Where the NRLW grand final will be won and lost

[Super Freak]

Where the NRLW grand final will be won and lost

September 28, 2018

Individual match-ups and potential international jerseys are on the line in Sunday's NRL Holden Women's Premiership grand final at ANZ Stadium.

But the chance to become the maiden NRLW champions outweighs it all.

With 22 players boasting State of Origin and international experience featuring in the decider, past results mean nothing with both sides set to make a strong case for the trophy.

Will bench impact be the difference in the inaugural decider? Or will it come down to individual brilliance?

NRL.com previews a player-by-position match-up ahead of the NRLW grand final.

Fullback: Chelsea Baker v Karina Brown

Both players hail from Queensland with Chelsea Baker the incumbent Maroons No.1 and Karina Brown the state's skipper in State of Origin. Baker has been dominant for Brisbane with two tries, 10 goals and four line breaks over the last three weeks, while Brown returned to form against the Dragons in the final round with a try assist and 94 running metres.

Verdict: Baker has the edge over Brown in this battle but with a possible Jillaroos jersey up for grabs at season's end, Brown will leave nothing in the tank.

Wingers: Julia Robinson and Karley Te Kawa v Taleena Simon and Brydie Parker

All four players are inexperienced and fresh onto the scene. Broncos winger Julia Robinson has been one of the surprise packets of the NRLW after being picked up by Brisbane at the National Championships in June. Robinson takes on another rising star in Taleena Simon, who crossed for four tries last week, while two further rookies in Karley Te Kawa and Brydie Parker will battle it out on the opposite edge.

Verdict: Both Robinson and Simon are expected to see more ball down their edge throughout the contest. Simon's speed and combination with Isabelle Kelly gets the Roosters over the line, though Robinson has already shown in 2018 she fears no one.

Centres: Meg Ward and Amber Pilley v Isabelle Kelly and Shontelle Stowers

Powerhouse centre Isabelle Kelly takes on Jillaroos teammate Meg Ward in another battle that is likely to play a big part in the result. The Roosters have got plenty of ball to Kelly over the past three weeks with 33 shift moments to the left side and Ward has risen to the challenge of moulding her game in the centres throughout the year. On the other edge, Shontelle Stowers has been going about her business quietly and making good ground, while Amber Pilley has been defensively sound with just three missed tackles across the competition.

Verdict: The strike and big-game experience of Kelly gives the Roosters the edge in the centres if they can utilise her well enough. Stowers is also a threat on the opposite side and can make some in-roads.

Five-eighth: Kimiora Nati v Lavina O'Mealey

While Ali Brigginshaw has received praise for her NRLW season, the form of her Brisbane halves partner Kimiora Nati shouldn't go unnoticed. Her combinations particularly with the Kiwi Ferns players in the side is one to look out for. Lavina O'Mealey will finish her career on Sunday and is creative enough to match the skills of Nati on the right edge.

Verdict: Nati has the stronger game and combinations in this match-up and could prove a point of difference in the clash with her speed.

Halfback: Ali Brigginshaw v Zahara Temara

A halves pairing for Queensland just three months ago, the battle of the No.7s is likely to dictate how the grand final plays out. Ali Brigginshaw has been faultless throughout the NRLW competition with three try assists, 79.6 average running metres and 160.8 average kick metres. But Temara bounced back to form with a move into the halves last week to set up two tries and boot a whopping 274 kick metres to get the Roosters out of their end.

Verdict: Brigginshaw has the edge but Temara just needs a bit of confidence early to turn the tide the Roosters' way.

Hooker: Brittany Breayley v Nita Maynard

Newly crowned Dally M Female of the Year Brittany Breayley has a score to settle after going down to Nita Maynard and the NSW Blues in June. Both players offer speed around the ruck and creativity but Maynard is likely to only get through 30-40 minutes before being subbed for Kylie Hilder.

Verdict: Can't go past Breayley in the hooker role to get the Broncos on the front foot. She has the ability to control a game if the Roosters let her.

Props: Steph Hancock and Heather Ballinger v Ruan Sims and Elianna Walton

This will be on for young and old. All experienced campaigners with a score to settle. None of these players like losing and there's plenty of history between the pairs through Origin rivalry. The Broncos were all over the Roosters up front in round two and both Ruan Sims and Elianna Walton will be out to change that on Sunday. Hancock offers a lot of chat towards the opposition in games and the experienced Sims and Walton will be aware of that.

Verdict: It's hard to split this one but if the Roosters can rattle Hancock and Ballinger in defence early, it could be enough to unsettle the Broncos as a whole. Sims and Walton have a longer motor overall.

Back row: Teuila Fotu-Moala and Maitua Feterika v Tazmin Gray and Vanessa Foliaki

New Zealand internationals Teuila Fotu-Moala and Maitua Feterika set up an intriguing battle in the back row against Queensland forward Tazmin Gray and Jillaroos back-rower Vanessa Foliaki. Fotu-Moala has had a solid campaign with 14 tackle breaks and three line breaks, but has been contained by her usual standards, while Gray and Foliaki clicked on the back of last week's effort.

Verdict: Gray and Foliaki need big games to keep Fotu-Moala and Feterika quiet, a task that looks difficult at this stage.

Lock: Rona Peters v Simaima Taufa

Both workhorses in their own right, Rona Peters has gone about her business efficiently this season. Simaima Taufa has been virtually on one leg since the opening round of the NRLW season with a MCL injury but continues to churn out high numbers. Neither are going to single-handedly win you a game but they certainly won't lose you one.

Verdict: Taufa's ability to draw in three to four defenders at a time gives her the edge, even if she's not 100% fit.

Bench: Lavinia Gould, Chelsea Lenarduzzi, Mariah Storch and Ngatokotoru Arakua v Kylie Hilder, Sarah Togatuki, Victoria Latu and Kandy Kennedy.

The Broncos bench have been providing the impact, while Roosters coach Adam Hartigan has continued to reshuffle his side around to get the right balance. It looms as the Broncos' advantage with rampaging forward Ngatokotoru Arakua a point of difference. With a couple of late changes expected, getting the make-up of the bench correct is vital. Hartigan has NSW halfback Maddie Studdon listed in the reserves. Will he opt to play her late?

Final verdict: Contrary to the regular season, there's not a lot between these two sides on on their day. Most positions cancel themselves out with the quality set to take the paddock on Sunday. The bench impact looms as pivotal as to where the game is won or lost.

The Broncos have impact to come on around the 15th-20th minute mark of the game and that needs to be matched if the Roosters are to keep up with their rivals' dominant ways.

The Roosters' advantage is they play right through to the 60th minute and have scored points late in matches, whereas the Broncos have failed to score a point in the final eight minutes of any clash this season.

Key individual moments need to be taken and every player is capable of winning their own personal match-ups if they're up for it.

Source: NRL.com