NRLW finals RECAP: Invincible season rages on as Roosters book grand final spot

Thanks for following our live coverage of tonight’s NRLW preliminary final.

The undefeated Roosters advance to the grand final with a hard-fought 20-10 win over the Raiders, who lost no admirers in a brave performance.

We’ll be back tomorrow for the Broncos vs Titans preliminary final, before the men’s grand final qualifier between the Panthers and Knights.

Krystal Blackwell couldn’t have done much more tonight and was a bloody mess at full time as she spoke to Nine’s Marlee Silva.

“It was a tough game, we were definitely in it in parts and we probably let ourselves down in parts as well,” the Raiders five-eighth said.

“That’s footy unfortunately, I’m proud of the girls and we’ve had a great season, everyone gave it their all today and it’s just unlucky.

“I broke my nose earlier in the season and copped Amber Hall’s head. It hasn’t stopped, but that’s OK ... I didn’t wanna let the girls down.”

Blackwell was forced off to change her jersey late in the first half due to the blood pouring from her nose, but returned with the No.25 on her back to score a try.

Roosters enforcer Olivia Kernick has lifted the lid on what was said behind the goalposts after Canberra came within six points of them tonight.

When the underdog Raiders scored in the second half through Holli-Mae Dodd, it looked set up for a grandstand finish, before late tries to Jess Sergis and Tarryn Aiken sealed the result and sent the Tricolours into a decider.

Kernick admitted there were some nervy and tense moments.

“Lots of swear words I reckon back there,” she told Nine post-game.

“We’ve trained really hard and tried to push past the hurt point this pre-season and all throughout the year. The girls really came together and got it done.

“I’m just relieved - that was one of the hardest games we’ve played this year. Canberra always give it to us, they’ve got a really great pack.

“They just keep coming and coming, that’s what makes them such a great team … that was a really tough game for us.”

Aiken calls game!

The superstar Roosters halfback darts over from close range, sweeping behind a lead run from Elliott and sending her side into the grand final.

“Aiken ices it – she missed out on the grand final 12 months ago in heartbreaking fashion, but she’ll be there in 2026,” Brenton Speed said on Nine.

The clock is working against the Raiders now.

Temara puts up a mid-field bomb on last tackle, but her teammates fail to reel it in and Naividi races away for some easy metres.

Sergis then gets tangled up in an awkward tackle and screams out in pain.

Badger blows a penalty for a hip-drop, but Sergis is cleared to continue after a quick check from the Roosters’ trainer.

Hold the phone!

Chante Temara double pumps and throws a nice crash pass to Dodd, who crashes over under the sticks and the Raiders are back in this one.

Roosters lead 16-10 with less than 10 minutes to go in the prelim final.

“It’s game on now,” Paul Gallen said on Nine.

Elliott is pinged for a high tackle, inviting the Raiders into the red zone.

“They have to take this opportunity,” Brenton Speed said on Nine.

Spoiler alert – the Raiders didn’t take the opportunity, with Sergis coming up with a clutch one-on-one strip to bail the Roosters out of trouble.

12 minutes to go and the Chooks lead by two converted tries.

Cometh the hour, cometh the superstar!

Sergis cleans up a loose ball after the Raiders make the cardinal sin of allowing a kick to bounce and the Roosters centre races away to score untouched.

Big moment in this game as the Chooks take a 16-4 lead.

Moments later, the unbeaten Roosters go on the attack again and Kelly looks destined to score, before an ankle-tap from Blackwell saves the day.

High shot from Kernick is let go by referee Badger, despite replays showing the Roosters forward clocked Tufuga in the face.

“They got away with one there,” Ruan Sims said on Nine.

Boyle nearly muscles her way over from close range for the Raiders.

Badger says it’s a no try, but the decision goes upstairs to Bunker official Liam Kennedy for review, with no conclusive evidence to overturn it.

Plenty of Roosters defenders in the frame holding the ball up.

“Desperation at its best,” Allana Ferguson said on Nine.

Sergis charges out of her own end and gets a penalty, taking the quick tap and picking up another 15 or so metres into Raiders’ territory.

“The ill-discipline can’t continue for the Green Machine,” Ruan Sims said on Nine.

Naividi is tackled over the sideline and throws the ball back in to a Raiders player, but referee Badger blows a penalty for a second effort.

Canberra hold on in defence, saving a couple of tries with sheer desperation.

Bit of concern for Kelleher, who is limping around with strapping on her leg, while teammate Fressard is off for the Roosters with a shoulder injury.