'It's got that Qld-NSW rivalry': NRLW GF likened to Origin

Ali Brigginshaw played down the Wally Lewis-type reception she received when introduced at the NRL Fan Fest in Sydney, but the Queensland great admitted there was a State of Origin feeling about Sunday’s NRLW grand final.

Brigginshaw, who is considered a future Hall of Famer, is one of eight Maroons in the Brisbane team, while the Roosters boast six members of the victorious Blues team, along with coach John Strange.

“I think it is going to be a great match up,” Brigginshaw said. “With so many representative players, they have got big game performances and big game experience.

“The Roosters have got a lot of strike through the middle but then their outside backs are also strong, as are my forward pack and my outside backs.

“I think both sides are quite balanced so it is going to be interesting, and will come down to moments.”

Asked about the overwhelming support for the Roosters when players from the two clubs were introduced to the crowd, Brigginshaw said: “I heard some cheers … but it has got a bit of a Queensland-NSW rivalry about it, that’s for sure”.

The Roosters are unbeaten in 12 matches this season and have won 18 in a row, while the only loss incurred by the Broncos was a 30-26 defeat by the 2024 premiers in Round 3.

Strange described last weekend’s 17-16 semi-final win against the Sharks as feeling like a loss, and the Roosters are without superstar halfback Tarryn Aiken after the 2024 Golden Boot winner ruptured her ACL three weeks ago.

Yet in true Queensland fashion, Broncos coach Scott Prince – the former Maroons halfback who helped Wests Tigers to the 2005 NRL premiership – claimed underdog status.

“They are undefeated, they’ve won 18 games,” he said.

Prince then outlined why the Broncos can win.

“I guess when you look back at Round 2, we are a totally different team in regards to the way we play and more so with our defence,” he said.

“Everyone talks about our attack but over the course of the past month the highest points that were scored against us was 12 so that is something we pride ourselves on. We know we have the attack to score points but it is more around our ‘D’.

“If you cast your mind back to Round 3 against the Roosters, they got off to a great start and that is what they are renowned to do; they like to blow teams off the park early and they pride themselves on it.

“They use their power and strength through the middle, and they have got Isabelle Kelly and Jess Sergis on an edge. That’s where they try to destroy you.

“We understand what’s coming this Sunday. I am sure they are going to bring their A-game, just like us and then it comes down to whoever has got the will to make those plays and those moments.”

The Broncos won the first three NRLW grand finals when the competition involved just four teams, but they haven’t beaten the Roosters since the 2021 decider, played in early 2022 because of COVID.

However, Strange said past results would mean nothing in the grand final and also said his players couldn’t afford to focus on trying to complete a perfect season.

“Every venture I take on I just want to do the best I can as a coach and help the players achieve what they want to achieve – whether it is an Origin series or a premiership,” Strange said.

“I am just really glad it us two teams in the grand final if I am an independent fan, because I think we have been the two most consistent teams and I think it is going to be the game we all want to see.”