The Brisbane Broncos secured their fourth NRLW premiership with a hard-fought 22-18 victory over the Sydney Roosters in a fiercely contested grand final at Accor Stadium. The match, marked by brutal collisions and late drama, saw the Broncos edge ahead in the final minutes after a contentious try awarded by the video referee.
With only four minutes remaining, Broncos centre Mele Hufanga grounded the ball amid heavy defence from Jasmin Strange and Olivia Kernick. The try was awarded despite inconclusive slow-motion replays, earning Hufanga the Karyn Murphy Medal as player of the match. Earlier, fullback Tamika Upton had given Brisbane an early lead, her try contributing to a 12-point advantage at half-time.
The Roosters, who had entered the match on an 18-game winning streak, mounted a fierce second-half comeback. Fullback Brydie Parker scored a long-range try from a scrum, cutting the deficit, before Eliza Lopamaua and Mia Wood crossed to put Sydney ahead. The lead changed hands again when Shalom Sauaso scored for Brisbane, setting up Hufanga's decisive try.
Roosters captain Isabelle Kelly praised her team's resilience despite missing key players due to injury. 'When you look at our group and the adversity and the resilience that we’ve built this year... I’m so proud that the score line was like because we just dug so deep,' she said. The Roosters had lost playmaker Tarryn Aiken to a knee injury three weeks prior, and winger Taina Naividi ruptured her ACL in the final training session.
Broncos coach Scott Prince, celebrating 20 years since his own Clive Churchill Medal-winning NRL grand final, masterminded the victory. His decision to start Destiny Brill at hooker paid off, and the win marked Brisbane's first premiership since 2020, reaffirming their status as the premier women's club in Australia.
