Veteran fullback Sam Bremner has starred to guide the Sydney Roosters to a 25-16 win over Newcastle and lock in an NRLW grand remaining look in opposition to Cronulla.
After the Sharks surprised minor premiers Brisbane 14-0 within the first semifinal, the Roosters placed on a first-half clinic as they blitzed the Knights at Sydney Soccer Stadium on Sunday.
The Roosters have been hit by damage this season however lastly loved a dose of fine fortune, with in-doubt trio Tarryn Aiken, Jess Sergis and captain Isabelle Kelly declared match to play.
It was a optimistic omen for the facet, who have been third time fortunate after falling on the identical stage within the final two seasons.
They do have grand remaining expertise, nonetheless, after successful the premiership within the 2021 season and ending runner-up in 2018 and 2020.
Bremner, who was coaxed out of retirement when common fullback Corban Baxter ruptured her ACL days earlier than the season kicked off, is ready to affix St George Illawarra in an off-field function subsequent season however ran rings round her youthful opponents.
The 32-year-old’s angling runs off the within of Aiken tormented Newcastle’s left edge, making eight deal with busts and three line-breaks and scoring two tries.
The Roosters have been already within the lead by way of tries to Keeley Davis and Brydie Parker earlier than Bremner’s late first-half brace blew the double-reigning premiers out of the competition.
Aiken’s inclusion was a boon for the Roosters, establishing two tries and three line-breaks in addition to a late field-goal.
She instantly made her presence identified at five-eighth, launching a cut-out go over the stranded Abigail Roache and Tenika Willison to arrange Parker — who she had displaced onto the wing — for the opener.
The Knights struck again by way of five-eighth Georgia Roche however in any other case struggled to make an affect of their attacking 20.
Their ahead pack got here out second-best, with the formidable Olivia Kernick successful the battle of the second-rowers in opposition to Newcastle’s Yasmin Clydsdale.
Late tries to teenage second-rower Evah McEwen and hooker Olivia Higgins raised Newcastle’s spirits however have been too little, too late for Ben Jeffries’s facet.
Sharks upset Broncos
The Sharks outclassed the Broncos with three tries within the grand remaining qualifier. (AAP: Dave Hunt)
The Sharks have reached their first NRLW grand remaining in simply their second yr within the competitors.
The Broncos’ intimidating assault was nullified by a sensational defensive show from the Sharks at Brisbane’s Langlands Park.
It was the primary time the Broncos have been saved scoreless of their seven-year NRLW historical past.
The outcome was the Sharks’ first win over the Broncos within the NRLW.
Brisbane was dealt a blow earlier than kick-off with second-rower Romy Teitzel — the NRLW’s prime scorer within the home-and-away season — dominated out after sustaining a hip damage within the final-round win over St George Illawarra.
The Sharks weren’t showered in attacking alternatives however made the many of the probabilities they received in opposition to the Broncos, who appeared flat and uncharacteristically error-prone.
Captain Tiana Penitani was unstoppable bringing the ball out from the again for Cronulla.
The highly effective centre ran for 160 metres and opened the scoring with a attempt within the thirteenth minute after an offload from Talei Holmes.
Tayla Preston added the conversion to ascertain a 6-0 lead, which the Sharks took into half-time.
Penitani’s centre accomplice on the alternative edge, Annessa Biddle, powered her means over early within the second half to increase Cronulla’s lead.
The strong-running 22-year-old leads the competitors for post-tackle metres by a substantial margin.
A attempt to winger Cassie Staples wrapped up the match with 12 minutes to go after a cut-out go by spectacular five-eighth Georgia Hannaway.
AAP
