Broncos relishing underdog status in race for NRLW glory

Brisbane captain Tamika Upton has declared her team can defend the NRLW premiership from outside the top two as the Broncos look to send retiring legend Ali Brigginshaw out with another title. 

Upton was joined in Sydney by the five other captains in the top six for the official series launch, with the Roosters quickly emerging as the team to beat. 

The Titans have been tipped as the side most likely to knock off the minor premiers, however the Broncos are riding a wave of emotion in Brigginshaw's final season.

Brisbane finished the 2025 regular season in second place before going on to upset the Roosters in an epic decider. While they dropped out of the top two this year, Upton remains confident her side can navigate a more challenging path to the grand final. 

"It's different this year but that's because we've got a very different team," Upton told NRL.com. "If you look at the grand final team from last year there are seven or eight players who aren't there. 

"We knew that coming into the season and we've had a lot of challenges but also a lot of lessons this year for some of the girls. I've been impressed with how fast some of our players have come in and learned but finals is a different ball game now."

The Wests Tigers and Raiders will kick off the finals with a sudden-death semi-final at Campbelltown Sports Stadium on Friday night. 

History will be made when the sides run out for the match with both teams contesting their maiden finals series. 

Brisbane will then host Newcastle at Totally Workwear Stadium on Saturday night in a rematch of last year's preliminary final. 

The winner of Friday's match will play the Roosters, while either the Broncos or Knights will take on the Titans next weekend.

Gold Coast have been the big improvers this season, former sevens star Teagan Levi helping turn the side into genuine title contenders. 

While many are expecting a Titans-Roosters grand final, captain Georgia Hale said her side's current focus is on next week's preliminary final. 

"When you turn the corner into finals footy, everybody's a product of what they've done over the last few rounds," Hale said. "Finals footy is about out-enthusing, out-energising the opposition and wanting it more. 

"There comes a time where you'll be in the trenches and desperation and grittiness is needed. In the last few rounds we've been building to that and found ourselves in moments that have tested us and challenged us. 

"We're embracing this challenge, our first job is the preliminary final and then hopefully we're there on grand final day."

The Roosters enter the finals on the back of a second-straight undefeated regular season and are the clear competition favourites.

Representative players are spread right across the park, from centres Jess Sergis and Isabelle Kelly to halfback Tarryn Aiken and star lock Olivia Kernick. 

The pain of last year's grand final defeat remains fresh in their minds, however, and Kelly said they are eager to put those lessons into practice throughout the next month. 

"Finals are a different breed of footy," Kelly said. "It's a whole new level compared to the round games. We saw in the NRL finals last weekend how much those teams went to another level. 

"It's exciting to be part of, it's do or die and that can add to the pressure of finals footy. We're excited to rip into training this week and then see who we're up against next weekend."

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