Roosters Make History with Perfect Season and NRLW Grand Final Win

The Sydney Roosters NRLW side has cemented its legacy with a crushing grand final win over the Brisbane Broncos. Twelve months on from a heartbreaking loss to the women from Brisbane, the Roosters not only won the premiership, but did something no other top-flight rugby league team has achieved in Australia for more than a century.

Quick Hits from the Grand Final

Origin wingers make uncharacteristic errors in the opening minutes of the game. Sydney Roosters winger Jayme Fressard had a poor start, failing to gather the opening kick-off and nudging it into touch. Brisbane's Julia Robinson also made a mistake, dropping the ball stone cold in her own half, gifting the Roosters a golden chance to open the scoring.

The Roosters capitalized on the error, with winger Brydie Parker fielding a great cross-field kick from five-eighth Jocelyn Kelleher and touching down in the corner.

Tarryn Aiken's 7-Minute Blitz

The Roosters dominated the first half, with Brisbane's goal-line defence initially holding strong. However, Sydney halfback Tarryn Aiken produced three moments of brilliance in a 7-minute stretch, leading to a trio of tries for the Roosters. Aiken grubbered for herself and scored the game's second try after a ricochet off Brisbane winger Kerri Johnson.

Aiken then set up the third try, passing from the base of a scrum to captain Isabelle Kelly, who charged over. Aiken's third moment of brilliance was a great kick that Brisbane's Deleni Paitai fumbled, allowing the Roosters to regather and Fressard score in the corner.

Brigginshaw on Report in Farewell Game

Broncos' Ali Brigginshaw, a trailblazer in women's rugby league, played her farewell game in the grand final. Brigginshaw was desperate to prevent Aiken from putting in an attacking cross-field kick, but her low dive resulted in her clattering into Aiken's planted leg. The hit could have resulted in Brigginshaw being sin-binned, but referee Belinda Sharpe only put her on report.

Tamika Upton's Try-Saving Tackle

Down 26-0 early in the second half, Brisbane's misery looked set to continue when the Roosters were about to cross over for their seventh try. However, Brisbane's captain and fullback Tamika Upton, the Dally M medalist this season, produced a try-saving tackle on Jessica Sergis.

Roosters Complete First Perfect Season in 101 Years

The Roosters came into the decider with confidence, having won 30 of their previous 31 NRLW matches. They exacted revenge for last year's loss with a commanding win, completing the perfect season. The Sydney Roosters became the first men's or women's side in top-grade rugby league to go the entire season without suffering a loss since the 1959 St George Dragons.