Heavyweights do battle once again in epic NRLW decider

Annabelle Banfield | October 3, 2026

It’s a rematch for the ages in the NRLW grand final, with Brisbane on a quest to win back-to-back titles while striving to once again spoil an undefeated Sydney Roosters season.

The two heavyweights faced off in the 2025 decider when the Broncos triumphed with a hard-fought 22-18 win, handing the Roosters their only loss of the year.

Twelve months later, the Tricolours head into the decider after another stellar unbeaten season, eager to finish what they’ve started.

It may feel like deja vu but Broncos coach Scott Prince is not relying on an exact repeat, shrugging that “last year was last year.”

“It’s a totally different year, totally different team, and totally different situation,” Prince declared.

“We’ve got experienced players who have moved on to opposition teams and we’ve unearthed some youngsters who’ve come through and brought some enthusiasm to our squad.

“Roosters are a fantastic team, they’ve been dominating the league for the last few years and I know they will reflect on last year and make corrections themselves.”

Last year the Roosters were five minutes away from the perfect season before the Broncos scored a decisive final try.

Yet the Sydney coach John Strange is choosing not to trump up the game as a revenge affair for his team.

“We dealt with the loss last year pretty quickly after the game,” the Roosters coach said.

“From the start of pre-season it’s just getting back to work and trying to be better than last year. Whether you win the grand final or not, you just want to keep improving.”

Brisbane, the most successful NRLW club in history, are hunting a record-extending fifth premiership, but it hasn’t been a typically smooth-sailing season for the premiers.

Last year they suffered just the one regular-season loss, to the Roosters, but this year they’ve been beaten on three occasions.

“We got challenged a lot this year with regards to the three losses, we were put in a bit of chaos and with that you really find out what sort of character you have in your footy team,” the Brisbane coach said.

Not that added motivation is needed for a grand final, but both teams want to send out their retiring trailblazers of the sport as champions.

For the Broncos, 2020 Dally M medallist Ali Brigginshaw is playing for one final victory.

Not to be outdone, the Roosters have a retiring Dally M medallist of their own in Millie Elliott, who took out the 2022 gong, as well as instrumental fullback Corban Baxter.

Brisbane’s captain Tamika Upton has just been awarded her third Dally M and was full of praise for the legacy the three retirees will leave behind.

“The thing that stands out most about the three players is in years gone by the onus has been on the player in Women’s Rugby League, there’s a lot of time off and you pretty much have to get yourself ready,” Upton said.

“These three women have been incredible, on the top of their game for the last nine years and that is pretty hard to do.”