The @brisbanebroncos are the 2020 #NRLW PREMIERS!
— LeagueUnlimited.com rugby league site & magazine (@LeagueUnlimited) October 25, 2020
Brisbane 20
Sydney 10#NRLWGF pic.twitter.com/pGrU0FyPJU
The rain is pouring once more as the Roosters dominate possession but little else in the late stages of this one. A Broncos premiership for the third straight year all over bar the shouting at this stage.
Now the Roosters lose it. Hopes fading for the Tricolours.
Boom, just like that a forward pass is ruled and the Roosters have it back inside Brisbane's 20m.
McGregor gets an offload away but it goes behind Shanice Parker into touch.
Roosters force a repeat set again. They've done well off these so far today - can they set up a grandstand finish?
Ten left, ten the difference. Roosters still a chance there but they need to be more adventurous (in spite of the damp conditions) to get the W.
Ward misses another. Ten point margin with less than fifteen to go.
A seven tackle set for the Broncos and they steam upfield and Harden steams through a yawning gap to make things very hard for the Roosters!
Roosters on the attack now... rain continues to fall.
Time off with Brisbane's Lauren Brown down after a clash with Sarah Togatuki.
Togatuki lets it fly through her hands and the Broncos are off the hook.
McGregor spills the kickoff! Roosters get it back.
Ward misses. One converted try remains the difference.
Lenarduzzi rampages over the line! Brisbane strike first after the break!
A penalty and a six-again call in the Broncos' favour and they are heavy on the attack now.
End-to-end footy for the first few minutes of this second half. Brisbane probably with the better field position but neither side attacking yet... and now the Roosters pick up a penalty just short of halfway... but don't find touch!
We're back underway. Roosters first possession in the second stanza.
Teams back on the park and we're moments away from a restart.
What a half
— Women's Rugby League (@WRugbyLeague) October 25, 2020
The @brisbanebroncos lead the @sydneyroosters 12-10 at the break. #NRLWGF pic.twitter.com/0WXMMgyew2
The Roosters lose it and the halftime siren goes. Brisbane have a two point lead in an entertaining contest as we go to the sheds.
Roosters get a penalty at the end of the following set and then a Broncos knock down... one minute left and the Roosters have a good shot at taking the lead...
Temara nails this one from an easier position and now we have a ball game!
Dodd goes over from dummy half and the Roosters have their second!
Vette-Welsh with a huge break down the left edge! She is brought to ground, the Roosters then shift the ball to the right and Howard's kick is well placed again to force a repeat set.
Togatuki with another error - this one looks more clear-cut but she's challenging it. It's unsuccessful though and the Roosters have none remaining. Broncos scrum on their own 30m.
Ali Brigginshaw looks to have executed a successful one-on-one steal but there were two in the tackle. Penalty Roosters on their own 30m.
Solid set from the Roosters after points but then Brisbane get a penalty as they bring it back from their own end.
Temara's conversion attempt is wide.
Meakes scores from the next play! What a moment! Down the right side and finds the gap and dives over!
SUCCESSFUL. Roosters retain the ball on the attack for now.
Roosters drop it... but are issuing a CAPTAIN'S CHALLENGE.
They force a repeat set from that play, with Melanie Howard grubbering and pressuring the Broncos into batting it dead. Roosters could really do with a try here.
After a dominant start from the reigning champs, the Roosters have received a couple of penalties and now have some attacking footy inside Brisbane's 20m.
Ward with a superb sideline kick which tucks itself away just inside the uprights!
Try time again - Amber Hall gets through a hall and takes the momentum across the line on the left edge.
Ward converts for a six point lead!
A burst on the left edge from Tarryn Aiken who finds Upton in support - the fullback runs away!
Simaima Taufa tries a clever pass for Filomina Hanisi but Hanisi can't hold it and Brisbane have a scrum on their own 30m.
We're underway!
Brisbane join them on the park as the rainfall begins to intensify. The reigning champs, undefeated in this short season.
4:04pm - coaches addresses done and players coming down the tunnel. The Tricolours are first out onto ANZ.
3:59pm - Warm-ups done. Both sides back in the sheds ahead of run-out.
WEATHER: An overcast afternoon at Sydney Olympic Park. Rain's been around for the last day or two in and around the venue so expect some wet weather footy.
So happy to be back at @ANZStadium and just in time to catch the @sydneyroosters warm up ahead of the @WRugbyLeague GF. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/jBSIzMxmTm
— LadiesWhoLeague (@LadiesWhoLeague) October 25, 2020
The Roosters meanwhile are boosted by the return of fullback Botille Vette-Welsh. She comes in wearing jumper #19, pushing Shanice Parker to wing and Taleena Simon out of the side. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:05pm.
Brisbane are taking in the 17 named on Tuesday, but have made some switches positionally. Tarryn Aiken moves to half with Dally M winner Ali Brigginshaw shifting to lock, while Shannon Mato starts prop and Chelsea Lenarduzzi is benched.
Brisbane are in their third NRLW Grand Final in as many seasons - their opponents this time are the Roosters, who they conquered on this day in the inaugural season in 2018. We have the late mail...
Welcome to Grand Final Day! Our coverage stretches across both the NRLW and NRL Grand Finals today - first up is the Women's decider between Brisbane and the Roosters.
Referees & scorers:
Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Touch Judges: Drew Oultram, Liam Kennedy
Video Referee: Jared Maxwell
BRISBANE BRONCOS (20)
Tries: Tamika Upton, Amber Hall, Chelsea Lenarduzzi, Tallisha Harden
Field Goals:
Conversions: Meg Ward (2/4)
Penalty Goals:
SYDNEY ROOSTERS (10)
Tries: Yasmin Meakes, Quincy Dodd
Field Goals:
Conversions: Zahara Temara (1/2)
Penalty Goals: