Tears flow on both sides as three NRLW pioneers bow out
Updated . First published at
NRLW pioneers Millie Elliott and Corban Baxter have received the perfect farewell after the Sydney Roosters produced a dominant performance in the grand final, flogging the Broncos 30-6 to cap off a brilliant undefeated season.
The two veterans announced last month that the 2026 campaign would be their last and there couldn’t have been a better way to cap off two amazing careers.
Millie Elliott celebrates with her Roosters teammates. NRL Images
On the other side of the field, it was a bitter end for Broncos star Ali Brigginshaw, who broke down in the post-game press conference.
Scott Prince immediately jumped in as Brigginshaw struggled to speak.
“Ali’s in a different situation, it’s her last game and at some point as players you get to this point where the good times are over as far as football,” he said.
“She needs to hold her head up high. There’s so many good things to be proud of, not only as a footy player but as a person. She’s a bloody legend, she’s a special person – it’s not the way you want to finish, but that’s football.”
Tamika Upton said the retiring veteran would be “irreplaceable” for the club.
There were similar emotions post-game for Roosters captain Isabelle Kelly, who was choked up and shed tears when asked about her departing teammates in Elliott and Baxter, who will retire with another premiership.
“It makes me very emotional, to be honest ... shit, sorry,” a tearful Kelly said.
“I’ve had to put the emotions aside this week, I think a lot of us have. I learned so much off Corbs when she was captain, she was my best friend as soon as I came into rugby league. She was my roomie and she took me in with open arms.
“Millie is the ultimate mate you could ever ask for. She’s always there whenever you need her and she will always have your back.
“It’s gonna be tough and so weird rocking up next year and these two aren’t here, but the magnitude of what these girls have done for the game is more than I can ever put into words. We love them so much, they’re always gonna be Roosters.”
Things started poorly for the Roosters when winger Jayme Fressard tried to trap the opening kick-off with her foot and the ball ricocheted over the sideline, giving the Broncos an immediate opportunity in good field position.
Brisbane failed to capitalise on the early chance, and it was one-way traffic for John Strange’s team from then on as they claimed a third NRLW title.
Jocelyn Kelleher placed a perfect cross-field kick to Brydie Parker for the opening try after just four minutes, starting a clinical opening 35 minutes.
Brydie Parker celebrates a try. Getty Images
The kick-off wobbles continued for the Roosters as the ball was allowed to roll dead, but again the Broncos failed to make the most of the opportunity.
An error-riddled opening period continued when Tamika Upton collided with teammate Julia Robinson in a disastrous moment.
Upton was livid in the aftermath and was spotted screaming at Robinson, summing up where the Broncos were at for most of the contest.
“I didn’t see either of those two players speak in that replay ... that is just poor communication,” Allana Ferguson said on Nine.
Tarryn Aiken extended the lead for the Tricolours when she tried to chip kick it close to the line and caught a rebound from a Broncos player.
The star halfback then put captain Kelly through a gap as the Roosters ran riot in the opening half at sun-baked Accor Stadium.
Fressard and Parker kept the momentum rolling, before Aiken continued to show her class and set up a rampaging Amber Hall for the side’s sixth try.
“Everybody has been saying it’s a two-horse race, well, it’s a one-horse race today,” Phil Gould said as both teams left the field for half-time.
Tarryn Aiken was on fire in the NRLW decider. SMH
Whatever head coach Scott Prince said to the Broncos at the break didn’t work, as Brianna Clark coughed it up just three plays into the second half.
Jessica Sergis was denied a try after a desperate Brisbane try-saving tackle, but it did little to spark any signs of a comeback as Parker completed her hat-trick with 14 minutes to go and from there, another Roosters’ triumph was inevitable.
Upton scored a late consolation try for the Broncos, but it was too little too late.
The scoreline could have been much uglier for the hapless Broncos, if not for Kelleher missing six of her seven conversions on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking immediately after the full-time siren, Elliott was overcome with emotion as her time in the NRLW officially ended in the best way possible.
“I feel amazing. I love this team so much, they really deserve this ... it’s really special to go out on a win,” the 28-year-old told Nine.
“Thank you to everybody for being there for me – the Broncos were the first team to give me an opportunity. I wouldn’t be here without them and also the Knights.
“I’ve had an incredible career but it’s only thanks to those people along the way who made it what it is.”
Ali Brigginshaw during her final game. Getty
Post-match, it came as no surprise when Aiken’s name was read out as the Karyn Murphy Medal winner, having laid on two try assists and scoring one herself.
The heavy loss for Brisbane also marked the end of Ali Brigginshaw’s stellar career in the women’s game, as the veteran bowed out in disappointing fashion.
“I was trying to keep it together ... but the Roosters played to perfection,” the champion playmaker said on Nine after the match.
“I am just really proud of the girls, I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else. I know it sucks losing, but I am really proud of this group and the year we had.
“I’ve had a really fun time with the girls, but I’m glad I get to go and have a few drinks with them and end my career.”
