Courage not enough for gallant Roosters
HEARTBROKEN Sydney Roosters captain Simaima Taufa fought back tears after the NRLW grand final as the reality of going down in the inaugural decider sunk in.
The Brisbane Broncos dominated the three rounds of competition and they dominated the final, taking the historic first premiership back to the Queensland capital after a thorough 34-12 victory.
It was a bruising game, played with grand final grit, and the Roosters knew they would need their best game and a full 60-minute performance to win. In the end they could only go with the Broncos for 15 minutes.
Scores were level at 6-6 before the Broncos laid on two quick tries, first through Heather Ballinger. The second was the hardest blow – a penalty try after winger Taleena Simon dislodged the ball from Kimiora Nati using her foot, sustaining an ankle sprain in the process.
They went on to tally 28 first-half points and from there it was about rallying for the Roosters and ensuring they didn’t give up.
“Just not giving up and making the jersey proud,” an emotional Taufa said. “Digging in and working for each other.”
Broncos five-eighth Kimiora Nati scored a hat-trick of tries and took the Karyn Murphy Medal for player of the match in the process. She opened the scoring for the Broncos, then she claimed the penalty one 13 minutes later. Her third was the Broncos’ only four-pointer for the second half.