Sydney Roosters reach NRLW final after victory over Canberra — ABC News Australia

Australian club Sydney Roosters defeated Canberra Raiders 20:10 in the preliminary final of the women’s National Rugby League, NRLW, in Sydney and advanced to the tournament’s decider. The team continued its perfect season, having won all 11 matches in the regular championship.

As ABC News Australia reports, the Roosters will play in the NRLW grand final for the third consecutive time. In the decider on October 4, the Sydney club will face the winner of the clash between Gold Coast and Brisbane.

First-half advantage

The Roosters opened the scoring in the second minute, when winger Jayme Fressard, who had missed three matches with an arm injury, finished an attack after a pass from captain Isabelle Kelly. Later, prop Rima Butler scored her team’s second try after a penalty was awarded against Raiders fullback Sherridan Gallagher. After Jocelyn Kelleher’s conversion, the score was 10:0.

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Canberra responded late in the first half. Crystal Blackwell, who briefly left the field because of a nosebleed, returned wearing the number 25 jersey and scored a try in the 32nd minute. The teams went into halftime with the score at 10:4.

Aiken’s decisive try

In the second half, centre Jessica Sergis capitalised on an opponents’ error following a Kelleher kick and scored her 17th try of the season, extending the Roosters’ lead to 16:4. The Raiders reduced the deficit through a try by English player Hollie-Mae Dodd after a short pass from Shante Temara, making it 16:10.

Late in the match, Canberra retained a chance to level the score, but halfback Tarryn Aiken made a scoring break to the try line and set the final score. Aiken missed last year’s final due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament in her knee. Last year, the Roosters lost to Brisbane in the decider, while they had previously won NRLW titles in 2021 and 2024.