A controversial try to Mele Hufunga in the dying minutes of the NRLW Grand Final has seen Brisbane snatch a 22-18 victory over the Sydney Roosters at Accor Stadium.
Both sides had big opportunities to score in the opening fifteen minutes, but it was the Broncos who had the first main chance when Hayley Maddick went over, cleaning up a lost ball from Brydie Parker. The bunker, though, stepped in to rule against the Broncos with a double knock on in the kick contest. It didn't matter for Brisbane, though, as straight off the ensuing scrum, Tamika Upton sliced through.
The Broncos extended their lead just shy of the half-time break when the broken Roosters defensive line was caught out again when Jada Ferguson went from dummy half on the last tackle and got the ball down. The conversion from Romy Teitzel was good, and the Broncos led 12-0, which they took into the break.
The Roosters needed to find a spark in the second half, and they got it when Brydie Parker showed speed off the back of a scrum in the middle of the field and raced away, beating the outside defence to score in the corner. Jocelyn Kelleher converted from wide out to close the gap back to six.
Scores were levelled just short of the hour mark when the Roosters were looking dangerous, and rookie forward Eliza Lopamaua scored and juggled the ball, but kept control to fight and get to the ground. Kelleher converted for the scores to be locked up at 12-all.
It was only a matter of minutes before the Roosters took the lead, as their right edge again beat the Brisbane defence with ease. Mia Wood was able to cross over in the corner, and from out wide, Jocelyn Kelleher converted.
The momentum quickly shifted when Julia Robinson cleaned up a loose ball from the Roosters and raced 70m, but the celebrations were quickly muted by the bunker when replays showed a touch from Ali Brigginshaw knocked the ball on. The first infringement, by the Tricolours, meant that Brisbane still had possession, and they were able to score through Shalom Sauaso, who fought her way to the line and got it down. Romy Teitzel's conversion from close range was a shocker, and the Broncos still trailed by two points.
The most significant and most controversial moment of the game came inside the final five minutes when Mele Hufunga got over the line and looked to be held up; however, despite not being in a great position, referee Belinda Sharpe awarded the try, and the replays didn't exactly back up the referee's call, but weren't enough for the bunker to overturn.
A couple of miracle plays from the Roosters weren't enough, and the Broncos held on for a 22-18 win.
Judiciary charges
Jasmin Strange (Roosters)
Grade 1 Dangerous Contact (Tripping) on Gayle Broughton (8th minute)
Base penalty: 1 match
2nd & Subsequent Offence
-- Early Plea: 1 match*
-- Guilty at Panel: 2 matches
PLEA: Guilty - early plea 39A. $400
*Rule 39A - The player can elect to pay a fine of $400 instead of a 1 match suspension upon entering a plea of guilty
Aliyah Nasio (Roosters)
Grade 3 Striking on Julia Robinson (70th minute)
2nd & Subsequent Offence
-- Referred to Judiciary
PLEA: Guilty - disputes grading
OUTCOME: Guilty - 4 matches