Perennial powerhouse the Roosters will go up against the Sharks in a grand final nobody was predicting before the season kicked off.
While the Roosters always have high hopes of playing for premiership and will this year will feature in their fourth decider in seven seasons, Cronulla have been the surprise packet of the year, making the grand final in just their second season in the competition.
The Sharks surged into contention after they posted six straight wins, but leading into last week's semi final against the Broncos, they had lost their last three games.
NRLW SportsBet Betting Preview - Roosters v Sharks
However, they stunned the minor premiers to hold them scoreless for the first time in their history, winning their way to another face off against the Roosters who showed their class in their victory over the Knights.
The last time the Roosters and Sharks clashed in Round 7, it was a one-sided affair with the Chooks proving far to strong, but Cronulla will be determined to put in a much bigger fight and produce a performance fitting of the big stage.
Match: Roosters v Sharks
Grand Final -
home Team
Roosters
2nd Position
away Team
Sharks
4th Position
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Team News
Roosters: One change to the starting side, with superstar centre Jess Sergis starting after her injury return via the interchange last week. Jasmin Strange will move to the bench. Tarryn Aiken, who was a late starter wearing the 20 jersey in the win over the Knights has been named at halfback. Mia Wood, who moved to 18th player following the team reshuffle last week, is again the replacement player. There are no late changes an hour out from the game with Mya Hill-Moana dropping from the extended reserves.
Sharks: A late switch on game day, with experienced prop Holli Wheeler to the bench and Tegan Dymock to start. Nakia Davis-Welsh is the replacement player in the number 19 jersey.
Match: Roosters v Sharks
Grand Final -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Sharks
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Samantha BremnerFullback for Sharks is number 1 Emma Tonegato
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Jayme FressardWinger for Sharks is number 2 Cassie Staples
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Centre for Roosters is number 3 Jessica SergisCentre for Sharks is number 3 Tiana Penitani
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle KellyCentre for Sharks is number 4 Annessa Biddle
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Winger for Roosters is number 5 Brydie ParkerWinger for Sharks is number 5 Georgia Ravics
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Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Jocelyn KelleherFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Georgia Hannaway
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Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Tarryn AikenHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Tayla Preston
Forwards
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Prop for Roosters is number 8 Millie ElliottProp for Sharks is number 8 Ellie Johnston
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Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Keeley DavisHooker for Sharks is number 9 Quincy Dodd
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Otesa PuleProp for Sharks is number 17 Tegan Dymock
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Amber Hall2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Talei Holmes
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Olivia Kernick2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Rhiannon Byers
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Lock for Roosters is number 13 Tiana DavisonLock for Sharks is number 13 Brooke Anderson
Interchange
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Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Tavarna PapaliiInterchange for Sharks is number 10 Holli Wheeler
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Jasmin StrangeInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Filomina Hanisi
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Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Samantha EconomosInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Manilita Takapautolo
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Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Pani HopoateInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Vanessa Foliaki
Reserves
-
Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Mia WoodReplacement for Sharks is number 19 Nakia Davis-Welsh
Match Officials
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have outscored the Sharks 76-12 in their two head-to-head clashes.
- The Sharks have 10 players with grand final experience but none who have tasted victory.
- The Roosters will make their fourth appearance in a grand final.
- Sharks captain Tiana Penitani has scored five tries in her past six games.
- The Roosters have lost four from four at Accor Stadium.
- The Sharks will play at Accor Stadium for the first time.
- Roosters fullback Sam Bremner has scored five tries in her past four games.
- Sharks winger Georgia Ravics has scored 10 tries in 15 NRLW appearances.
- The Roosters have 12 players who have won an NRLW grand final.
- Holli Wheeler, Tayla Preston and Tegan Dymock will play their final games for the Sharks.
- Sydney Roosters prop Millie Elliott has the chance in Sunday’s NRLW grand final against Cronulla to become the first player to win NRLW premierships with three different clubs. Elliott previously won two deciders with the Broncos (2019 and 2020) and was a member of the Knights team that won that club’s first title in 2022. She can also equal Tamika Upton’s record of four grand final victories with a win this Sunday.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
