Almanac Rugby League – NRLW 2021 Grand Final preview: Dragons v Roosters

 

 

For the first time in its four year history, this Sunday’s NRLW Grand Final will not feature the Brisbane Broncos after their shock loss to the Sydney Roosters in Sunday’s semi-final. Although it will be played at Redcliffe’s Moreton Daily Stadium, the final will be an all-Sydney affair when the St George Illawarra Dragons meet the Sydney Roosters.

 

In the semi-finals, the Dragons were pretty much in control throughout their clash with the Gold Coast Titans, notwithstanding an early try to the Titans by veteran Steph Hancock. After that the Dragons always looked the more likely team as they got out to a 10-6 halftime lead and extended it to 24-6 by the hour mark before conceding two late tries to run out 24-18 winners. The Dragons weren’t at their best but did more than enough to win, the prime objective in any semi-final. They’ll have to lift their game if they want to hoist the trophy this weekend. The Titans were their own worst enemies with a low completion rate and 12 penalties conceded. They can, however, be consoled in that they made the finals in their first ever season and will go into the 2022 competition later in the year with the experience gained and the knowledge that they can mix it with the Broncos, Dragons and Roosters. For their sake, I hope that Hancock saddles up one more time as her experience is a major factor in their progress.

 

The Broncos shot out to a 16-0 lead to be ahead of the clock and looked like running away with things against the Roosters. But, to their great credit, the Roosters dug deep, held their line and countered with an enthusiastic style and a determined effort not yet seen this season to get the game back to 16-10 at the break and with momentum going their way. The Broncos, by comparison, looked out of ideas and out of petrol as they spent the last 50 minutes of the game defending grimly and, ultimately, unsuccessfully. For the first time I can recall, the Broncos were beaten in the middle of the field and seemed to have no Plan B to counter the blanketing defence of the Roosters. Consequently, the likes of Brigginshaw, Aiken and Upton had neither time nor space to weave their spell. This was the game the Roosters always had in them and it came at just the right time. Their forwards were stronger, straighter and more mobile, paving the way for halves McGregor and Temara to utilise the speed and power of Kelly and Sergis who have waited six games to be given such room to move. There may have been some doubt about Joseph’s score-levelling try but the Sydneysiders deserved their win based on the overall flow of the game.

 

Now on to the Grand Final at Moreton Daily Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The Dragons have been the most consistent side this season, even if they haven’t always played to their full potential. They made uncharacteristic errors in their semi-final and their combinations were just a bit clunky. But, at their best, they have the personnel, the game and the leadership of Kezie Apps to guide them through the final. Rachael Pearson has been a real find at halfback, Emma Tonegato is my tip for player of the year and Madison Bartlett knows her way to the try line. The Dragons will carry the burden of favouritism into the game as well as their own great expectations after such a positive season.

 

The Roosters were lucky to make the finals and are now just 70 minutes away from the title. The questions for them will be whether or not they used up too much fuel in their win over the Broncos and whether or not they can repeat the whole team performance that got them to the final. Have their forwards finally found the mobility and strength of straight-line running needed to establish forward momentum to then unleash the undoubted quality of their numbers 1-7? McGregor and Temara are understated but very classy in the halves while Sergis and Kelly are the form centres of the competition. After the first fifteen minutes, their defence against Brisbane was first rate. It all adds up to a pretty formidable side.

 

Although I’m disappointed that the Broncos won’t be there on Sunday, I’m looking forward to what I think will be  as exciting game. Both teams have solid forward packs, good attacking weapons in their back lines, and strong defensive lines. And I have a gut feeling that we’re in for a fairytale finish to the season with the Roosters to come out on top after barely scraping into the finals.

 

 

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Our writers are independent contributors. The opinions expressed in their articles are their own. They are not the views, nor do they reflect the views, of Malarkey Publications.

 

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