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The Brisbane Broncos overcame a determined Sydney team fightback to claim their fourth NRLW title with a close triumph in a tightly contested and spiteful grand final characterized by sickening collisions and a shoving match at the end.

Controversial Game-Changing Try Seals Victory

The winning team were lucky in having the critical, championship-sealing try given by the video referee, after the Broncos centre appeared to be denied by opposition players and Olivia Kernick. With just limited time on the clock, the Brisbane player – who was named player of the match – placed the ball to push her side into the front. Although the try was confirmed, the slow motion replay was not definitive.

“Wow, the players really gave all campaign for that,” she stated. “We relaxed at the break. The opposition came back like the champion team they are, but [I’m] so proud of the girls, particularly our youth stepping up.”

Sydney Winning Spree Halted

The result halted an 18-match victory sequence from the opposition, who had also secured their last five encounters against the Brisbane. After a slow opening period, the top-ranked team faced a two-try gap. But they finally showed life into the remainder, when Parker broke the opposition defense to score a spectacular try direct from a scrum play.

Nail-Biting Momentum Shift

Seconds prior, Brisbane outside back the winger was a hair's breadth away from an turnover that would have put Brisbane up 18-0. But she fumbled of it, and the midfield scrum shifted the momentum in an flash. Within moments, the trailing team were on equal terms after a Roosters player resisted tackles at bay to touch down.

Closing Excitement

The opposition then put their noses in front by a sharp surprise play orchestrated by a playmaker and her teammate, and completed by Wood in the sideline. They endured a scare shortly later, when Broncos centre Robinson picked up a mistake from the opposition. But the review system disallowed the call, much to the frustrations of many of supporters.

Those fans were elated soon after though a Broncos player scored with under 10 minutes to go. A missed kick left the Sydney maintaining a narrow lead, until Hufanga scored to seal the win for the Brisbane.

Determined Leader

“When you consider our group and the challenges and the resilience that we’ve cultivated this year with so many setbacks to important members, I’m so proud that the outcome was as close as it was because we just dug so deep and we did all we could for one another.”

Injury Issues

They missed key attacker Tarryn Aiken to a serious knee injury a few weeks ago, and endured a setback before the contest had even begun. Winger the winger ruptured her ACL at the day before run-through, necessitating a last-minute adjustment. the substitute shifted from the bench onto the outside.

Strategic Masterstroke

But that was not the only switch. Head coach Scott Prince decided to start Brill at dummy-half and Jada Ferguson from the bench. The move looked a smart play 29 minutes in when Jada Ferguson scored from a dummy half scurry for her team’s second try.

Historic Achievement

After taking over in the previous season, Prince has guided the Broncos back towards the summit of the NRLW. Sunday’s match also had individual importance, marking 20 years’ since his Clive Churchill Medal-winning showing in the men's decider for the his former club. But his influence to the this team could be more significant. Brisbane’s victory on the day was their first premiership since the previous win, and re-asserted their status as the league’s leading female team.