The Sydney Roosters have qualified for their fourth NRLW Grand Final, defeating the back-to-back defending champions Newcastle Knights 25-16 in today’s second Preliminary Final.
It was a three minute attacking masterclass just before halftime from Roosters veteran fullback Sam Bremner which turned the game on its head. With the Sydney team leading 10-4, the Knights were on the attack and threatened to draw level six minutes before the break. A last tackle kick from Knights halfback Jesse Southwell was far too strong and handed the Roosters a seven tackle set.
The home team made it a 12 point turnaround, as halfback Jocelyn Kelleher’s inside pass to Bremner allowed her to squeeze through the small gap close to the tryline to score. Just three minutes later, the electrifying fullback was on the receiving end again as halfback Tarryn Aiken turned the ball back on the inside and sprinted 20 metres to score right before the halftime siren, to leave the Roosters with a commanding 22-4 lead.
It’s been a remarkable journey for mother of two Bremner, who retired from the game 12 months ago, only to make a last minute comeback this season after regular Roosters fullback Corban Baxter suffered an ACL injury in a trial match, ironically against Cronulla Sharks, the Roosters’ grand final opponents next Sunday. Coach John Strange said after the match he would love for the inspirational fullback to win an NRLW title before taking on her new role in 2025 as Female Football Manager at the St George-Illawarra Dragons:
“She’s a pioneer of the women’s game. Yes, she’s retired a couple of times, and obviously we’ve brought her back with Corbs doing her ACL, but I think it’s what she deserves. She’s done everything in the game, and there’s one little thing she hasn’t which we spoke about which is the premiership. I think it would be great for the game to send someone like Sammy Bremner out on a high.”
The Knights needed to respond in the second half, and while they started to get on top with possession and territory, they weren’t able to convert it on the scoreboard until there were 10 minutes remaining when exciting youngster Evah McEwen dived over for a try in just her second NRLW appearance. With a glimpse of hope but time running out, the Knights were again on the attack before a huge hit from Roosters prop Mille Elliott forced an error and doused the defending premiers’ hopes.
Leading the Roosters into the grand final will be captain Isabelle Kelly, who many thought may not take the field today, having dislocated her elbow in last weekend’s win over Parramatta. The injury, which was compounded by a ruptured ligament and heavy bone bruising, possibly would’ve kept many players out of today’s game, but not Kelly, who ran for over 150 metres:
“I feel that the last two seasons we’ve fell short, and that’s really hurt as a player, and as a captain you really take a lot of responsibility on yourself.
I just knew that I was going to do everything that I was capable of to make sure that I was up for selection for this round. I’d put my body on the line for these girls and this club. I’m just super inspired by every girl that I get to play with in this team. If I could go out there and just do my job defensively and work hard for those girls, then that’s all I wanted to do.”
The two grand finalists will be led by NSW State of Origin teammates, with the equally inspiring Tiana Penitani scoring the opening try for her Sharks today in their 14-0 win over the Broncos in Brisbane. It was an impressive performance from the Sharks, who put aside a three game losing streak, while ending Brisbane’s run of seven straight wins.
The Roosters head into the grand final having handed the Sharks a 40-0 thrashing just four weeks ago, however that will count for little when the teams meet again next Sunday at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
SCORE:
SYDNEY ROOSTERS 25
NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS 16