The Brisbane Broncos have proven far too good for the Sydney Roosters running out 24-12 in the inaugural NRLW grand final at ANZ Stadium.
Brisbane went through the season undefeated and continued that dominance on a Sunday afternoon with their highest ever score.
The match began with the Roosters striking early with a penalty goal after great lead-up work and running by Isabelle Kelly and Taleena Simon, Roosters 2-0.
From the kick-off, Roosters prop Elianna Walton knocked-and the Broncos made them pay in the next set of six when went over.
Soon after the resumption of play, the Roosters retaliated via Tazmin Gray, who scored out wide to take the scores to 6-all.
The Broncos then ran in another try to take the score to 12-6.
Brisbane were back in Roosters territory again soon after and awarded a penalty try in the 12th minute when Ali Brigginshaw put a deft kick through for Kimiora Nati, who would've dived onto the ball and scored, but Simon's last gasp effort of coming in with her legs knocked the ball from Nati's grasp.
Penalty Try to the @brisbanebroncos!#NRLWGF 18-6 to the Broncos after 20 minutes.#NRLW pic.twitter.com/c3lQtiwNfL
— Women's Rugby League (@WRugbyLeague) September 30, 2018
The Broncos were awarded a penalty try, as Simon's actions were awarded illegal and Baker converted and the score went to 18-6.
In the 20th minute, Amber Pilley was penalised for a double movement off great lead-up work by Baker, as the Roosters cover defence was up to the task and tackled Pilley short of the line.
The Broncos forwards dominance had become apparent at this stage of the match and with the injection of Steph Hancock from the bench, Ngatokotoru Arakua and her fellow Kiwi Fern Teuila Fotu-Moala were running at will close to the Roosters line off great service by Brittany Breayley.
Off the back of this forward dominance, Arakua crashed over in the 25th minute and with Baker adding the extras the score went to 24-6.
Just before half-time, the Broncos were in again, and this time it was Baker who ran a great line out wide and even though she was tackled by Roosters fullback Karina Brown in a great covering tackle, she managed to get the ball away to utility player Lavinia Gould, who scored in the left corner and the Broncos went into the half-time break well on top.
The @brisbanebroncos are turning it on now!
— Women's Rugby League (@WRugbyLeague) September 30, 2018
Baker with the offload and Gould backs up to score.#NRLWGF 28-6 to the Broncos just before HT.#NRLW pic.twitter.com/2fvzPUbn2R
After the resumption of play, both teams settled down, with possession more even than it had been and play see-sawed from end-to-end.
In the 45th minute Jillaroo Lavina O'Mealey, who is retiring after the match, broke a Broncos tackle and went in under the posts after great running up-front by Walton and with the extras added the score went to 28-12.
Two minutes later the Broncos had great field position through their forwards starting to dominate again and off the back of this five-eighth Nati was in for her third try of the day, 34-12.
Your 2018 #NRLW Premiers!#NRLWGF pic.twitter.com/Kpkcy4eKcN
— Women's Rugby League (@WRugbyLeague) September 30, 2018
Nati was rewarded for her grand final hat-trick with the 2018 Karen Murphy Medalist as the Player of the Match.
The Broncos were far too good on the day with the Roosters trying hard, but being no match for the Broncos forward dominance which translated to plenty of tries out wide in their six tries to two victory.
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