The Sydney Roosters and Brisbane had comfortably been the best two sides in the NRLW this season as they brushed aside everyone before them to set up a blockbuster grand final.
The Chooks claimed the minor premiership after going through the campaign unbeaten, while the Broncos suffered just one defeat all year, which was against John Strange's side back in Round 3.
In the decider, the Broncos positioned themselves perfectly for their first premiership since 2020 when they jumped out to a 12-0 lead.
Scott Prince’s side had won 19 matches in a row when boasting a lead at half time, but this record appeared like it may crumble at the most inopportune time as the minor premiers fought back to wrestle the game from them.
However, the Broncos had the final say in the last few minutes as Mele Hufanga barged her way over for a trademark try as she proved to be the match-winner in an epic 22-18 tussle.
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Who won the Karyn Murphy Medal in NRLW decider?
Hufanga was deservedly awarded the Karyn Murphy Medal for being the best player on the pitch.
The centre’s barnstorming try was the perfect parting gift ahead of her return to New Zealand, as she finished with a game-high 199 run metres to go with two linebreaks, 17 tackle busts and her four-pointer.
The need for Hufanga's heroics seemed to be a long shot though as the first half slowly developed into Brisbane's favour.
They opened the scoring through Tamika Upton, who was fresh off her second Dally M Medal win earlier in the week, as she sliced her way through the defence off a scrum play.
It marked the fifth time this season that the fullback has opened the scoring for the Broncos and broke a stubborn deadlock that had descended over the decider through the opening 15 minutes or so.
The Broncos got their second shortly afterwards when Jada Ferguson, who had just been introduced off the bench, darted out of dummy-half to punish the Chooks’ sloppy work at marker.
Upton chopped down a surging Jessica Sergis early in the second period as the Roosters attempted to cut the deficit.
Despite getting the better of her fellow Jillaroos star, the No.1 was hurt in the play as she got up clutching at her leg.
Upton brushed away the trainers and carried on, yet she could do nothing to stop her opposite number, Brydie Parker, who streaked down the sideline to score.
Parker’s try proved to be a massive momentum changer as an error out of yardage then gifted the Roosters prime field position.
Eliza Lopamaua forced her way over to slam the ball down and lock up the scores and the Bunker ruled she had maintained contact of the pill following some hefty contact with the defence.
Mia Wood then got in on the act as the Roosters hit the lead for the first time following brilliant lead-up work from Sergis down the short-side.
The Broncos were suddenly all at sea due to the explosive eight-minute spell from the minor premiers.
They believed they had levelled the scores when Julia Robinson picked up a loose ball to race away and score. But it was chalked off by the Bunker for a knock-on from Ali Brigginshaw while she made a tackle.
The Broncos weren’t to be denied though as Rookie of the Year, Shalom Sauaso, crashed over from close range before Hufanga produced a highlight reel charge to hand Brisbane the premiership in the dying stages.