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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Megan Maurice

NRLW grand final 2024: Sydney Roosters beat Cronulla Sharks – as it happened

Sharks NRLW Roosters Cronulla Cronulla Sharks Sydney Roosters Sydney
Sydney Roosters have beaten Cronulla Sharks 32-28 in the 2024 NRLW grand final at Accor Stadium. Follow live reaction from the women’s rugby league premiership decider
Sydney Roosters have beaten Cronulla Sharks 32-28 in the 2024 NRLW grand final at Accor Stadium. Follow live reaction from the women’s rugby league premiership decider. Photograph: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Summary

How exactly can I summarise that game? Early on, it looked like we were in for a tight match, before the Roosters completely broke it open and dominated the first half. The Sharks looked absolutely down and out, I think we all really doubted their ability to come back from a first half performance like that. But to their enormous credit, they played a sensational second half and nearly came away with a premiership. Emma Tonegato and Tiana Penitani took the lead, with Ellie Johnston and Holli Wheeler putting on enormous pressure in the front row and Tayla Preston keeping things ticking over with her pinpoint accurate kicks.

But in the end, the Roosters recovered from their shell shock to make important decisions at key times – the penalty goal in the 52nd minute was probably the key moment of the match, as that buffer proved to be vital when the Sharks scored with two minutes remaining.

Importantly, the win gave Bremner a well-deserved fairytale ending and puts Elliott up with the great Glenn Lazarus as the only two players to win premierships with three different clubs. It has been an absolute treat of rugby league so far today, so I’m looking forward to seeing if the NRLM grand final can live up to the excitement served up by the other two games. That match doesn’t kick off until 7:30pm, but you can enjoy the build up right now, with Jonathan Howcroft.

I’ll leave you there, but thanks for spending the afternoon with me and witnessing that incredible game! So long and happy rugby league Christmas!!

Updated

There was so much excitement in that game, I think it’s pretty clear you need to go back and re-live a lot of those moments. Fortunately the fabulous Jack Snape has you covered from live at the ground with a match report that encapsulates all the thrills of the game.

The St Clair Comets Junior Rugby League Club get the honour of presenting the Roosters with their premiership rings. Isabelle Kelly comes to the mic to make her premiership speech.

“I…want to thank the Sharks girls. I believe that you girls individually have all inspired so many young girls in the next generation to play Rugby League. What you’ve been able to do in your second season is incredible. So thank you so much for really tough game today. To my girls, to Strangey and our coaching staff, the whole Roosters club, I love what we built here. I think we’ve built something really special. This was our time to shine. Everyone individually was outstanding this season. The girls that didn’t get to play today got us to where we needed to be. Thank you everybody for turning up. Thank you to the fans. Let’s go and have some fun, hey.”

Tiana Penitani takes the stage to give her runners’ up speech.

“Look how far how game has come in the last how many years. The game is in the best place it’s ever been. I’m so proud to be part of this game…I want to thank Strangy, Izzy and the Roosters. You guys have been placed the benchmark all season. So many of you as individuals are changing this game and aspiring a new generation. And lastly, to my staff, Tony, Herman, Crossy, Isaac, all of our staff, the club, thank you so much for believing in us. And giving us all the opportunities that we have. I’m so proud. And to my girls, everyone wrote us off. We had absolutely no right to come back in that second-half. I’m so proud of the season that we’ve had. So proud of you girls. I wouldn’t want to win or lose with any other team of girls. I love you guys. Congrats Chooks.”

Karyn Murphy Medallist: Tarryn Aiken

Aiken controlled the game this afternoon, so no surprise that she comes away with the player of the match medal. She looks a little surprised as she comes up to receive it though! She keeps her speech short and sweet.

“I’d like to say I’m honoured to receive this award named after Murph. I’d like to say thank you to Sharky girls. You were unreal today. You had incredible season…to my girls I couldn’t ask for better teammates. So glad to get it done. Thank you.”

Updated

I don’t feel like words can do justice to this Johnston try, so it’s definitely one worth watching if you didn’t get a chance to see it happen!

Emma Tonegato is disappointed that the Sharks couldn’t finish with the premiership, but she’s proud of the effort they put in.

“It’s hard to come back with a deficit like that that and to get that close. So proud of the girls. Congratulations to the Roosters. They’ve been a great team all year. Well-deserved for them. Couldn’t be prouder of my Sharkies.”

Full-time: Roosters 32-28 Sharks

The Sharks threw everything at that final set after deciding not to take the conversion attempt, but the Roosters held them out to take the win by four points. Tiana Davison pounced on a loose ball from an offload attempt to seal the premiership for the Roosters.

TRY! Roosters 32-28 Sharks (Penitani, 68)

Desperation gets them over the line, after a six again call on the last tackle and the captain makes the dive over the line. They’ve given up their conversion attempt for another go at the try line.

Updated

68 mins: The Sharks are seeing this match slip away now, after giving themselves some hope to cling to with a sensational second half performance. They put up a short kick off an get an attacking set to give themselves a chance.

GOAL! Roosters 32-24 Sharks

The extra two points provides an important buffer with less than three minutes left on the clock.

TRY! Roosters 30-24 Sharks (Kernick, 66)

A frenetic finish to the Roosters’ set, putting the ball through hands on the fifth, with Hall making a break, getting the ball away to Aiken and a desperate play for the line. The Sharks got a hand on it before it went dead, so the Roosters get another set. Hall goes close to the line, but is held out, before Kernick throws a sensational dummy that fools everyone and goes over for the Roosters’ first try this half.

Updated

64 mins: The Sharks are on the front foot and what a comeback this has been! Preston puts up a big kick to finish the set, but it’s too big and goes dead in goal for a Roosters’ seven tackle set, releasing all the pressure the Sharks were building.

GOAL! Roosters 26-24 Sharks

Another simple shot for Preston and she makes no mistake.

TRY! Roosters 26-22 Sharks (Johnston, 61)

The Roosters are ruled to knock the ball on. They challenge, but there’s no evidence to support overruling the on field decision. The Sharks get another chance close to the line and Johnston makes a strong spin over the line.

Updated

60 mins: The Sharks need to stand strong in defence now and they manage to do just that. With some good pressure on Kelleher’s kick, the ball goes dead in goal and the Sharks get a seven tackle set to try to close this gap even further.

58 mins: Wheeler looks like scoring, but Hall puts on a HUGE hit to put a stop to that. The Sharks can’t score, but an error from the Roosters soon after gives them the scrum feed and another set in good position. The Sharks get a penalty midway through the set, but the Roosters have put in a captain’s challenge. The challenge is successful and the Roosters get a scrum feed.

56 mins: An error in the play the ball from Parker gives the ball straight back to the Sharks – Parker loses her bearings and plays the ball sideways, which looks very strange! The Sharks get an opportunity to start a set within the Roosters’ half.

55 mins: Hall looks to spark something for the Roosters to bring them back into this game, and she makes a mini break through the middle, but the Sharks manage to bring her down. Kelleher puts up another excellent bomb, but Staples takes it so strongly and holds her ground right on the sideline. Preston puts in a brilliant searching kick to end their set, forcing the Roosters to start deep in their own territory.

PENALTY GOAL! Roosters 26-18 Sharks

Kelleher makes that kick look easy and gives the Roosters a little bit of breathing room as the Sharks keep coming at them.

52 mins: An exciting period of play has closed the gap between these teams – I would LOVE to know what was said the Sharks shed at half time. It must have been one hell of a speech to turn their game around. However an unnecessary penalty offers the Roosters a buffer and slows their momentum.

GOAL! Roosters 24-18 Sharks

Another accurate kick from Preston and this game is getting very exciting now!

TRY! Roosters 24-16 Sharks (Hannaway, 48)

Well, a very exciting set with lots of fast hands from the Sharks and attacking dominance from Tonegato sets up yet another try and Cronulla is right back in this game!

48 mins: A good kick from Preston ends the Sharks’ set and it almost looks like they may force a repeat set, but the experience of Bremner gets the Roosters out of trouble as she shadows the ball over the dead ball line and gets her side a seven tackle set. They make their way down the field, but Bremner can’t quite get her pass away and the knock on gives the Sharks a scrum feed.

46 mins: There is a lot more belief shining out of the Sharks now and they are looking much more dangerous. Tonegato makes another mini break and the Roosters are not looking quite so comfortable.

GOAL! Roosters 24-12 Sharks

An easy attempt for Preston and she nails it.

TRY! Roosters 24-10 Sharks (Dodd, 43)

A silly penalty from the Roosters – putting a hit on a player without the ball – gives the Sharks the field position they’ve been looking for. Tonegato is brilliant in finding the space, losing the defenders and putting in a deft little pass to Dodd who crosses the line.

Updated

43 mins: The Roosters have been able to control the speed of the ruck and haven’t allowed the Sharks to get quick play the balls and that last set was no exception. The Roosters again drive down the field – there is no panic from them yet, despite the Sharks hitting the scoreboard. Kelleher puts up another great kick, but Ravics is up to the challenge.

41 mins: The Sharks look up and about after scoring, but a silly error in the play the ball hands the ball back to the Roosters deep in Sharks’ territory. Tonegato puts strong pressure on and forces a rare error from Aiken and the Sharks get back on the attack.

GOAL! Roosters 24-6 Sharks

Preston’s kick looks great, hits the upright and bounces back over the post to add the two points.

TRY! Roosters 24-4 Sharks (Penitani, 38)

The Sharks get a penalty early in the set, to give them some much-needed field position. Penitani gets within a couple of metres of the tryline before the Sharks nearly cough the ball up, but recover to make another run at the line and on her second attempt, Penitani is able to use her footwork to step around the defence and score.

Updated

37 mins: The Sharks have a bit of spark in their first set of the second half, powering down the field to be able to put in an attacking kick, but Bremner fields it to keep them off the scoreboard. The Roosters play a conservative set, keeping the pressure on.

The Roosters kick off and here we go!

The teams are getting back out on the field and the second half is almost underway. Can the Sharks bring things back, or are we in for more Roosters dominance?

And this Jess Sergis special on the stroke of half time tore out the last shreds of hope from hearts all over Cronulla.

This try from Parker epitomised the Sharks’ defensive woes.

There was a LOT going on in that half, so let’s re-live some of those tries. First up, we had Dally M winner Kernick getting things underway for the Roosters.

Half-time: Roosters 24-0 Sharks

Well, what a half! I can safely say that was not what I was expecting leading into the game, or even after the first few minutes. The Roosters have been absolutely dominant and the Sharks do not seem to have any answers to their attack. There will be some tough conversations had in the sheds for them and teams have certainly turned scores like this around in the past, but it will take a lot to really dig deep and find massive improvements in attack and defence. The Roosters will be delighted with their first half, but they are not a team to rest on their laurels. They’ll be pushing for more points in the second half and the Sharks will have a fight on their hands.

Updated

GOAL! Roosters 24-0 Sharks

Finally Kelleher gets a shot in front and she easily knocks it over.

TRY! Roosters 22-0 Sharks (Sergis, 35)

On the stroke of half-time, the Roosters can’t resist adding more points – this time it’s Sergis with a strong run after a fifth tackle pass.

Updated

34 mins: A good, pressure-building set from the Roosters is followed by another attempt by the Sharks to get down the field, but they can’t get themselves into position to score and it looks like they may have to head to the sheds scoreless.

32 mins: Finally something falls the Sharks’ way, with Preston’s kick bouncing in the in goal and brushing Bremner’s hand before going dead in goal. The Sharks are in the best attacking position they’ve had in quite some time and they’re desperate for some points. Tonegato tries her best to set something up, but Staples can’t hold it and it’s back to the Roosters.

30 mins: Again Kelleher can’t add the two points – her team really needs to give her a break and stop scoring in the corner. In all seriousness, the Roosters have been basically flawless, playing beautiful rugby league and there’s not much the Sharks can do to stop them right now. Even when they get a set, every metre is a struggle through the tough Roosters’ defence.

TRY! Roosters 18-0 Sharks (Parker, 27)

A double for Brydie Parker! Off the back of that penalty, the Roosters galivanted back down field and created the two-on-one on the right and a fantastic pass from Aiken sets up the try.

Updated

26 mins: Staples makes a strong take under Kelleher’s kick this time, which should provide her with a bit more confidence. The Sharks finally get a set in attack, but they can only manage a 34m gain. They put up a decent kick, but Byers is penalised for a crusher tackle and the Roosters get a piggyback down the field to start their next set.

24 mins: Kelleher has had two tough conversion attempts from either sideline, so she Roosters hasn’t been able to add the extra points either time. The Sharks need to find a way back into this game, they’re currently looking quite fatigued in defence and the Roosters don’t look like they’re finished coming at them just yet. They are dominating possession right now.

TRY! Roosters 14-0 Sharks (Parker, 22)

Fressard makes a mini break, but the Sharks rally well enough to bring her down on the halfway line. Staples makes another error in attempting to take the kick and the Roosters come up with it close to the line once again. They get it out to Parker on the right and she dives over for another four points.

Updated

TRY! Roosters 10-0 Sharks (Fressard, 19)

Another Sharks error, another Roosters try. Aiken set this one up brilliantly, creating space on the left and getting the ball out there quickly for an easy try for Fressard.

Updated

18 mins: The Roosters have a spring in their step after that opening try and continue their relentless march down the middle of the field before going wide late in the set. Another fantastic kick from Kelleher forces an error from Staples, who drops it and the Roosters have another scrum feed very close to the line.

GOAL! Roosters 6-0 Sharks

Kelleher adds the extra two points with a simple kick.

TRY! Roosters 4-0 Sharks (Kernick, 16)

A knock on by the Sharks on their own 20m line gives the Roosters their best attacking position so far in this game. Hall gets very close and it takes three defenders to bring her down, which gives the Roosters the opportunity to swing it to the right and Dally M medallist Olivia Kernick crashes over.

Updated

14 mins: The Roosters make an uncharacteristic error, looking to have miscounted their tackles and finishing the set with an innocuous run at the defenders before having to hand the ball over. A HUGE tackle from Hall early in the Sharks’ set sparks some excitement in the Roosters’ camp – lets see what it can lead to for them. The Sharks have made an early interchange, with the experienced Holli Wheeler coming on in the front row.

12 mins: The sun is across half the field at the moment, which makes things quite challenging for both teams, as it becomes easy to lose the ball. The Sharks aren’t able to take advantage of the repeat set, giving away an offside penalty early in the set.

10 mins: It feels like this game is about to break open one way or another – both teams have come close to scoring and whoever manages the first points will take a huge mental advantage in the game. An attacking kick from the Sharks looks like it might yield points, but they manage to get a repeat set out of it at least.

8 mins: A beautiful, spiralling kick from Kelleher almost leads to the first points of the match, but Tonegato lets it bounce and a chasing Bremner nearly gets to it before it crosses the dead ball line. She gets a little touch on it, which is a get out of jail free card for the Sharks, as it gives them a seven tackle set to try to get further into Roosters’ territory than they’ve managed so far. A huge run by Ravics almost gets them over the try line, but a tackle by Bremner saves the day before a knock on by the Sharks.

6 mins: Kelleher mixes things up with a pass on the fifth tackle instead of a kick, but unfortunately Kernick couldn’t hold on to it and the Sharks get the scrum feed. The Sharks get just into the Roosters’ territory and put up a good kick, but the Roosters are on top of it and begin their march back up the field, continuing to push hard through the middle.

4 mins: The Roosters are following a settled game plan, with strong contact from the forwards up the middle early in this game. Another great kick from Kelleher and the Sharks can’t field this one, but they manage to knock it back and Tonegato turns it into an opportunity, finding some space for Penitani, but Aiken takes her down. The Roosters play another good set and no one has stamped their dominance on this match just yet.

Updated

2 mins: Strong defence from the kick off from the Sharks – they are the competition’s best defensive team, so will look to take advantage of that today. A good kick from the Roosters’ Kelleher to finish the set, but Tonegato takes it easily, despite the sun in her eyes. Each team settles the nerves with a completed set to start the game.

The Sharks have kicked off and we’re underway!

A quick interview with Roosters’ coach John Strange before we get underway – his final message to the team was to play for each other. The teams are heading down the tunnel now and emerging out to on the field. The crowd is quite scattered, but I’d expect it to build during the game.

Kick off is only minutes away, so now is the time to pick your bandwagon if you’re not a follower of either of these clubs. There is glitz and glamour in both camps, so it really depends on whether you want to support the underdogs in the Sharks or the established Roosters. Get on board now, grab your sky blue or your tricolore and get ready to cheer the house down!

Updated

While the Roosters have history on their side – and that drive for Bremner’s fairytale ending – the Sharks will be desperate to spoil the party. They burst into this season with a surprising run of form, that shocked experts and tipsters across the competition. They have a lot of firepower, most notably through fullback Emma Tonegato – an Olympic gold medallist in rugby sevens. Captain Tiana Penitani also adds a great deal of attacking smarts and speed. The Roosters remain the favourites, but the Sharks have the ability to cause the upset.

The Roosters’ Sammy Bremner is retiring after today’s game – what a trailblazer she has been for women’s rugby league. Not just on the field, but also helping pave the way for women to return to the sport after having children. Bremner has achieved a lot in the game, but she has yet to win a premiership, so she is hoping to finish with a fairytale ending today. It’s not something granted to many players, but Bremner will leave nothing out there in her pursuit of that trophy.

A little bit of pre-match entertainment happening now – it’s strangely low key, with a very small stage on the 10m line where Coterie is playing Slice of Heaven.

It’s been 25 years of rugby league grand finals at Stadium Australia – I was at the very first one, back in 1999. I will opt to say nothing about the result of that game, but it felt pretty cool to be in that crowd. The stadium was in its Olympic configuration back then, so there were just under 108,000 people in and it was loud and intense.

We’re under 30 mins until kick off now – which team will add their name to this trophy?

The State Championship grand final, between NSW Cup winners the Newtown Jets and Queensland Cup winners Norths Devils, has just wrapped up and it was the Devils who took it in a thriller, winning 20-18.

Only one player in NRLM/W history has won premierships with three different clubs before – Glenn Lazarus, who won with Canberra, Brisbane and Melbourne. But the Roosters’ Millie Elliott has a chance to join Lazarus in that exclusive club today, having previously won premierships with Brisbane and Newcastle.

Team List: Sydney Roosters

1. Samantha Bremner

2. Jayme Fressard

3. Jessica Sergis

4. Isabelle Kelly (c)

5. Brydie Parker

6. Jocelyn Kelleher

7. Tarryn Aiken

8. Millie Elliott

9. Keeley Davis

10. Otesa Pule

11. Amber Hall

12. Olivia Kernick

13. Tiana Davison

Interchange

14. Tavarna Papalii

15. Jasmin Strange

16. Samantha Economos

17. Pani Hopoate

Reserve

18. Mia Wood

Team List: Cronulla Sharks

1. Emma Tonegato

2. Cassie Staples

3. Tiana Penitani (c)

4. Annessa Biddle

5. Georgia Ravics

6. Georgia Hannaway

7. Tayla Preston

8. Ellie Johnston

9. Quincy Dodd

17. Tegan Dymock

11. Talei Holmes

12. Rhiannon Byers

13. Brooke Anderson

Interchange

10. Holli Wheeler

14. Filomina Hanisi

15. Manilita Takapautolo

16. Vanessa Foliaki

Reserve

18. Nakia Davis-Welsh

While you’re waiting for the game, if you’re not too enthralled with the close battle in the NSW Cup v Queensland Cup grand final, you can read this great preview from our reporter Jack Snape!

Sydney has put on a classic beach day for the battle of these two beachside teams. But will it be Icebergs or Northies partying tonight? It’s not too much longer until we find out!

Preamble

Hello and welcome to women’s rugby league Christmas! There’s so much to look forward to in today’s game – both teams are fielding exciting line ups with stars as far as the eye can see. Will it be the Sydney Roosters walking away with their second premiership, or can (relatively) new kids on the block Cronulla take it in their first attempt? The experienced Roosters are the favourites, but the Sharks came out of the blocks firing this season and if they can hold on to some of that form, they’re in with a great shot.

When the two teams last met, it was the Roosters with a huge win – defeating the Sharks 40-0, but I wouldn’t expect the Sharks to just roll over and accept their fate, they will have learnt a lot from that disappointing loss and will be prepared to play things very differently in this meeting.

After a bumper year for women’s rugby league, featuring the first ever three game State of Origin series, which broke crowd records off the field and delivered an incredible amount of excitement on the field, this game will draw plenty of attention. With two more teams joining the competition in 2025, the talent will again be drawn in different directions as the new teams look to build their rosters and secure experienced players. Both these teams know this is their best chance to win a premiership before their stars are lured elsewhere, so expect plenty of heart and passion on the field as they give it their all to make sure that happens.

I’m sensing a classic game of hard-fought rugby league is coming our way this afternoon and I can’t wait. Let’s get into it!

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