There will be battles fought across the park, but for Brisbane forward Keilee Joseph, the match-up against 2025 Dally M winner Olivia Kernick is ‘personal’.
The pair are Indigenous All Stars and Jillaroos team-mates, who are set to feature on the same team together in this year’s Pacific Championships for Australia.
However, for 70 minutes on Sunday, Joseph has the in-form Roosters forward leader in her sights, knowing how important shutting Kernick down will be for Brisbane’s chances of claiming a fourth title.
“I think we start strong, set the tone, I think that will give us the best shot to win the game,” Joseph said. “They definitely have got some strike players in there.
“I think for us, it's probably going to be shutting down Kernick and the big forwards and if we can do that, I think we can come away with the game.
“That's definitely my goal … I just want to be all over Kernick like a rash.
“I know that’s probably weird to say, but if we win that middle, we can win the game and I'm taking that personally.”
A former Rooster herself, the Broncos lock made her NRLW debut with the club in 2021 after featuring in their pathways, moving from Brisbane as a 17-year-old to play for the Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy.
However, after three seasons at the club, including winning the 2021 season premiership against the Dragons (played in early 2022 due to COVID), the Waterford Demons junior returned home to Queensland.
“I would be really, really excited if we can make that happen,” Joseph said of the goal of winning her second premiership, this time with her new team.
“This is a really special team we've got so far and it's never going to be the same again, so I just want to give it my all this weekend with the girls we have.”
Fellow forward Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala also knows how important the forward battle will be for her team’s chances of taking down the undefeated minor premiers, highlighting prop Rima Butler as one to watch.
“I know that they've got strike in the middle, Rima's having a really good season so far, so I know it'll be tough for us, but we're always up for a challenge.”
Last time they met: Roosters v Broncos
Nu'uausala, who has spent the past four season with the Broncos after stints with both the Warriors in their inaugural season and later the Knights, also had another special motivation to secure her first premiership title.
Older brother Frank-Paul Nu'uausala won the 2013 NRL grand final with the Roosters and is going to be one of a number of supporters in her corner on grand final day.
“I've got my partner coming through; he moved over with me from New Zealand last year, so that I can make myself better for the Broncos,” Nu'uausala said.
“And then my brother, who was also in the NRL; he's already won a grand final with the Roosters.
“He'll be there. It’s a lot of pressure having him there, but he always says to me, ‘just play your game’.
“At the end of the day, we could be the first brother, sister duo to both get our ring, so we'll see.”
Match: Roosters v Broncos
Grand Final -
home Team
Roosters
1st Position
away Team
Broncos
2nd Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
