The Sydney Roosters have delivered a masterclass in women's rugby league, crushing defending premiers Brisbane Broncos 30-6 in the NRLW grand final at Accor Stadium on Sunday to claim their third premiership — and exact emphatic revenge for last year's heartbreaking defeat.
Winger Brydie Parker scored a hat-trick as the Roosters ran in six tries, racing to a historic 26-0 lead at halftime — the largest halftime advantage ever recorded in an NRLW grand final. The final margin of 24 points equalled the biggest winning margin in the history of the decider.
The victory also provided the perfect send-off for two retiring Roosters legends: fullback Corban Baxter, who departs with two premierships to her name, and prop Millie Elliott, who ends her career with an extraordinary five titles across three different clubs.
Kelleher and Aiken steer Roosters to dominance
The Roosters' halves combination of Jocelyn Kelleher and Tarryn Aiken was the driving force behind the comprehensive victory, with both players delivering performances that will be remembered long after Sunday's final whistle.
Kelleher, who had worn the No.7 jumper in last year's decider and blamed herself for the controversial late Broncos try that sealed a 22-18 Brisbane win in 2025, was in no mood to let history repeat. Her towering bombs tormented the Broncos' back five throughout, and it was her inch-perfect cross-field kick that set up Parker's opening try.
Aiken, who missed last year's grand final after suffering an ACL rupture, returned to the biggest stage with a point to prove. The halfback scored one try herself, regaining her own short kick after a ricochet to extend the lead to 10-0 inside 17 minutes, and was directly involved in setting up two further tries in the opening half.
A scintillating scrum move involving Kelleher, Baxter and Aiken put captain Isabelle Kelly over the line. Aiken's next kick was fumbled by the Broncos, with Jayme Fressard pouncing on the error. Kelly then combined with Aiken to send Parker in for her second try, before barnstorming prop Amber Hall crashed over just before halftime to put the result beyond any doubt.
Broncos bow out in disappointment as Brigginshaw era ends
For Brisbane, it was a sobering afternoon at Accor Stadium. The four-time premiership winners, who had never previously lost an NRLW grand final, could not find any answers to the Roosters' precision and power, bumbling and fumbling their way through a game that was effectively over by the break.
The result brought a difficult end to the stellar club career of Brisbane great Ali Brigginshaw, who played her final game in the red, yellow and blue. The Broncos managed a consolation try late in the contest through Southwell, but it did little to alter the complexion of a one-sided afternoon.
The loss will sting particularly given the manner in which Brisbane claimed the 2025 premiership — a late and controversial try sealed an 18-point win over the Roosters, leaving the Tricolours heartbroken after an unbeaten regular season. This time around, the John Strange-coached Roosters again entered the decider undefeated in 2026 — and there was no late drama to deny them.
Roosters cement their place as the competition's benchmark
Sunday's performance underlined just how complete this Roosters outfit is. Playing ad-lib football on the final tackle, combining precision kicking with intelligent running lines, the Tricolours were clearly the best side in the competition across the entire 2026 season.
For Elliott, the victory caps a remarkable career. Having now won five premierships across three different clubs, the retiring prop leaves the game as one of the NRLW's most decorated players. Baxter, who finishes with two titles, departs having contributed significantly to the Roosters' rise as a powerhouse of the women's game.
The NRLW grand final was played as a curtain-raiser to the men's decider between the Sydney Roosters and Newcastle Knights later that evening — a night that shaped up as a landmark occasion for the competition as a whole, with grand final referee appointments also confirmed ahead of the main event.
Parker's hat-trick, Kelleher's kicking game and Aiken's all-round brilliance will be the lasting images of an NRLW grand final that the Roosters dominated from the opening set. Brisbane will regroup and rebuild, but on this day, Sydney were in a class of their own.
Final score: Sydney Roosters 30 – Brisbane Broncos 6
