Roosters resolve shines through to hand Chooks first ever NRLW Premiership

The Sydney Roosters have won their first NRLW Premiership after a pulsating 16-4 victory over St George Illawarra Dragons at Redcliffe.

The narrative behind the Roosters was overwhelming: they lost their first two games in 2021 and were on life support, then seemed all but dead and buried when trailing 16-0 to the previously dominant Broncos in the semifinal.

Yet this team has such reserves of confidence and self-belief that, even when trailing, even when continually turned away by superb Dragons defence until midway through the second half, they kept at it.

Sarah Togatuki, who was named player of the match, was a perfect example of this: she had been under a suspension cloud and not expected to play, but underwent a gruelling 36-hour fast and prayer session before Tuesday’s judiciary declared her able to play.

In the end, it was her bustling run that created the try that sealed the game.

Olivia Higgins ignored her own physio’s calls to stop play, which might be questioned by the Dragons, but the Roosters played to the whistle.

It was a bruising contest that saw both Brydie Parker of the Roosters and Paige McGregor of the Dragons taken off with injuries, and one that showcased the last-ditch tackling and defensive resolve of both sides.

In the end, it was the finest attacking move of the match – a superb team try from the Chooks – that was the difference between the sides. It put the Roosters ahead for the first time in the game and they never looked back.

It started fast for St George Illawarra. Just two minutes in, the Dragons were over. It was a scrum play that saw Emma Tonegato, joint Dally M winner, strike to the left and Madison Bartlett, top scorer in the comp, cross at the corner.

The Dragons had the best possible start but they hardly had it their own way. If anything the Roosters were the stronger side but failed to capitalise, with superb defence in the corners denying both wingers, Brydie Parker and Leanne Tufuga, as well as forward Hannah Southwell.

The defence was to be tested yet further. Taliah Fuimaono was binned for a high shot on Parker – who went off and did not return with a knee injury sustained in the same tackle – and the pressure went up a notch further.

Paige McGregor came to the fore: she denied Jess Sergis a sure try before threatening at the other end, only to be stopped by a miracle tackle from her sister, Raecene, playing for the Roosters.

The feeling was growing that the Chooks had failed to make their possession advantage count sure enough, it very nearly did. Keeley Davis thought she had scored but the bunker saw a knock on in the build up and took it away.

This was proving a defensive masterclass from both sides and it was the Roosters’ turn to show their mettle. Sergis, twice, denied the Dragons with huge tackles, first on Emma Tonegato and then on Talei Holmes, to keep her side within touch.

Yasmin Meekes took advantage. She made the break on the left to put the Roosters within striking distance, and a few plays later, isolated Dragons halfback Rachel Peason on the goalline to crash over. Tamara missed the kick and the scores were level at 4-4.

The game turned on an injury to Paige McGregor. She had been one of the best on ground, but caught her hand in a tackle on Leanne Tufuga and had to leave with her arm in a sling.

Moments later, the Roosters took the lead through a superb team try. Corban Baxter created the move, fed Zahara Tamara and she offloaded to Isabell Kelly.

The former Dally M Medallist still had plenty to do, but is one of the most dangerous runners in the women’s game and sliced back against the Dragons slide to score by the posts. Tamara converted.

The Roosters were not to be stopped. Sarah Togatuki broke to get the Chooks up the park and despite the Roosters physio calling for the game to be stopped for an injury in the Dragons line, Olivia Higgins did not and scored the match-sealing try.