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Roosters must buck NRLW finals trend against Sharks
Joanna Guelas, AAP • September 24th, 2025 7:35 pm
The in-form Roosters are keen to reverse a recent run involving NRLW minor premiers | Photo: Steven Markham/AAP
If the Sydney Roosters want to punch their ticket to a grand final, they'll have to buck a recent trend that has dogged NRLW minor premiers.
John Strange's Roosters will begin their campaign for back-to-back premierships when they host Cronulla in a preliminary final at Gosford's Polytec Stadium on Saturday.
The Tricolours finished first at the end of the regular season winning all 11 games and their winning streak has extended to 17, last losing in round five of 2024 to Gold Coast.
A dominant 40-10 win over the Sharks in the final round of the home-and-away season only adds to the Roosters' confidence.
Jayme Fressard dives over for a try in the 2024 decider | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
But if recent finals history is anything to go by, the Roosters' premiership hopes could be in danger.
Three of the last four minor premiers have failed to reach the decider, with Newcastle's 2023 run the only exception.
Before the introduction of this year's three-week finals format following the expansion to 12 clubs, the Knights were the only team to finish at the top of the ladder and win a grand final.
Brisbane, minor premiers in 2021, lost to the Roosters in a semi-final, before the Roosters suffered a semi-final defeat to Parramatta in 2022.
The Broncos again finished first last year but bowed out after losing a semi-final to the Sharks, who were then defeated by the Roosters in the grand final.
Jocelyn Kelleher looks to offload against the Dragons | Photo: Mark Kolbe/AAP
The 'minor premiers' tag has seemed to dog teams across codes this year, with NRL counterparts Canberra and AFL leaders Adelaide bowing out of their respective finals series in straight sets.
Rising Roosters star Jocelyn Kelleher is well aware.
"We had a massive talk with the NRL boys as well - finals footy is completely different," Kelleher said on Wednesday.
"It's a different game, it's a different comp. Anything can happen, anyone can win.
"It's down to every single second out on that field, you can't switch off for a second."
Central Coast product Kelleher, renowned for her versatility across the field, will notch her 50-game milestone on Saturday.
Isabelle Kelly and John Strange pose for a photo at the finals series launch | Photo: Bianca De Marchi/AAP
The 25-year-old will move into the No. 7 jersey after Tarryn Aiken suffered an ACL injury in their round-11 win over the Sharks.
Kelleher will partner with Corban Baxter, on return from a knee injury, in the halves.
"It's a lot of pressure. I'm very nervous, but I know that Strangey has our backs and we play for each other out there," Kelleher said.
"Tarryn's played really good every game she's played this season.
"When we watch games back, she's amazing. She gets through the smallest little holes.
"I've been watching her really closely this year and if I can live up to half of her potential that she's played to, hopefully I can do the girls proud out there."
Kelleher admitted the thought of vying for a third premiership alongside captain Isabelle Kelly felt surreal.
"When you think about Izzy, I used to look up to her before I met her," Kelleher said.
"I remember I reffed her at touch footy once and I was like, 'Oh my god, that's Isabelle Kelly' and now she's one of my best mates so it's crazy to think that way.
"She was fine (while refereeing), I had control."
Meanwhile, Cronulla will be vying to be the first team outside the top four to make a grand final after claiming a 24-18 elimination final win over North Queensland.
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