Ali Brigginshaw's retirement and NRLW grand final between Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos

Consensus Summary

The NRLW grand final between the Sydney Roosters and Brisbane Broncos marks the retirement of Ali Brigginshaw, a pioneer of women’s rugby league who has played 66 NRLW games and 29 matches for Australia. The match, scheduled for 4pm AEDT on Sunday, is her final game after two decades with the Broncos, where she has won four premierships and is aiming for a fifth. The Roosters, unbeaten for more than two years, seek redemption after last year’s grand final defeat to Brisbane, while the Broncos look to defend their title with a team that includes star halfback Jesse Southwell and captain Tamika Upton, who won the Dally M women’s player of the year award this week.

Brigginshaw’s career began at the age of 10, and she has been a cornerstone of the NRLW since its inception in 2018, alongside teammates Julia Robinson and Chelsea Lenarduzzi, who are also retiring. The Broncos have rebuilt their team after losing eight players from last year’s grand final side, but their systems and culture remain strong. Meanwhile, the Roosters have returned key players like Millie Elliott, who missed last season on maternity leave, and Tarryn Aiken, who has been instrumental this year with the most linebreak assists in the competition. The grand final also serves as an audition for the Jillaroos’ World Cup squad.

Brigginshaw has called for greater investment in the women’s game, including the appointment of a dedicated head of women’s football under the $5.3bn broadcast deal announced this year. She emphasized that the NRLW should not simply follow the men’s competition but instead carve its own path. Her retirement has sparked discussions about naming an award in her honor, reflecting her legacy as a leader and pioneer. Both the Broncos and Roosters have paid tribute to her contributions, with coach Scott Prince praising her impact and Roosters captain Isabelle Kelly highlighting her humility and influence on younger players.

While both sources agree on the core details of Brigginshaw’s retirement and the grand final, the ABC provides additional context about her personal journey, including her age (38) and her determination to prove herself at this stage of her career. The Guardian, however, focuses more on the broader implications for the NRLW, such as the need for a separate chief executive and the retirements of other key players like Elliott and Baxter. The ABC also highlights Brigginshaw’s role in the Broncos’ preliminary final victory over Gold Coast, while the Guardian delves into the Roosters’ recent form and the challenges faced by Elliott in balancing motherhood with her football career.

The grand final is expected to be a emotional and historic event, with both teams aiming to make their mark on the NRLW’s future. Brigginshaw’s final press conference underscored her commitment to leaving the game on a high note, while also advocating for structural changes to support women’s rugby league. The outcome of the match will not only determine the premiership but also set the tone for the next chapter of the competition, as both teams look to build on their success and honor the legacy of players like Brigginshaw, who have shaped the game over the past two decades.