The Brisbane Broncos beat the Sydney Roosters 22–18 in the NRLW Grand Final 2025 at Accor Stadium. This ended the Roosters’ 18-match unbeaten streak and kept them from having a perfect season, which would have been a first in history. Brisbane won their fourth NRLW championship, solidifying their position as the best team in women’s rugby league. The team was led by Tamika Upton, Mele Hufanga, and captain Ali Brigginshaw.
The NRLW Grand Final 2025 at Accor Stadium Sydney was full of drama, history, and heart.
The Sydney Roosters were looking for their first perfect rugby league season in 100 years, while the Brisbane Broncos were determined to win back the NRLW title.
The women’s rugby league final lived up to every expectation in front of 40,127 fans.
NRLW Build-Up-Injuries, Strategy, and the Intensity of the Origin
Coach John Strange, who had already won the State of Origin, led the Roosters to 18 straight wins starting in August 2024. His developmental approach had led to championships in 2021 and 2024, but things got tough later on.
Tarryn Aiken (ACL) and Tavarna Papalii (edge forward) were both ruled out earlier in the season. Taina Naividi (try-scorer) and Amber Hall (impact prop) both dropped out the day before the game. Jayde Herdegen made her first appearance from the bench under a lot of stress.
Mindset After the Prelim
The Roosters won a close game against Cronulla in the preliminary final, 17-16. It was a wake-up call that put their composure to the test.
The Broncos, on the other hand, beat Newcastle 30-6, showing off their attacking skills but making 18 mistakes in handling the ball. Both teams knew that discipline could be the difference in the final game.
Different styles clashing
The Broncos play a free-flowing, attack-first style, while the Roosters play a more structured, patient style. Tamika Upton and Julia Robinson are the fastest players on Brisbane’s team, while Olivia Kernick gives Sydney’s team a late-game boost with her line-busting runs.
The Battle of the Packs
The build-up was all about the front-row duels: Rima Butler and Otesa Pule for the Roosters against Brianna Clark and Annetta Claudia-Nu’uausala for the Broncos.
Edge stars Aliyah Nasio and Jasmin Strange fought Lauren Dam and Romy Teitzel in what experts called the “meter-eater match-ups.”
Stability of the Spine
Brisbane’s biggest strength was their unchanged spine: Upton, Gayle Broughton, Ali Brigginshaw, and Jada Ferguson. Broughton, the Dally M Five-Eighth of the Year, was also playing her last game, which made the event even more emotional.
Captain Ali Brigginshaw said:
- “It feels like Queensland versus New South Wales, with Origin-level intensity from start to finish.”
A Grand Final Showdown on NRLW Game Day
Fans filled Accor Stadium starting at 1 p.m. for the State Championship Final, where the NZ Warriors beat the Burleigh Bears 50–20.
Before the NRLW final started at 4 p.m. in 28 °C heat, Teddy Swims was the main act.
First Half-The Broncos Take Control Early
The Broncos came out of the gates with perfect timing. Brigginshaw’s first bomb hit the wrong spot, giving Sydney an early set, but the Roosters’ handling got worse.
19 min—TRY Tamika Upton faked out the Broncos and ran through them without being touched. Teitzel made the change. (6-0)
28 minutes—TRY Broncos: Jada Ferguson powered over from the dummy-half position, pulling defenders with her. Teitzel added the extras. (12-0)
Jess Sergis ran a “cheat-code” 50 meters between scores but lost the ball wide out. This was a moment that summed up Sydney’s anger.
Brisbane was ahead 12-0 at halftime, with 5-2 in line breaks and 35-18 in tackle breaks.
Fox Sports analysts said:
- “The Roosters need more from their playmakers.” They’re tired, and the backs in Brisbane are doing the hard work.
The Roosters’ Surge in the Second Half
The comeback started with Coach Strange’s calm message: “trust our system.”
- 45 min—TRY Brydie Parker burned Hufanga on the edge and ran 50 meters. Kelleher made the change. (12-6)
- 50 min—TRY Roosters: Eliza Lopamaua broke through three defenders after getting the ball from Kernick. (12–12)
- 53 min—TRY Roosters: Mia Wood finished off Sergis’s smooth short-side play. Kelleher made another kick from the sideline. (18–12)
The momentum changed to red, white, and blue. Corban Baxter moved to fullback after Parker’s earlier HIA, which made their backline more stable.
Final-Minute Madness-Broncos Fight Back
- 57 min: Julia Robinson picked up a stray pass and ran 70 m, but the bunker said Brigginshaw knocked on.
- 60 min—TRY Broncos: Rookie Shalom Sauaso pushed over next to the posts. The conversion was missed. (18-16)
- 65 min—TRY Mele Hufanga ran over Jasmin Strange and Kernick like a bulldozer. Even though there was a lot of debate, the bunker stood by the call on the field. Clark made it. (22-18)
Brigginshaw’s grubber quickly led to a repeat set when Corban Baxter was able to ground it under pressure.
Keeley Davis and Rima Butler hit heads during the same play, and both of them got swollen eyes but kept playing. Isabelle Kelly had a sprained ankle and was limping.
The Roosters pushed all the way to the end, but Brisbane’s defense held.
The Broncos won 22–18 at the end of the game
The Brisbane Broncos won their fourth NRLW championship (2018, 2019, 2020, 2025), ending Sydney’s 18-game winning streak and stopping South Sydney from having the first perfect season since 1925.
Responses to the NRLW Grand Final
Mele Hufanga—Karyn Murphy Medal 2025
- “I didn’t even think I got it right! What matters is that we trusted each other.
Brigginshaw Ali is the captain of the Broncos
- “That’s Queensland footy: faith and hard work.” This is what we’ve been waiting for for five years.
Tamika Upton is a Dally M winner
- “If you give me even a little chance, I’ll take it.” I have to punish mistakes.
John Strange is the coach of the Roosters
- “We’re proud.” Culture isn’t defined by records. These girls changed how people think about women’s rugby league.
Captain of the Roosters is Isabelle Kelly
- “Strangey makes everyone feel welcome here.” We didn’t have the best season, but we made something special.
Jocelyn Kelleher is the Halfback for the Roosters
- “The streak didn’t matter.” We just wanted to get better every week.
Five-Eighth for the Roosters-Corban Baxter
- “It felt like 2021 again, with our backs against the wall.” That’s when we do our best work.
Scott Prince is the coach of the Broncos.
- “I’m not a gambler, but I knew our girls could do this.” We’re getting fans, and they came out tonight.
With 40,127 people in attendance, the NRLW set a new record. TV ratings also broke previous highs, showing that the league is growing.
NRLW Stats and Highlights
- Roosters and Broncos in this category
- Tries Parker, Lopamaua, Wood, Upton, Ferguson, Sauaso, and Hufanga
- Changes Kelleher 3/3 Teitzel 2/4, Clark 1/1 Possession: 48% to 52%
- Line Breaks: 4 6
- 68% of people finished 78%
- Best Tackler Kernick—32 Joseph is 29 years old.
- Last time the Roosters lost was in Round 5 (August 2024). — Crowd: 40,127 (fans) — NRLW Culture & Visibility: Indie Bostock’s Viral Moment
The NRLW spotlight was bright outside of the field
Indie Bostock, 18, who is a teen star, clapped back at online trolls who made fun of her Dally M Awards dress.
She got a lot of praise from fans when she posted a TikTok with the caption “For the papi’s appalled by my dress” and sang with Tevita Naufahu.
One comment said, “Absolutely ate and left no crumbs,” which shows that the new generation of NRLW athletes are brave both on and off the field.
The Future of Standalone NRLW Grand Finals
Players and coaches started the push for women’s finals to be held on their own.
Kelly, Brigginshaw, and Strange still remember the 2022 Redcliffe final fondly, when 7,000 fans watched.
Kelly said:
- “It was very special; it felt like it was just for us.”
Brigginshaw agreed:
- “We’re making fans.” People should come early and watch the women’s game first.
Strange said he would back boutique venues for big crowds, but he likes the current shared grand-final platform.
The ARLC is now thinking about daytime NRL men’s finals, which could mean that the NRLW gets its own prime time slot in the future.
READ MORE : NRLW 2025-Broncos Crush Roosters’ 18-Game Streak in Heart-Stopping Grand Final!
The NRLW Grand Final 2025’s legacy
With four championships to Sydney’s two, this result makes Brisbane the most successful NRLW club ever.
It also showed that a full 12-team league can have Origin-level intensity in rugby league.
The Roosters’ search for perfection is over, but their impact lives on.
As women’s rugby league grows and becomes more professional, both teams have raised the bar for skill, bravery, and connecting with fans.
FAQ’S
What is the salary of NRLW players?
The NRL’s collective bargaining agreement says that NRLW players will make between $30,000 and $130,000 a year in 2025, depending on their experience, bonuses for representing their country, and the type of contract they have.
What does NRLW mean?
The NRLW (National Rugby League Women’s) is Australia’s best women’s rugby league. It has the best female players from professional clubs all over the country.
Where does the NRLW grand final take place?
The NRLW Grand Final 2025 took place at Accor Stadium in Sydney as part of the NRL Grand Final Day schedule.
Who will be in the grand final in 2025?
The Sydney Roosters and the Brisbane Broncos played in the 2025 NRLW Grand Final. The Broncos won.
READ MORE : NRL Grand Final 2025-Storm vs Broncos Ignite Sydney in an Epic Showdown