NRLW finals live updates: Broncos run riot in semi final over ‘disappointing’ Knights

Ali Brigginshaw couldn’t wipe the smile off her face after the Brisbane Broncos’ victory in front of their home crowd.

After announcing last year that she will retire at the end of the 2026 season, Brigginshaw’s games are limited but with the victory in Brisbane, she and the team now head down to the Gold Coast to take on the Titans.

“Yeah, I just don’t want it to end. Driving to the club today I just thought I don’t want this to end so I’m going to give it everything,” she said on Nine.

“We really turned it on and I’m just so proud of how we were able to perform today. Finals bring a different beast and I thought we played really well today.”

Speaking after the game, star Romy Tietzel admitted the Broncos victory was one for the crowd and for the team.

“I look a bit worse for wear but it was a big game for us today. We’re trying to find some form in the back end of the season,” said Teitzel on Nine.

“This meant a lot to us to play in front of a really big crowd. Brisbane shows up for us week in week out, probably the biggest crowd we get at NRLW games and we heard them today and we had a lot to play for.

“Briggo’s out here on (her) last legs and we want to do her proud, but we have a great team, we know that we have great potential and we just wanted to show that today.”

Teitzel had a double in the first half and spoke to Nine with her head wrapped up in tape after two head knocks in the game.

“I dunno what it is with the finals,” she laughed.

“I split my head open in the semi last year and in the grand final as well and then I got two today so, bit worse for wear but I’m sure Dave Donaghy will pay for the plastic surgery.

“Can’t wait to fix my head.”

And that’s the end and the Brisbane Broncos are headed to a preliminary finals next week, after a 40-16 victory over the Newcastle Knights.

Even though the Knights had back to back tries through Sidney Taylor to make it 16 points for the visitors - it wasn’t enough.

The Broncos will take on the Gold Coast Titans in a Queensland Derby.

For the Knights, their resurgence at half time is not enough. But still worth it.

They get another try, this time through Shanice Parker who battles out Broncos defenders to the try line.

“The Knights are winning the second half,” said Brenton Speed on Nine.

Romy Teitzel has taken another head knock, this time from teammate Chelsea Lenarduzzi and is bleeding from her eyebrow.

“Romy...has she hurt herself again? That’s the second head knock for Romy and that ones over the eyebrow,” said Ferguson.

There are finally some points on the board for the Newcastle Knights after Mercedez Taulelei-Siala scores.

After Kirra Dibb converts, the score hits 40-6.

After, the Knights have a successful captain’s challenge after they are penalised for their play-the-ball and the Bunker finds interference. 

This is not looking good for the Newcastle Knights. Brisbane doesn’t wait long and Bri Clark powers her way over the line and after another great kick from Southwell, the score blows out to 40-0.

“Really did not expect this from the Knights, they’ve been a very dominant team this year,” said Ferguson on Nine.

“Impressive and disappointing,” she said of the game tonight with the Knights’ display.

Well that didn’t take long!

Ali Brigginshaw crashes over the line, but she is ruled to have knocked on under the posts in her attempt to ground the ball.

The Knights get a much-needed reprieve as the try is denied.

It was six unanswered tries in the first half for the Brisbane Broncos in front of their home crowd as Georgia Bartlett beats out the Newcastle Knights defenders to chase an Upton chip and get the ball down.

Southwell misses her first of the evening to keep the score 34-0.

They have not let their foot off the pedal and the Knights have been left stunned as the half time siren sounds.

Brisbane will have some injury concern for lock Bree Spreadborough after the player limps off the field with a suspected ankle injury.

She left the bench on crutches and is now down in the shed, an early analysis is that she may have a syndesmosis injury.