The Brisbane Broncos delivered a stunning performance on March 10, 2024, defeating the Newcastle Knights 46-16 in a decisive match of the NRLW. Scoring nine tries, the Broncos solidified their position in the race for the minor premiership, remaining just one victory behind the undefeated Sydney Roosters as the season approaches its final rounds.
Despite trailing 16-4 as half-time approached, Brisbane turned the game around with an explosive five-minute burst, netting three tries. Shalom Sauaso, Kerri Johnson, and Hayley Maddick capped off the rapid scoring spree, sending the Broncos into the break with an 18-16 lead. Coach Scott Prince highlighted the importance of discipline, stating, “The key thing is we have to be disciplined with our defence, and if we get into a grind, it’s hard for teams to stick with us.”
In the second half, Tamika Upton added to the Broncos’ tally with a try against her former club. Maddick, Romy Teitzel, and Julia Robinson each scored to secure a comfortable victory. Teitzel’s performance, which included a try and five successful conversions, propelled her back to the top of the NRLW points-scorer list with a total of 14 points, overtaking Jocelyn Kelleher from the Roosters.
Brisbane’s dominance in this match was underscored by their consistent performance at Hunter Stadium, where they have now secured three wins in their last three visits. Despite having to forgo a celebration for the Wests Tigers’ 20th anniversary of their 2005 NRL premiership victory, Prince expressed satisfaction with his team’s effort and result.
Sharks Surge to Third Place with Victory Over Warriors
Meanwhile, the Cronulla Sharks moved up to third place in the NRLW standings after a 22-14 victory against the Warriors in Hamilton. Coach Tony Herman made seven changes to his line-up from earlier in the week, including a late switch that saw Georgia Hannaway take on the role of hooker. Hannaway played a pivotal role in the match, assisting in the first try as she darted from dummy-half to set up Emma Verran from 25 metres out.
Despite leading 10-6 at half-time, the Sharks faced tough competition from the home side, which featured wingers Tyra Wetere and Payton Takimoana, the latter now leading the try-scorers this season with 11 tries. Verran scored her second try following a strong return from a knee reconstruction by Jada Taylor, who made an impressive comeback with a line break and multiple assists.
Sharks captain Tiana Penitani Gray acknowledged the challenge of playing against a determined Warriors side in front of their home crowd. She expressed the team’s intent to make the long journey worthwhile, saying, “It was tough because we knew [the Warriors] were going to show up today with home ground advantage in front of great fans.”
As the NRLW season progresses, both the Broncos and Sharks are demonstrating their capabilities, making the final rounds increasingly crucial for playoff positioning. With only three rounds remaining, the competition intensifies, promising more exciting matchups ahead.
