Racing
League
Rugby
Cricket
Golf
Motorsport
Combat Sports
Football
Netball
Basketball
Other Sports
Sport Nation
Broncos beat Roosters to claim NRLW premiership
Margie McDonald, AAP • October 5th, 2025 8:47 pm
Brisbane are NRLW premiers after beating the Sydney Roosters in a thrilling grand final | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
Brisbane have become the first club to win four NRLW premierships, upsetting unbeaten minor premiers the Sydney Roosters 22-18 in a thrilling grand final at Accor Stadium.
After a see-sawing second half on Sunday, the Broncos kept intact their record of never losing a grand final, having also triumphed in their previous three appearances in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
But they made it hard for themselves. Two tries were over-ruled by the bunker and Brisbane let a 12-0 halftime lead slip to trail 18-12 midway through the second half, when the Roosters went on a scoring spree.
Tamika Upton shone for the Broncos, collecting her fifth premiership ring | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
It may be Brisbane's fourth trophy but it was the first for coach Scott Prince, who won an NRL premiership on the same ground 20 years ago for the Wests Tigers.
The first 15 minutes were an arm wrestle, but among the highlights were some tackle-busting runs from Broncos centre Mele Hufanga.
She skittled defenders as she made inroads into Rooster territory, racking up 122 run metres in the opening half. Her game total was 199 off 16 runs, including 68 post-contact metres as well as scoring the late match-winner.
Hufanga was rewarded for her efforts by being named the Karyn Murphy Medal winner as player of the match.
After a false alarm in the 18th minute - when Brisbane's Lauren Dam touched down from an Ali Brigginshaw kick only for the try to be disallowed - it was Dally M winner Tamika Upton who led the way.
In the first play off a Broncos scrum 10-metres out, Upton found a gap and accelerated through it to register her 20th try of the season.
Her premiership ring today was her fifth, after winning with the Broncos in 2019 and 2020 and Newcastle in 2022 and 2023.
Hooker Jada Ferguson sneaked over from dummy-half soon afterwards and Brisbane had a respectable 12-0 lead at the break.
But the Roosters finally shifted into gear in the second half, scoring three times in eight minutes.
Tempers flared on fulltime after a tense second half | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
Their first try was a runaway effort from fullback Brydie Parker, who dodged Hufanga and out-sprinted Upton.
Minutes later, prop Eliza Lopamaua barged through three defenders close to the line, before right-side winger Mia Wood crossed in the corner.
The Roosters had the lead for the first time (18-12) before Brisbane's Dally M Centre of the Year Julia Robinson scooped up a dropped ball and raced 60 metres untouched to score - only for the bunker to find a knock-on in the lead-up.
Broncos Rookie of the Year Shalom Sauaso then found an extra gear to push her way through Roosters defenders. But the normally reliable Romy Teitzel missed the conversion.
Shalom Sauaso brought the Broncos back into the match with her 60th minute try | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
This left the Roosters up by two points with nine minutes left, but they were hurting, with hooker Keeley Davis (right eye) and captain Isabelle Kelly (ankle) playing on after treatment for injuries.
Hufanga then piled on more pain when she scored the Broncos' fourth and match-winning try in the 65th minute.
Brisbane held on for their first premiership in five years.
