The much-anticipated clash of the competition favourites lived up to the hype as we closed out Round 3 of the NRLW.

Broncos v Roosters … what a game of footy and what a finish, ending 30-26.

Watch every game of the 2025 NRL Women’s Premiership LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.

It came down to the final minutes. Despite the Tricolours leading by eight with just five minutes left, an Olivia Kernick try for the Chooks was followed by Jessica Sergis being sin-binned. A four-pointer to new Broncos winger Kerri Johnson closed the gap to four.

Up against the ultimate time challenge, Brisbane opted not to kick the conversion in the hope that the remaining 100 seconds might just be enough for them to win the game. While it wasn’t to be, it was exciting stuff befitting a heavyweight clash early in the season.

The scary reality we’re left with from this game: the Roosters are undefeated and top of the table despite Queensland Origin playmaker Tarryn Aiken having not yet kicked a ball for them.

They will only get better when she comes back and they’ll take some beating this season as they chase back-to-back premierships.

Reigning Dally M Medallist Kernick made it look easy for the first of her two tries against Brisbane, reminding us that they’re already stacked with elite talent as it is.

Mind you, Tamika Upton showed her immense class for the Broncos with two early tries, plus an assist for Lauren Dam during the comeback; though she also knocked on at a crucial time, right before Kernick scored her second, which was enough for the Roosters to win.

No need to bash Tamika there – she’ll be feeling the sting more than anyone over that error and she did incredibly well to drag them back into the contest in the first place, after the Roosters romped in three early tries through Jasmin Strange, Taina Naividi and Otesa Pule. Pule’s run to the tryline was a powerful highlight.

It’s highly likely that this was a grand final preview and I actually don’t think it’s a bad thing for the Broncos that they lost. After a painful finals exits in the past two seasons, I reckon the loss could serve as an early warning of what they need to fix before the pressure of finals. They’ll still be backing themselves to go all the way.

But for now, the Roosters were too good.

DRAGONS SURGE AS SURPRISE PACKETS

This may be a bit bold, given I didn’t have them in my top six to start the season, but on early form the Dragons may be alongside Brisbane as the only other side that could challenge the Roosters.

There’s something going on there and they’re getting better every week.

While they lost 24-10 to the Chooks in Round 2, they were right in that game until the final 20 minutes. They would have learnt plenty in that loss, and they impressed again in their weekend 18-14 win over the Bulldogs.

Their halves pairing of Kasey Reh and Raecene McGregor stacks up pretty well against all but the best pairings in the league. And where the Roosters really stand out is the pace and workrate in their backline, which is something the Dragons can arguably match with the likes of Teagan Berry, Indie Bostock and Margot Vella.

The Dragons at their best would have an outside chance. They look like they’re building something this season, like they could do something special that no one expected.

Berry gives them that X-factor in their spine from fullback, while Nita Maynard-Perrin has terrific footy sense out of dummy-half; her scoot left to split the markers and put Reh through a hole at the death won them the game against the Dogs. Nita is a fast becoming a not-so-secret weapon at hooker.

I haven’t seen Hannah Southwell in this kind of form for years. She looks right at home in the red and white No. 13 jersey, especially as she palmed several players in the second half on her way to a spectacular try.

When she first came into the game, she made us sit up and take notice. And she’s back.

No shame to the Dogs here, narrowly copping their first loss after entering the competition this season, with Andie Robinson in some eye-catching form at No.1.

And a shoutout to sisters Alexis Tauaneai (Bulldogs) and Trinity Tauaneai (Dragons), facing off in an NRLW game. A very special moment.

EELS BOUNCE BACK AT RAIDERS’ EXPENSE

A surprise loss to the Warriors was quickly forgotten as Parramatta hammered Canberra 46-12 at GIO Stadium.

Rachael Pearson scored 18 of those points herself, with a late try and seven conversions from halfback. She’s leading them around nicely and also produced 118 run metres.

With Kennedy Cherrington still to come back, signs are good for the Eels. Sister Rueben Cherrington is in good form at hooker and had a strong game against the Raiders.

JESSE JUST PERFECT FOR KNIGHTS

The Warriors are getting some promising early form out of a pair of rugby converts, playmaker Patricia Maliepo and winger Michaela Brake, though Newcastle’s class won out on the weekend in a 36-20 win for the Knights.

The Warriors should be really proud of what they’re building so far in their return to the NRLW, but the Knights are a seasoned side who just know how to win, particularly at home.

The onus was on Jesse Southwell to stand up after Tamika Upton’s departure to Brisbane this season and she’s been terrific, ensuring that Newcastle remain a team to beat.

She deserves a big rap for her phenomenal goalkicking so far, having booted a perfect 12/12 through three rounds, including 6/6 on Sunday.

COWBOYS SPRING A STUNNER, WITH A COLDPLAY NOD

North Queensland’s 16-14 win at Cronulla was such an exciting game. It was a really gritty performance from the Cowboys and a major upset.

Tahlulah Tillett came into halfback for Kirra Dibb and was terrific, while Makenzie Weale was outstanding at prop. It was a player of the match performance for mine — capped by that hilarious and of-the-moment Coldplay try celebration with Tallisha Harden!

Weale showed exactly why she plays in the front row for Queensland. Taking on the Cronulla pack the way she did was inspiring. Her run metres (155) stacked up, and while there were many efforts over ten metres, there were plenty of tough carries early on as she faced four or five Cronulla forwards head on. Honourable mention to fellow forward Essay Banu, who put on one of the best defensive hits we’ll see in the NRLW.

Captain Emma Manzelmann was sharp as always in at hooker and it was such an impressive win for the Cowboys against one of the competition heavyweights, especially with some late changes and no Jakiya Whitfield at fullback.

BROWN LEADS TITANS OFF THE MARK

Gold Coast really needed that 24-12 win on the road against Wests Tigers.

Lauren Brown captained for the first time in the absence of Georgia Hale and she did a great job given the opportunity, showing urgency throughout and leading her side around.

The Tigers didn’t make it easy and led at half-time, though they missed Kezie Apps when she was forced off with an HIA in the second half. Sarah Togatuki was willing in the pack as she always tends to be, while Caitlin Turnbull scored a stunning hat-trick in front of a packed Leichhardt Oval crowd.

Jaime Chapman looked really dangerous at fullback for the Titans and I think she’ll only build on that form. She’s got plenty more to offer in that position, in her in that position, which is exciting for her side. Her post-try celebration turned head as she easily performed a backflip that not only entertained, but confirmed for me her hamstring niggles might now just be a thing of the past.

Jessika Elliston and Ivana Lolesio were big contributors, while Georgia Grey’s athleticism impressed as she found the tryline.

In a game where both teams were desperately seeking a first win, it was the Titans that got their season rolling and they should take some confidence into another away trip as they head to New Zealand this weekend.