharks until Sunday’s semi-final win over the Broncos.
MATCH REPORT: BRONCOS V SHARKS
With their first win in a month Cronulla have booked a ticket to the NRLW grand final after ambushing minor premiers Brisbane at home 14-0 on Sunday.
In a huge upset at Totally Workwear Stadium, the Sharks completely dominated the best team of the season to earn a shot at the premiership in just their second season in the competition.
It’s a magical result for the Sharks who scraped into the finals off the back of three straight losses, while it’s the third straight semi-finals loss for the Broncos after being bounced out of the premiership race in 2021 and 2023.
“I’m devastated, especially being at home and the crowd showed up today,” said Brisbane skipper Ali Brigginshaw.
“But I guess that was our season, we made some early errors just out of nerves and we couldn’t chase the points in a semi-final.
“Cronulla are a great side, they’re hungry.”
Led brilliantly by halves Tayla Preston and Georgia Hannaway, the Sharks were clinical to hold the Broncos to nil for the first time ever in their long and successful history.
“I don’t think I could be more proud of the girls anyway,” said coach Tony Herman when asked about the defence.
“They were incredible today.
“The way they just kept turning up for each other even though you could tell they were tired, they just kept fighting.”
It ended a seven-game winning run for the Broncos who looked out of their depth despite the gulf of experience between the two sides.
SHARKS STUN
The Sharks were shattered to miss last year’s finals but came into this season determined for more.
Like the Knights and Parramatta before them in 2022, they become the third team in an expanded competition to book a spot in the NRLW grand final in just their second season as a club.
And on Sunday they simply looked hungrier than the three-time premiers, holding on to a 6-0 lead at halftime after skipper Tiana Penitani muscled her way over.
They ran away with it in the second half with tries to Annessa Biddle and Cassie Staples as the Broncos struggled to hold onto the ball.
BIDDLE STARS
The future is now.
Annessa Biddle emerged as a star of the future in 2023 but cemented her status as a force to be reckoned with on Sunday.
The Cronulla centre scored a brilliant try close to the line in the 38th minute but it was her crunching defence that starred as the Broncos probed early in the second half looking for points.
She finished the season top of the competition for post-contact metres, but on Sunday her five tacklebreaks also wrecked havoc on the edge.
With inspirational goal line defence the Sharks completely shut-out the Broncos despite the attacking brilliance of Ali Brigginshaw and Gayle Broughton.
Brigginshaw, who became the game’s most capped NRLW player on Sunday, and halves partner and Olympic gold medallist Broughton couldn’t find a way through.
By contrast, Sharks halves Preston and Hannaway starred with a try assist each and five tacklebreaks between them.
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