NRLW grand final 2026: Sydney Roosters 30-6 Brisbane Broncos – as it happened

While it wasn’t the nail-biting grand final we might have hoped for, there was plenty of emotion in that game and it was a very meaningful victory for the Roosters, especially getting to send their retiring players off with the best imaginable finish. It will be a new era of NRLW next season without Millie Elliott, Corban Baxter and Ali Brigginshaw. They have been such a huge part of this competition for so long, but now they step away to let the next generation take the reins. It was fitting that they all got to appear in this grand final today, although they couldn’t all get the fairytale ending. If you want to re-live that game and dive into what made the Roosters so dominant, our match report is now live. And if you can’t get enough rugby league, our men’s grand final live blog has begun – join Jonathan Howcroft for the latest updates. Thank you for joining me today, I hope enjoyed this great game of rugby league. See you next time! We now hear from the winning captain Isabelle Kelly after her team receives their premiership rings. “Firstly, I just want to thank the Brisbane Broncos. There’s such a great respect for you guys. I think you set the standard for this competition as well. You’ve got a great bunch of athletes and I know every time we beat each other on that field, there’s such respect to produce I believe, the best women’s game that’s happened. So thank you so much to Ali. Congratulations on your retirement. You’ve been a pioneer in this sport. I’ve been so lucky to play with you and against you. And what you’ve done for this game is truly incredible. “To BYD and all our other sponsors. What we do at the Roosters wouldn’t be possible without what you guys are putting into our game and our club. It never goes unnoticed and we’re truly appreciative of everything that you do to the club, to the girls, to the staff, to strategy. There’s such a great love that I have for you guys. I knew that this year we’re creating something special, and I think we’re building and made that our best game yet. I love you guys and I’m so glad that we get to do this together. “And lastly, to Corban and Millie, you guys have been absolutely incredible for this NRLW competition, but mostly for the Roosters the impact that you guys have had on us, Millie, you being a mum, it’s just created such a special bond for us to look forward to for many years. And you’ll always be a Rooster.” Tamika Upton speaks on behalf of her team and she’s clearly hurting, but makes time to acknowledge the tragedy in Newcastle. “Firstly, I’d just like to acknowledge the families of the tragedy yesterday in Newcastle. On behalf of myself and the Brisbane Broncos, just sending love and best wishes to the Newcastle community. To the NRL, to all the sponsors growing this incredible game. Thank you very much. What an incredible season it was for Sydney Roosters. To Strangey and Izzy, you guys are incredible. It’s no coincidence you’re up here doing what you do today. We’re definitely all striving to be what you guys are. And lastly, to my team. I love you guys. Hell of a hell of a season. I’m very proud of you all. Thank you.” Aiken was sensational today, a well-deserved Karyn Murphy Medal winner. She is full of praise for her team and the opposition. “I’d just like to thank the Broncos for a great game and a great season. Especially Ali on a great career. Just so proud of everyone. One hell of a season undefeated and a special mention to Corban and Millie going out on top.” We’re now hearing from Ali Brigginshaw, who is disappointed, but proud of the effort. “I was trying to keep it together out there. It was a tough game. The Roosters played to perfection and they’ve had a great year, and I’m just really proud of the girls. I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else. I know it sucks losing, but really proud of this group and the year we’ve had. “Thanks everyone for the support and showing up for NRLW today. Congrats to the Roosters! You were the better team on the day.” We hear from one of the retirees now, with Millie Elliott full of emotion. “I take my hat off to Strangie and the coaching staff,” she says. “They really left no stone unturned this year, and we wanted to put in a performance like that. We knew we were capable of a performance like that and I couldn’t be more proud to be here today.” She speaks beautifully about the end of her career. “I just want to say thank you to everyone who supported me and been there for me, it’s obviously a special game for both teams. Ali Brigginshaw is finishing up and so is Corban Baxter. And you know, the Broncos are the team that gave me my first opportunity in rugby league and I wouldn’t be where I am without them and the Knights as well. So I’ve had an incredible career, but it’s only thanks to those people who have been there along the way to make it what it is. So I just want to say thank you very much to Ali Brigginshaw and Corban Baxter for all they’ve done. They’ve been playing long before me.” The Roosters finish their perfect season – staying undefeated and winning their third NRLW premiership. There is a lot of emotion on the field and much celebration. Sending off legends of the game Corban Baxter and Millie Elliott with a fairytale ending is the icing on the cake. 69 mins: There are celebrations on the sidelines now from the Roosters bench, but they’re still completely focused on the field. They are so strong on defence, while the Broncos look absolutely exhausted. They take a captain’s challenge to give themselves a little breather more than anything. It’s unsuccessful and the Roosters start another attacking set. 67 mins: The Broncos look a bit more up and about after getting some points on the board and they play a dynamic set, but Parker takes the ball from the kick without too much trouble. A simple conversion for Southwell and she breaks the season points-scoring record, which will be a small consolation for her. The Roosters march on after finding touch from the penalty and get back down into familiar territory. Aiken makes some space and looks for the line, but the Broncos’ defence holds strong. Another chance for the Brisbane team to get some points on the board and Upton makes a line break, flicks the ball out to Southwell who scores under the post. 62 mins: The Broncos are trying everything to create some space, with a few cut out passes during the set and then Southwell attempting a 40/30 at the end of the set, but the Roosters are having none of it. Baxter is in some pain after a tackle where she’s twisted around with her feet pinned. Mato is on report for the Broncos for the tackle. 61 mins: The Broncos are desperate for some points, but despite a good high kick at the end of their set, the Roosters are simply flying too high to be stopped (not something you’d usually say about a rooster). Upton is tested at the end of the Roosters set again, but she has been strong under the high ball today. 59 mins: Kelleher’s kick looks spot on, but it hits the upright – it’s not her day with goal kicking today, but it has been in every other way. Another solid set from the Roosters who just keep looking more dominant. Another Roosters set deep in the Broncos’ half. Kelly makes a great hit up to draw in the defenders and create a huge overlap for the Roosters on the right hand side. Quick passes get the ball out to Parker, who dives over and gets a grand final hat trick. 55 mins: The Roosters start their set deep in their own half from the scrum feed and patiently make their way down the field. They get creative and run it on the fifth tackle and nearly set something up from it, but the Broncos shut it down. The Broncos then knock the ball on yet again… 53 mins: The Roosters play a solid set and Kelleher kicks on the fourth, but Upton is up to the challenge and runs strongly down field. They’re looking good, but Southwell makes another handling error and she is feeling the frustration. 51 mins: Kernick gets things moving with a line break and the Roosters are on the move again. Some sloppy passing takes away a chance at a try on the edge, but Kelly breaks through the line on the next play. Upton strips the ball one-on-one to stop a certain try. The Broncos speed down field through a Brigginshaw line break and get within millimetres of the try line, but Sergis and Kernick make a brilliant try-saving tackle. 49 mins: The Broncos have improved their set completions, but they still aren’t able to put the kind of pressure on needed to break the Roosters’ line. And their discipline in defence is lacking as well – they give away another penalty midway through the Roosters’ set. 47 mins: A high tackle from Clark on Elliott gives the Roosters yet more field position. They’re setting something up, but a sensational tackle from Paitai shuts down the momentum and Baxter knocks the ball on in goal to hand the ball back to the Broncos. 45 mins: The Roosters show the difference between the two teams, with a spiralling kick from Kelleher fielded by Upton, but the kick chase is so much stronger and she has no room to move and is immediately tackled. The Broncos just aren’t putting that kind of pressure on when they do manage to complete their sets. 43 mins: Upton takes the ball strongly at the end of the Roosters’ set, but Aiken lines her up and makes a huge tackle to remind her who’s dominating this game. Brigginshaw finishes the Broncos’ set with a great kick, but there’s not much going on from the kick chase and Baxter takes the ball under no pressure. 41 mins: Hall makes another fantastic hit up – she’s been so strong today since coming off the bench. Parker takes possession after a kick on the last and Sergis sprints for the line, but Upton makes a huge try-saving tackle to hold her up and the Broncos get the ball back and a seven tackle set to see if they can get the ball down into Roosters’ territory. They put in a good kick on the fourth, Robinson runs through to pick it up, but Baxter wraps her up in the tackle. 39 mins: The Broncos are on the attack – can they complete the set and get into good position? It’s been a rare occurrence for them in this match. They do manage the completion and Southwell puts up a bomb, but it’s easily taken by Baxter. 37 mins: The Broncos receive a kick off for the first time this game, but they soon lose the ball through an error to Clark. The Roosters are up at the line again so quickly, but Nasio gets pinged for an incorrect play the ball. I hope you’re all relaxing and refuelling after that epic first half, ready for another 35 minutes of action coming up. The Roosters left 10 points out there in missed conversions in the first half, but what Kelleher has lacked in goal kicking she’s made up for in her kicks in play. Well, what an incredibly dominant half from the Roosters. They didn’t let a bad start get into their heads and spent the vast majority of the half inside the Broncos 20m. With 73% of the possession in the half and an 87% completion rate (compared to the Broncos’ 30%), it’s been a sensational performance from the minor premiers. Broncos coach Scott Prince and captain Ali Brigginshaw are going to need to deliver an all-time great half-time speech to turn this around. The Roosters only converting one of their six tries gives them a sniff – let’s see what they can do in the second half. 33 mins: It was a closer shot for Kelleher this time, but still no luck with the conversion. Hall hasn’t been on the field long, but she wastes no time. It’s a classic forward’s try, running on to the ball with momentum and crashing straight through the defence to score. 31 mins: The Roosters continue their encampment in the Broncos’ half and nearly score early in the set, but some desperation from the Broncos’ defence holds them out. The team in maroon finally gets their hands on the ball and immediately knocks it on. 29 mins: Brigginshaw is on report for her dangerous tackle on Aiken after the kick a few minutes earlier, but as it’s her final NRLW game, I don’t think she’ll be overly worried about that. Kelleher misses yet another conversion – to be fair, they have been tough with a lot of tries scored close to the sideline. Hall makes a great hit up for the Roosters for her first touch of the game. Southwell gives up a penalty for the Broncos, which is not what they need right now. The Roosters play another strong attacking set, finished with yet another spiralling kick – Upton takes it comfortably, but the kick chase is spot on and Upton is pulled in goal to force a line drop out. The Roosters swing the ball wide and Parker makes a brilliant dive to score in the corner. 25 mins: Kelleher misses the kick from the sideline, but the Roosters aren’t too concerned with their conversion rate at the moment. Another successful kick off receive from the Roosters, they’re really getting the hang of this now. Their attack looks so dominant. Aiken gets taken out after the kick by Brigginshaw and I was expecting a penalty, but instead the Roosters chased down the kick and scored – quick thinking from Fressard. 22 mins: Kelleher misses the conversion to keep the score at 14-0. The Broncos will need to lift, they haven’t really looked in the game as yet and the Roosters are flying high. In the blink of an eye, the Roosters are down at the Broncos line again. Kelleher tests the defence again with a high, swirling kick and forces a knock on from Johnson. Aiken takes the line on and opens up a gap for Kelly, who steps off her left foot and dives over to score. 19 mins: The Roosters manage to catch the kick off this time, which will be a great relief for them. They take some quick play the balls and pick up a penalty on the fifth tackle to power down field. An easy kick for Kelleher and she converts it without breaking a sweat. The Broncos play a good set, with a great kick from Southwell to finish it, but Robinson knocks on in the chase and the Roosters get a piggyback down field from a penalty and a quick tap. Parker makes a play for the line, is tackled by strong defence, but on the next play Aiken kicks, rebounds it off the defence and scores! 15 mins: Pule makes another great hit up to open some space and Kelleher finishes the set with a searching grubber kick. The Broncos grab it and are tackled inside the in goal, but Strange is ruled offside and the Broncos are on the attack again. 13 mins: The Roosters play a strong set, finished with another fantastic Kelleher kick – it spirals high in the air and Upton and Robinson clash in trying to catch it and knock it on. The Roosters get a scrum feed 10m out. 11 mins: Another error, with Sergis losing the ball in a tackle and handing it back to the Broncos. They have an opportunity in the Roosters half, can they take advantage? Upton puts Ferguson through a gap, but she can’t dive over and then a knock on from Southwell on the next play gives the ball back to the Roosters. 9 mins: A great hit up from Pule for the Roosters gets their attacking set off to a positive start. It’s a good set, finished with another great kick from Kelleher, but the Broncos manage to pick it up after Upton fumbles backwards and they march downfield. They kick it on the fourth to try to catch the Roosters off guard, but Parker is up to the challenge. 7 mins: Another kick off mistake from the Roosters, they allow the ball to bounce and it goes dead in goal – a great kick from Southwell. But then the Broncos make another handling error and let the Roosters off the hook. A pinpoint kick from Jocelyn Kelleher across the field sets up an easy try to Parker and she puts it down gleefully. Kelleher misses the conversion to keep the score at 4-0. 2 mins: An immediate mistake for the Roosters from the kick-off, with Fressard trying to trap the ball with her foot, but it flies over the sideline in a nightmare start. The Bronocs make a play for the line on the second tackle but are held up by desperate defence. They manage to keep the Broncos from scoring, but it was touch and go there for a while. The teams are on the field now and the game is about to begin… A lot of the chat around this game is focused on Tarryn Aiken and for good reason. She missed the 2025 grand final due to an ACL injury and she is a very exciting and creative player. This season alone she has 17 try assists and 20 line break assists, so she has the ability to break the game right open. Her presence at half back today could be the difference for the Roosters. An underrated thing about the NRLW and its ability to inspire young girls is the range of body types you’ll see on display today. From the slight and speedy wingers to the pure power of the front rowers, any young girl watching at home can see herself on this field and not feel like she needs to change the way her body looks to be able to aspire to play on the biggest stage. Long may it continue! Undefeated Roosters v big stage specialists Broncos Some stats for you to mull over while we wait for the game to begin. The Roosters definitely have the overall edge over the Broncos, having won six of their last seven games beween the two. However, that one loss was last year’s grand final and grand finals is where the Broncos shine. They have contested four grand finals in the history of the competition and won all four of them. So who can triumph today? The consistently excellent Roosters or the big stage specialists Broncos? Not long now until we find out! We’ve still got some time to go before kick off, so if you want to make sure you’re fully primed for the game, Jack Snape has you covered with this great preview. I do like that we get some pre-match entertainment for the NRLW and I like the fact that it’s Bachelor Girl even more. It’s been many years since I have even thought about the existence of this duo, but it turns out I still know all the words to the song they’re playing, Lucky Me. Both teams are playing 1-17 as listed, with no late changes. Jayme Fressard was in danger of missing the game for the Roosters after a shoulder strain last weekend, but has made it through fitness tests and has been cleared to take part. 1. Corban Baxter 2. Brydie Parker 3. Jessica Sergis 4. Isabelle Kelly 5. Jayme Fressard 6. Jocelyn Kelleher 7. Tarryn Aiken 8. Millie Elliott 9. Keeley Nizza 10. Otesa Pule 11. Sariah Paki 12. Jasmin Strange 13. Olivia Kernick Interchange: 14. Taina Naividi 15. Aliyah Nasio 16. Rima Butler 17. Amber Hall Reserve: 18. Mia Wood 1. Tamika Upton 2. Kerri Johnson 3. Deleni Paitai 4. Georgia Bartlett 5. Julia Robinson 6. Ali Brigginshaw 7. Jesse Southwell 8. Shannon Mato 9. Jada Ferguson 10. Brianna Clark 11. Lauren Dam 12. Romy Teitzel 13. Lillian Yarrow Interchange: 14. Rhemy Hinckesman 15. Chelsea Lenarduzzi 16. Reegan Hicks 17. Harlem Walker Reserve: 18. Caitlin Urwin Hello and welcome to the 2026 NRLW grand final. If someone told me at the start of the season that they predicted a Roosters v Broncos grand final, I would have said “Well that’s a boring prediction, why are you even telling me this?” Yes, we’ve ended up where we always expected to end up and for the fourth time in the history of the competition, we have these two foundation clubs meeting in the final. The last time they met, the Roosters came out on top by 14 points. In fact the minor premiership winning Roosters are undefeated coming into the final, with a whopping differential of 318 in just 11 games of the regular season. The Broncos finished third on the ladder, but made short work of the Knights and Titans over the last two weeks to send them into the grand final, where they’ll be chasing their fifth premiership. These same two teams met in last year’s grand final and it was the Broncos who came away with the win after a late try, so the Roosters will be gunning to finish off their perfect season with a win. Both teams have something extra to play for, with Brisbane stalwart Ali Brigginshaw and Roosters stars Corban Baxter and Millie Elliott announcing their retirement, so their teammates will want to send them out with a fairytale ending. So while this game can’t deliver us a classic underdog tale like we’re getting in the men’s grand final, there is plenty to play for and one of these teams will be building on their dynasty.