Eels put one-hand on finals spot ending the Broncos season.

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Brisbane Broncos v Parramatta Eels

The Parramatta Eels have done what no other side in the NRLW has been able to and end the Brisbane Broncos season before the finals following their 28-16 victory at Gosford.

Starting fast, the Blue and Gold looked switched on as Tiana Penitani was able to get over in the corner after a strong run through the middle set up the Eels in attack. The Eels then pushed their way over again inside ten minutes when Ellie Johnston was able to get over the line with a charging run.

Off the back of errors and ill-discipline from the Eels, the Broncos were able to score through Shenae Ciesiolka after a good long pass from Ali Brigginshaw was able to put the centre through.

Just shy of half time, the Eels were able to get their lead to beyond the required six when not long after just being denied, Ash Quinlan threw a beautiful long pass out to Zali Fay who scored in the corner. Tayla Preston couldn't convert and the Eels held a 14-6 lead at the half-time break.

Despite dominating possession, the Eels couldn't take advantage but were able to extend their lead out to 10 when slotting a penalty goal after the Broncos were penalised for ruck interference.

The Broncos were able to hit back not long after the penalty goal when the Broncos took advantage of some loose Eels defence and Hayley Maddick put the speed on to score for Brisbane to keep the gap close.

A controversial non-call from Kasey Badger came back to hurt the Eels when a short dropout from Ali Brigginshaw was taken by Jaime Chapman despite it looking like it hadn't gone ten metres. The ensuing set saw Brigginshaw score after a deflected kick bounced nicely for her to pick it up and score. A shank from close range saw the scores stay locked up at 16-16.

It might've been the football gods smiling on the Eels as they were able to hit back when Simaima Taufa charged at the line and with a gap closing, she was able to score next to the uprights and after the conversion the Eels lead by six. The Eels then confirmed their top 4 spot with Kennedy Cherrington fighting her way to the line after an important offload from Vanessa Foliaki gave Parramatta some attacking space and a ball to score close to the posts.

The twelve point victory gives Parramatta one hand on the top 4 spot depending on results, meanwhile the Broncos will miss the finals for the first time and look to see what went wrong in 2022.