As the ARLC weighs up a return to daytime grand finals for the NRL, the women’s competition could be forced to rethink its own showcase fixture.
The NRLW decider currently kicks off at 4 pm, slotted between the State Championship and the men’s Grand Final, but that timeslot could vanish under the new broadcast proposal.
Players say they enjoy the current format, but many are open to revisiting the standalone grand final model after the success of 2022, when the Roosters beat the Dragons in front of more than 7,000 fans at a packed Redcliffe.
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Players welcome change, but want atmosphere to stay strong
“When we played that grand final, it was pretty special,” Roosters captain Isabelle Kelly said. “For it to be uniquely about the two women’s teams that were there and to have a lot of people there to support us was huge, and the atmosphere was incredible. But we also like playing on Sunday in the big crowd and having everyone there to support us.”
Broncos skipper Ali Brigginshaw agreed that visibility on the men’s grand final day had its benefits but stressed the importance of building the women’s audience on its own terms.
“We’re building our fans and I think it’s really important that everyone comes down to watch the women’s game beforehand, not just to come for the men’s game,” she said.
Roosters coach John Strange echoed those sentiments, suggesting smaller, full stadiums could capture the spirit of the women’s game. “I’m happy to keep it as it is, but I’d also be keen to go standalone in a smaller stadium so you get that atmosphere and a capacity crowd,” he said.