Roosters reach third straight NRLW grand final after defeating Raiders
The Sydney Roosters have secured a place in the NRLW grand final with a 20-10 preliminary-final win over the Canberra Raiders. The Roosters, who have won every game this season, will face either Gold Coast or Brisbane in the decider as they seek to recover from last year’s grand-final defeat and claim a third premiership.
The Sydney Roosters have reached their third consecutive NRLW grand final after defeating the Canberra Raiders 20-10 in the preliminary final at Sydney Football Stadium. The Roosters, who won all 11 of their regular-season matches, led 10-4 at half-time and held off a late Canberra challenge to secure their place in next Sunday’s decider. They will play either Gold Coast or Brisbane, who are scheduled to meet in the other preliminary final.
The home side made a fast start when winger Jayme Fressard scored in the second minute after receiving a pass from captain Isabelle Kelly. Prop Rima Butler then crossed after a penalty against Raiders fullback Sheridan Gallagher, with Jocelyn Kelleher’s conversion extending the lead to 10-0. Canberra responded shortly before half-time through Krystal Blackwell.
The five-eighth, who had briefly left the field for treatment to a bloody nose, returned in a replacement jersey and ran through a gap created by Zahara Temara to score. The Roosters restored control in the second half. A swirling kick from Kelleher was allowed to bounce, allowing centre Jessica Sergis to score her 17th try of the season and make it 16-4.
Sergis later produced a one-on-one steal as the Raiders attempted to attack. Canberra reduced the deficit when England international Hollie-Mae Dodd broke through from a short pass by Chante Temara, bringing the score to 16-10. The Raiders could not complete the comeback, however, as halfback Tarryn Aiken sealed the Roosters’ victory with a late try.
The Roosters are seeking to respond to their defeat by the Brisbane Broncos in last year’s final. They have previously won NRLW premierships in 2021 and 2024.
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