A rematch of the 2025 NRLW Grand Final takes centre stage at Accor Stadium, with the undefeated Sydney Roosters out for redemption against the reigning premiers. The Roosters have dominated the competition throughout 2026, but standing in their way is a Brisbane Broncos side packed with experience, star power and a proven ability to rise on the biggest stage.
Read Full Previews
- NRL Grand Final: Roosters vs Knights → roosters-vs-knights-grand-final-preview-2026
- NRLW Grand Final: Roosters vs Broncos → roosters-vs-broncos-nrlw-grand-final-preview-2026
Matchday Details
Sunday, 4 October 2026 – 4:00pm AEDT (3:00pm AEST) – Accor Stadium, Sydney
📺 Nine Network / Nine Now / Foxtel / Kayo
Referee: Belinda Sharpe | Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Sydney Roosters: 1. Corban Baxter, 2. Brydie Parker, 3. Jessica Sergis, 4. Isabelle Kelly (c), 5. Jayme Fressard, 6. Jocelyn Kelleher, 7. Tarryn Aiken, 8. Millie Elliott, 9. Keeley Nizza, 10. Otesa Pule, 11. Sariah Paki, 12. Jasmin Strange, 13. Olivia Kernick, 14. Taina Naividi, 15. Aliyah Nasio, 16. Rima Butler, 17. Amber Hall, 18. Mia Wood, 19. Taneisha Gray, 20. Nikiah Campbell, 21. Shawden Burton, 22. Keighley Simpson
Brisbane Broncos: 1. Tamika Upton (c), 2. Kerri Johnson, 3. Deleni Paitai, 4. Georgia Bartlett, 5. Julia Robinson, 6. Ali Brigginshaw, 7. Jesse Southwell, 8. Shannon Mato, 9. Jada Ferguson, 10. Brianna Clark, 11. Lauren Dam, 12. Romy Teitzel, 13. Lillian Yarrow, 14. Rhemy Hinckesman, 15. Chelsea Lenarduzzi, 16. Reegan Hicks, 17. Harlem Walker, 18. Caitlin Urwin, 19. Tara McGrath-West, 20. Linneke Gevers, 21. Breanna Eales, 22. Amanii Misa
Grand Final Snapshot
| Stat | Roosters | Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| Ladder Position | 1st | 3rd |
| 2026 Record (including finals) | 12-0 | 10-3 |
| Premierships | 2 | 4 |
| Last Premiership | 2024 | 2025 |
| Grand Final Appearances | 5 | 4 |
Match Preview
It’s déjà vu for the NRLW as the Sydney Roosters prepare to take on the Brisbane Broncos in the grand final for the second time in as many years.
Just as they were in 2025, the Roosters are aiming to complete the season undefeated. Unlike 2025, however, they go into the grand final with a near-clean bill of health. Jayme Fressard failed to finish the preliminary final due to a shoulder knock but has been named for the decider and will be given every chance to play. If she is unavailable, Taina Naividi will come onto the wing and Mia Wood will join the bench.
12 players will take the field who played in last year’s grand final, while Millie Elliott (maternity), Tarryn Aiken, Amber Hall and Naividi (all injured) will play on Sunday after being unavailable last year.
Brisbane played spoilers to the Roosters hopes of perfection in 2025 and they will be aiming to do the same in 2026. Coach Scott Prince has made no changes to the side that overpowered Gold Coast in last week’s preliminary final. The team contains nine players that won last year’s grand final, including Dally M Medallist Tamika Upton at fullback.
In 2025, the Roosters and Broncos were neck and neck as the top two teams. In 2026, the Roosters have blown away the field, scoring an average of 38 points per game and conceding just 10 as they’ve surged to 12 consecutive wins. The Broncos lost three games mid-season while Ali Brigginshaw was suspended, but have still scored an average of 30 points per game (second) and conceded 15 (fourth).
With the two most potent attacks in the NRLW, defence will be a key factor in winning this match. The Roosters have conceded more than two tries just twice all season while the Broncos have conceded more than that in six of their past eight.
The biggest head-to-head match-up is between halfbacks Tarryn Aiken and Jesse Southwell. Aiken has returned from her ACL rupture in style, scoring four tries, setting up 17 and assisting 20 line breaks. Southwell has been in strong form since joining the Broncos at the start of the season and has 11 try assists, 18 line-break assists and kicks for almost 250 metres per game.
The last meeting of the two teams saw the Roosters surge to a 34-20 win at Suncorp Stadium in round 7 after trailing 14-4 at half time. They ran riot on the right, scoring six tries on that side of the field as Brydie Parker and Jess Sergis combined for five tries, four line breaks and three try assists, with Amber Hall (one try, one line break, six tackle breaks) and Tarryn Aiken (three try assists, four tackle breaks and one line-break assist) also made their presence felt.
This will be the fourth meeting of the two teams in grand finals. The Broncos have won all three, including last year’s 22-18 result. The Broncos haven’t lost in Sydney since round 2, 2024. Roosters forward Amber Hall has won her last 25 consecutive NRLW matches.
This will be the final match for retiring players Millie Elliott, Corban Baxter and Ali Brigginshaw, who between them have won nine NRLW premierships and represented their states and country.
These two teams are near-impossible to separate. With redemption on their minds, the Roosters should win in a close one.
Prediction
RLZ Tip: Roosters by 2
Want to try your hand at writing match previews?
We’re always looking for new rugby league contributors to share their thoughts on upcoming NRL games.
No experience needed — just strong opinions and a love of the game
👉 Get started here
