Two heavyweights will collide in the NRLW grand final when the Sydney Roosters take on the Brisbane Broncos.
John Strange’s side boasts an unbeaten record this year, brushing aside all before them on their way to the minor premiership.
However, the Broncos have remained hot on their heels and will be seeking to end the Chooks’ title reign while claiming their first premiership since 2020, when they beat the Roosters in a decider.
The Sporting News delivers its predictions and best bets for the grand final in the NRLW below — all odds per bookmaker Sportsbet.
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Who will win NRLW grand final between the Roosters and Broncos?
These two sides met all the way back in Round 3 when the Roosters emerged with a 30-26 win in Brisbane.
The visitors got away to a rapid start in the fixture, scoring three tries inside the opening 10 minutes.
Jasmin Strange touched down just two minutes into the clash, before Taina Naividi and Otesa Pule also got in on the act.
Tamika Upton’s quickfire double got the Broncos back in the game, yet they were ultimately unable to match their opponents on that day.
It proved to be the only defeat they would suffer for the rest of the season to date.
Brisbane will be gunning for revenge in the grand final and will be confident of flipping the script.
The Chooks suffered a catastrophic blow to their premiership hopes in Round 11 as Tarryn Aiken went down with an ACL injury.
Despite going on to batter the Sharks on that night and then edging them 17-16 in a preliminary final, their attack has understandably been impacted by the loss of their star playmaker.
On the other hand, the Broncos looked impressive during the first half of their prelim win over Newcastle as they notched four tries in the first 25 minutes to ease into an unassailable lead.
The Queensland outfit is the favourite heading into this one and are expected to have just a little bit too much for the Chooks on the big stage.
PREDICTION: Broncos by 8 points
Who will score the first try in the NRLW grand final?
Three names come up regularly for the Broncos when it comes to scoring the first try for their club.
Jada Ferguson has crossed for the first time twice, while Hayley Maddick has achieved the feat three times so far this campaign.
Meanwhile, Upton has crossed for the first four-pointer for Brisbane on four occasions this year.
Scott Prince’s side always tends to get off to a quick start and will be looking to do so once again in the decider, with both Maddick and Ferguson available at enticing odds.
BET: Hayley Maddick first tryscorer ($12.00)
Same game multi in Roosters vs. Broncos match
In an ideal world, the NRLW decider will turn out to be a shootout between the two best teams in the league.
If that is what happens, a host of strike players will be looking to get in on the action.
Upton’s prowess in attack has already been mentioned and the No.1 has a habit for scoring during the opening exchanges as well as in multiples.
She just about pipped Julia Robinson for the Dally M Medal earlier during the week and the powerful centre will also pose a major threat in the GF.
She has scored at least one four-pointer in all but one of her last eight games.
Meanwhile, Jayme Fressard has been a reliable tryscorer for the Roosters ever since returning from injury in the second half of the season.
The winger has scored four tries in her last four appearances.
Jessica Sergis hasn’t scored for the past two matches, yet she remains a massive threat out on an edge.
After a relatively slow start to the campaign, the centre warmed into things and she went on a recent run where she scored a glut of four-pointers.
From Round 5 to Round 10, she crossed the stripe eight times, with three doubles within that streak.
BET: Tamika Upton 1st, 2nd or 3rd try scorer, Julia Robinson anytime try scorer, Jayme Fressard or Jessica Sergis to score a try ($12.00)
Who will win the Karyn Murphy Medal?
Upton is the resounding favourite to pick up the Player of the Match award on Sunday afternoon.
The reigning Dally M Medal winner is in red-hot touch, scoring in her last five matches.
During this run, she has bagged four tries in a rout of Canterbury, a hat-trick against North Queensland, as well as a double against New Zealand.
It’s easy to see why the game’s undisputed best player is at such a short price to pick up the Karyn Murphy Medal.
However, if the Roosters are to win and maintain their unbeaten campaign, captain Isabelle Kelly could be a solid pick.
The centre was at her barnstorming best against Cronulla in the prelims, providing a try assist, making a linebreak and running for 187 run metres.
Kelly topped the game’s metre count the last time these two sides clashed, while she also busted through three tackles and made a linebreak during the win.
BET: Tamika Upton to win the Karyn Murphy Medal ($2.88)