For the first time in the history of NRL Women’s, this weekend a premier other than the Brisbane Broncos will be crowned.
The St George Illawarra Dragons booked their place in the grand final with a 24-18 win over the Gold Coast Titans.
Then, in one of the upsets of the season, the Sydney Roosters beat the reigning premiers 22-16.
This was only the Broncos’ third loss in their history and will mean that, for the first time, the premiers will be from NSW.
It was an incredible performance by the Roosters, particularly given how few people gave them a hope. After finding themselves behind on the scoreboard by 16 points in the 13th minute (with Olivia Higgins in the sin bin), the Chooks scored 22 unanswered points.
Brisbane had no answer to the attacking prowess of Isabelle Kelly and Jess Sergis, and their forward pack could not match it with the likes of Sarah Togatuki and Hannah Southwell. The speed and strength of Queensland Origin fullback Tamika Upton was restricted as the Broncos made uncharacteristic errors.
At the end of the game, the Broncos were devastated.
Millie Boyle of the Broncos kicks the ball. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)
And, surprisingly, so was I.
My next comments are not meant to detract from the Tricolours’ efforts – after a slow start to the season, they did enough to make the semi-finals, beat the team that was in front of them, and absolutely deserve their place.
But part of me felt sympathy for the defeated team.
The Broncos have been the most dominant team in the competition since its inception, winning the minor premiership four years in row. But what benefit have they got from finishing at the top of the table? Very little.
This team has only had the chance to play one home game in four seasons. They also had to travel more than any other team to participate, since the New Zealand Warriors made the decision to no longer field a team.
I understand that there are financial and also pandemic-related reasons as to why so much of the competition has been played in Sydney, but it has been to the detriment of the inter-state teams. This makes what Brisbane have achieved even more impressive.
The fact they did not make the decider also raises questions about their perceived dominance for this season.
When the expansion announcement was made midway through last year, a conversation ensued about how to distribute the talent.
The proposal to help spread out the talent was to offer central contracts to the top-24 players, with four players to go to each of the six clubs. Some players agreed to shift for ‘the good of the game’ while others – notably several Broncos players – decided not to.
There was a lot of criticism levelled at these players at the time. People questioned their motives and called them selfish. Others were concerned about how dominant the Broncos had been and thought that the only way to change that would be to disband the team.
That seems silly now.
Even with a core group of consistent players, Brisbane have been beaten twice this year, by the Titans and the Roosters. There is talent in each of the teams, particularly at the Dragons like Rachael Pearson and Jamie Chapman.
The inclusion of professional athletes like Emma Tonegato and Evania Pelite has also been thrilling to see.
The fact Ali Brigginshaw and her team have missed the grand final is positive overall. It means that the other teams are pushing to be better, that new talent is emerging, and that we are not in a situation where the same team wins every year.
Ali Brigginshaw (Photo by Mark Kolbe/Getty Images)
But then there’s the challenge of where the big dance is being held.
I suspect the NRL scheduled the venue as being Redcliffe with a hunch that at least one Queensland team would be playing. Had that team been the Broncos, it would have been a home coming of sorts and an opportunity for fans to celebrate three premierships.
Brisbane will not have that opportunity now.
And unfortunately for fans of the Sydney teams competing, the chance to watch their team in the flesh just got harder.
It’s likely too late to move the game, but in a season where it was automatically assumed that the Broncos would win again, I’m surprised that I’m feeling sad they won’t feature next weekend.
PaulC
Guest
Thanks Mary
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
You are missing out if you are going to wait that long! I’ve heard nothing to indicate that at this stage the Bulldogs are interested in having an NRLW team.
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Rob, I don't know for certain, but I don't think the Cowboys put in a bid initially for an NRLW team. I would be very surprised if they are not the next cab off the rank.
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Thanks Paul - sorry I didn't see this sooner. I actually don't think that that is Millie Boyle kicking the ball... I might be wrong there. Corban Baxter (nee McGregor) is who you are thinking of. Corban has always played for the Roosters in the NRLW. Its a bit confusing because there are another two McGregor's in the NRLW - Page and Raecene.
Rob
Guest
Isn’t it interesting the Roosters get an inaugural start with players from every region outside Sydney. You can say the Broncos have supplied many players also in teams. Can we ask why the Cowboys and NQ been excluded? Is it so the high profile clubs got the jump in marketing, talent and exposure. Probably the similar theory as the Cowboys getting Zero FTA exposure for the initial 10years in the ARL. Unfortunately the Cowboys had to be shown when they made the finals. 4 N.Q girls will represent Queensland?
PaulC
Guest
Mary, It would be nice for you to comment. I am not having a go at you as I am a fan of your writings.
PaulC
Guest
Mary, I wrote about the number of the Broncos who are playing for other Clubs and a prime example is in one of the photos in your Story. The caption under the photo says, Millie Boyle kicks the ball. In the shot, in a Broncos jersey is a player called McGregor who correct me if I am wrong played for the Roosters against the Broncos and had a major part in the Roosters win? I realise it is an old photo as the Sims lady is in the shot.
Simoc
Guest
Even more so with the way they did it. They just took control of the game completely and I don't recall the earlier dominant Broncos even looking like scoring again. But even so, with the way the Dragons are playing, I expect them to win with a comfortable scoreline. They seem to have speed and the ability to create havoc from broken play while the Roosters and the Broncos pretty much follow a system.
MPC
Guest
Hi Mary, Will the Bulldogs get a women's team? They are my NRL team and I have said that I will watch the NRLW, when the Bulldogs get a team.
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Unbelievable to be 16-0 with someone in the sin bin and then score 22 unanswered points. I'm still in shock!!
PaulC
Guest
catcat, one team domination? Most teams that the Broncos played were peppered with former Broncos team mates over the 4 years of the competition. Yes the Bronco women set the standard.
Clint
Roar Rookie
Hi Mary. Agree. I remember Sergis was up in Upton's face a couple of times in that final 10 minutes and shut her down with some good initial contact. Aside from the horror start from the Roosters it was a well executed game plan to keep the Broncos' key players quiet.
catcat
Roar Rookie
The broncos women have been great for the NRLW by setting a standard and winning culture in their team. However, having one team dominate the comp is not good for a competition. Tough for them, but it is good to see some of the other teams get to experience and possibly win a GF at this level. Looking forward to it. Another 2 teams will join next year, and hopefully the quality will continue to increase. Really enjoyed the 6 team comp this season.
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Albo, I noticed the same thing with Ali and wondered whether she was injured. Aitken did most of the kicking on the day and also made a couple of errors. Upton was completely nullified too thanks to the good defence of the Roosters and the pressure they put her under.
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Clint, the other thing the Roosters did very very well on the weekend was limit the impact of Tamika Upton. Temara kicked to Upton often and the defence was right up on her. Nullified her impact completely.
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Great point, Albo...
Birdy
Roar Rookie
Bad luck for the Broncettes having to live away for the season but their loss, I can only see as positive for the comp. I'll be going for the hens this week ,love watching Issabell Kelly, always expect something out of her when she is near the action. Not forgetting Jess Surgiss. These 2 are a formidable case to bring back inside and outside center. They would wreak havock.
Albo
Roar Rookie
I think it was a combination of things that saw the Bronco's upset by the Roosters on Sunday. With all the ball early and some helpful calls from the referee, the Broncos got a flier and it looked like the usual story was going to be on the cards. But the Chooks got into the game midway through the first half with more possession and some big games from their bench girls ( Predebon, Joseph & Kelleher) . Suddenly Millie Boyle & Chelsea Lenarduzzi who always lay the Broncos platform of success, were not free to run unchecked, and the Broncos were put under some real pressure in defence. Whether she was injured or not , I thought Ali Briggenshaw was very quiet with just 4 runs for 34 metres. She left most of the running & kicking to Tarryn Aitkin who was mostly contained. Tamika Upton wasn’t at her best either. In the end, the Chooks got on top and dominated the whole 2nd half to cause the big upset. Special mentions to lock Hannah Southwell who hits like a truck, and centre Isabelle Kelly 14 hit ups / 156 metres and strong defence all match. Should be a good final in Brisbane on Sunday.
Albo
Roar Rookie
Not much point moving that GF back to Sydney this weekend . With the huge amount of rain being forecast in the coming days here, it would likely be abandoned or a complete bog! At least they can get to play in better conditions in Brisbane on Sunday ?
Clint
Roar Rookie
I think the other teams have figured out their game-plan. Watching the Broncos-Roosters round 1 game live at Newcastle I noticed that the Broncos rely heavily on big, wide-running edge forwards (Amber Hall for example, who is listed as 108kg) getting one-on-one with smaller players and either busting through or offloading for much of their go-forward. It worked great in attack, but Hall in particular I noticed was often very slow to retire the 10 in defense. I think the other teams' coaches saw that and figured that if you can contain their bigger players in the opening stanza, fatigue will set in and the fitter, faster players can dominate in the back half of the match. Looking forward to the final. Go Roosters!