Eels knock Broncos out of NRLW finals with emphatic win
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Parramatta have knocked the Broncos out of NRLW finals contention and booked their own spot with an impressive 28-16 victory at Central Coast Stadium on Sunday.
The Broncos trailed 16-6 midway through the second half before striking twice through Hayley Maddick and Ali Brigginshaw to tie the game.
But it was the Eels who rose to the occasion in the final 15 minutes through tries to Simaima Taufa and Kennedy Cherrington to likely book themselves a finals berth that appeared unlikely after an 0-4 start to the season.
For the Broncos, it caps a disappointing campaign with just one win from five matches this season.
The Eels got out of the blocks early for a 10-0 lead through tries to Tiana Penitani and Ellie Johnston before the Broncos got on the board via Shenae Ciesiolka.
A no try ruling against Emily Bass, who failed to ground the ball on the left edge, gave the Eels a reprieve as the Broncos struggled with their completions in the opening half.
Cherrington puts electric Eels into the top 4
Parramatta extended their lead to eight on the stroke of half-time with a bullet pass from Ash Quinlan allowing Zali Fay to get on the outside of Julia Robinson to cross in the corner.
The Eels opted for a penalty goal through Tayla Preston to extend their lead by 10 in the second half before the Broncos jagged a try back through a rampaging effort from Amber Hall, who found Maddick in support.
An effort from Brigginshaw to finish off a Tarryn Aiken kick levelled the match before the Eels ran away with the result late.
Match: Broncos v Eels
Round 5 -
home Team
Broncos
5th Position
away Team
Eels
4th Position
Venue: Central Coast Stadium, Gosford
Match snapshot
- Eels co-captain Tiana Penitani left the field in the first half with a quad concern shortly after her try and did not return.
- Parramatta are set to play finals for the first time pending the result of the Titans-Roosters match.
- Kennedy Cherrington scored the first try of her NRLW career to seal the result in the 66th minute of the match.
- The Eels had 60% of possession for the match, completing at 80% compared to Brisbane's 71%.
- The Broncos missed 39 tackles in the defeat.
- Broncos fullback Hayley Maddick scored the first try of her NRLW career in the loss.
- It was the first time the Eels have beaten the Broncos in NRLW history.
Play of the game
Simaima Taufa produced another captain's knock throughout the match, particularly with the game on the line late to charge over from close range.
It was backed up by Kennedy Cherrington who did similiar shortly after to seal the win.
Try for Taufa
What they said
"[I'm] devastated, we know we're better, we were out enthused by a team that wanted to win more than us, that's why it hurts so much, we put so much into sacrifices to be here today, and we put in a performance like that. We feel so disappointed for all our fans watching. With an extended season, you could afford to lose a couple of games and come back and put together team performances... with the longer season, and more training, I think we'll be able to (hit back). It hurts but we'll learn from it." - Broncos captain Ali Brigginshaw.
"We're definitely really happy with the result. That performance out there, everyone who watches women rugby league, to see what we were under and the season we've had and how testing its been, can see the real grit, determination and toughness. I don't really care [we've only won one game to make the finals], if they've done the job I don't really care. That's just external stuff. We know our performances this season have been worthy of getting another opportunity against these top teams." - Eels coach Dean Widders.
NRLW Press Conference: Broncos v Eels - Round 5, 2022
What's next
The Eels jag fourth spot and set up a showdown with the Roosters in the NRLW semi-finals at Suncorp Stadium next weekend.
The Broncos' season is over for the first time in NRLW history, they won't contest for the title after the regular rounds. Many of Brisbane's players may be available for the Australian Prime Minister's XIII match played after the semi finals.
