As it happened: Back-to-back Broncos hold off desperate Sharks

Press conferences

Full-time: The Broncos hold off a relentless Cronulla side to make it two straight to begin the 2026 season. Alongside a star performance from Tamika Upton, Lauren Dam also stood tall for the winning side, laying a match-high 38 tackles. Meanwhile, Cronulla centre Annessa Biddle was a shining light for the home side with 161 run metres, including 91 of which were post-contact.

69 min: Brigginshaw shuts down an attacking raid after stripping the ball. After a successful captain's challenge for an illegal steal, the Sharks get one more opportunity with eight seconds on the clock but the Broncos' defence holds firm to hold on 22-16. 

68 min: A Kiria-Ratu high ball forces an uncharacteristic error from Upton and Cronulla have a golden opportunity to level the scores.

65 min: Back-to-back errors and penalties from Cronulla give the Broncos several opportunities in the red zone but the visitors come up with some great scramble defence.

61 min: Brisbane hit the front again after Penitani Grey is penalised for a high tackle and Upton makes it a hat-trick, combining with Southwell to find space from close range. Broncos 22-16.

53 min: The Broncos level the scores after Southwell finds the space left by Penitani Grey after shooting up off the line and goes long to Julia Robinson to score. Southwell misses the conversion. 16-16

50 min: Desperate to halt the Sharks momentum, the Broncos launch a captain's challenge for a knock on but the bunker rules there was no touch from Cronulla.

45 min: Cronulla have all the momentum and Chantay Kiria-Ratu puts the visitors in front when she goes to the line and dummies her way through several Brisbane defenders. Sharks 16-12.

39 min: Byers replacement Jaydika Tafua makes an immediate impact after coming on the field, crashing over from close range for her first NRLW try. Broncos 12-10.

37 min: The Sharks earn a repeat set in the red zone however it comes at a cost with Byers leaving the field with a possible shoulder injury. She is ruled out for the rest of the match. 

Half-time: The Broncos had 59 per cent of possession and completed 18 of 21 sets (85 per cent) while the Sharks could only manage 11 of 16 sets at 68 per cent. Upton led the way with two tries, 92 run metres and two tackle breaks. Shannon Mato made plenty of impact off the bench, running 85 metres with the ball, 44 of which were post contact. The Sharks came up with 16 missed tackles and six penalties in the first 35 minutes.

30 min: The Broncos continue to threaten the line and Upton shrugs off a rushing Penitani Gray to make it a first-half double. Broncos 12-4.

27 min: The Broncos get a repeat set in close range but the Sharks' goal-line defence holds firm.

26 min: Brisbane forward Rhemy Hinckesman left the field for a HIA for which she was later ruled out for.

18 min: A Brigginshaw penalty for slowing down the ruck gives the Sharks a shot and the home side shift the ball right and winger Georgia Ravics grabs Cronulla's first try. Broncos 6-4.

13 min: The Broncos threaten the Sharks' line again but Rhiannon Byers comes up with a one-on-one steal to get possession for the Sharks.

10 min: Another mistake from Cronulla invites Brisbane into the red zone and an Ali Brigginshaw chip in behind the ruck sets up Tamika Upton to ground the ball inches before the dead ball line. Broncos 6-0.

7 min: The Broncos march downfield after back-to-back penalties against Tiana Penitani Gray and Caitlan Johnston-Green but the visitors still can't convert opportunity into points.

3 min: Both sides get through their opening sets before Broncos playmaker Jesse Southwell puts in a towering kick but the Sharks' defence holds firm.

Late Mail

Sharks: Back-rower China Polata has dropped out on game day and been replaced by Rhiannon Byers. The new player on the bench is Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu while Jacinta Carter is 18th player. Captain Tiana Penitani Gray has overcome a knee injury and lines up for career game No.49 in the centres. A milestone for prop Ellie Johnston as she reaches 50 NRLW games, six years after debuting at the Dragons as a teenager. 

Broncos: The premiers are 1-17 with no late changes. Winger Kerri Johnson has scored six tries her last four NRLW games and will look to continue that run as part of an unchanged line-up that heads to Cronulla on the back of a 50-4 thumping of the Cowboys. 

Numbers Game

• The Sharks have won three of their last four games at Ocean Protect Stadium.
• The Broncos have won three of their four games against the Sharks.
• Sharks prop Ellie Johnston will make her 50th NRLW appearance.
• Broncos winger Kerri Johnson has scored six tries her last four NRLW games.