In a thrilling display of skill and determination, veteran fullback Sarah Thompson led her team to a convincing 25-16 victory over Newcastle, securing a spot in the championship final against Cronulla. After a stunning upset in the first semi-final, where Cronulla shut out minor premiers Brisbane 14-0, the Roosters dominated the first half, showcasing their attacking prowess at Allianz Stadium on Sunday.
The team’s fortunes had finally turned around, with three key players – Rachel Wilson, Emily Johnson, and captain Sophia Lee – declared fit to play after being doubtful due to injury. This marked a welcome change for the side, which had finished in the top two but fallen short in the semi-finals for the past two seasons.
Coach Rachel Stevens reflected on the team’s past disappointments, saying, “I didn’t want to see my players suffer through another heartbreaking loss. As a coach, it’s my responsibility to ensure we learn from our mistakes and come back stronger.”
Thompson, who came out of retirement to fill the gap left by injured regular No.1 Rachel Patel, proved to be a game-changer. Her clever runs and angles left Newcastle’s defense struggling to keep up, as she broke eight tackles, made three line-breaks, and scored two tries.
The Roosters were already ahead thanks to tries from scrum-half Olivia Brown and winger Ava Martin before Thompson’s late first-half brace sealed the deal. Wilson’s inclusion was a significant boost, as she set up two tries and made three line-breaks, including a late field-goal.
Newcastle fought back through five-eighth Charlotte Hall, but their forward pack was outmatched by the Roosters’ dominant performance. The Knights’ late tries from teenage second-rower Lily Taylor and hooker Ava Jenkins were too little, too late.
Before they can celebrate their second title, the Roosters will need to overcome Cronulla’s formidable defense, which recently shut out the high-scoring Broncos for the first time in their seven-year history. The Sharks’ impressive defensive display at Langlands Park nullified the Broncos’ attacking might, despite being the competition’s top-scoring side.
Cronulla’s Tiana Walker was unstoppable, running for 160 meters and opening the scoring after an offload from teammate Isabella Holmes. Her centre partner, Annessa Bishop, powered her way over shortly after halftime, and a cut-out pass from five-eighth Georgia Harrison sent winger Cassie Saunders in for a try to secure the win.
The Sharks withstood a late Brisbane surge, sparking jubilant scenes as they celebrated their first grand final appearance in their second season in the league. The win snapped a three-match losing streak for Cronulla, while the Broncos were left to lament their third straight semi-final defeat.
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