Dominant Broncos claim inaugural NRLW Premiership
An astonishing first half onslaught created the platform for the Brisbane Broncos to claim the inaugural NRLW Premiership, winning 34-12 to set the benchmark for teams in the fledgling competition.
Unbeaten through the regular season, the Broncos were always favourites heading into the first grand final at a sunny Olympic stadium on Sunday afternoon and did not disappoint, recording their biggest victory of the season on the biggest stage.
Kimiora Nati was awarded the inaugural Karyn Murphy medal for best on ground after scoring a hat-trick of trys.
The Broncos ran in five tries to one after falling behind early, heading into the sheds with a 28-6 lead after a dominant first half.
That half time score was all the more remarkable considering that the two sides were locked together at 6-6 at the 11 minute mark.
But a missed tackle count of 15 to four in favour of the Broncos during that first half eventually told as the Broncos ran in four tries without reply.
The Roosters had drawn first blood when Zahara Temara slotted a penalty, but were placed immediately on the back foot after knocking on from the restart.
New Zealand international Nati capitalised on that error, crashing over the line to score a contentious try that was confirmed by the bunker despite question marks Nati appearing to lose control in the process of scoring.
Tazmin Gray got the Roosters back on level terms, Taleena Simon falconing the ball into the prop's hands five metres out from goal, the Broncos failing to deal with a Temara high bomb.
It was a missed tackle from Roosters star Ruan Sims allowed Broncos veteran Heather Ballinger the chance to break the deadlock, the forward crashing over the line to give the Broncos the lead.
External Link: WRugbyLeague tweet: Penalty try to the brisbanebroncos!
Ali Brigginshaw's kicking game was pinning the Roosters deep in their defensive half of the field and she was instrumental in creating the next chance for her halves partner Nati.
The Roosters failed to mop up a grubber kick from the Broncos half and Nati swept in behind to collect the ball at the back of the in goal before the ball was adjudged to have been kicked out of her hands by Roosters winger Simon.
That play resulted in a penalty try and gave the Broncos a 18-6 lead with 10 minutes remaining in the half, but the unbeaten Broncos were not done yet, with further scores to Ngatokotoru Arakua and Lavina Gould — the latter the standout try of the game.
Full-back Chelsea Baker burst through a gap in the Roosters defence after injecting herself into the line before off-loading one handed while being collared by her opposite number Karina Brown to Lavina Gould who scored.
Lavina O'Mealey gave the Roosters hope midway through the second half after spotting a rare gap in the Broncos defence to crash over under the posts.
However, the Roosters five-eight coughed up possession from the ensuing restart to hand momentum straight back to the Broncos.
Nati completed her hat-trick from the next play, placing the ball over the line after barging through the Roosters defensive line to seal a comprehensive victory.
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ABC .net
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