Brisbane Broncos Dominate Knights, Set Up NRLW Grand Final Clash with Roosters
The Brisbane Broncos secured their place in the NRLW Grand Final with a commanding 30-6 victory over the Newcastle Knights at Suncorp Stadium on Sunday. This win sets up a highly anticipated decider against the Sydney Roosters.
Broncos' Dominant First Half
Five-eighth Gayle Broughton masterminded a dominant first half, orchestrating a 24-6 lead for the Broncos in challenging hot conditions. Their ninth consecutive win solidified their status as one of the competition's frontrunners, making the Grand Final match-up with the Roosters a highly anticipated event.
The Broncos' strong start was highlighted by tries from Jada Ferguson, who darted over from dummy-half, and a brilliant solo effort from star fullback Tamika Upton. Upton pushed through in support of Broughton, racing past multiple defenders to score.
Return to the Grand Final Stage
This Grand Final appearance marks the Broncos' first since their dominant run of three consecutive premierships from 2018 to 2020, during the league's formative years with only four teams. Ali Brigginshaw, co-captain, expressed her relief at returning to the decider, after years of near misses. "We've worked so hard over the years... Finally, we got here," she stated.
Key Moments and Defensive Strength
Despite the decisive scoreline, the Broncos acknowledged they weren't at their absolute best, completing at only 60 percent. Tamika Upton, typically a standout performer, had a relatively quiet game. However, their goal-line defense proved impenetrable, marking the fourth straight game where they've conceded six points or fewer, a record in NRLW history.
"I'm just proud of how we defended," Brigginshaw said. "The attack wasn't quite on, there were quite a few errors... But we'll hold our heads high and enjoy getting through that hump and then prepare for the Roosters."
Knights' Struggles and Key Errors
Two of the Broncos' first-half tries stemmed from Broughton's strategic kicking game targeting Sheridan Gallagher on the wing. Gallagher endured a difficult half, dropping crucial kicks that led to tries for Kerri Johnson and Lauren Dam.
The Knights struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, appearing clunky at times. Coach Ben Jeffries expressed his disappointment. "You don't want to be knocked out at this time of year. It's gut-wrenching, to be honest... You just can't give that sort of start away - 24-0."
Jules Kirkpatrick scored the Knights' only try, diving over from dummy-half, mirroring Jada Ferguson's earlier effort for the Broncos. A crucial turnover occurred when Kirkpatrick lost possession near the try line, allowing rookie Shalom Sauaso to set up Kerri Johnson for a long-range try.
