{"id":92024,"date":"2026-09-30T10:02:36","date_gmt":"2026-09-30T00:02:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/?p=92024"},"modified":"2026-10-01T10:56:46","modified_gmt":"2026-10-01T00:56:46","slug":"2026-nrlw-grand-final-tips-predictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/2026\/09\/2026-nrlw-grand-final-tips-predictions\/","title":{"rendered":"2026 NRLW Grand Final Tips &amp; Predictions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The 2026 NRLW regular season was&nbsp;<em>far<\/em>&nbsp;from a two-horse&nbsp;race&nbsp;but the quinella&nbsp;favourites&nbsp;have&nbsp;ultimately played&nbsp;their way into Sunday\u2019s decider.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Easts are unbeaten after 10 games played this year; an astonishing feat that sees them carry deserving&nbsp;favouritism&nbsp;into the big dance.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Opposing them on Sunday though, is a champion Broncos side that have played themselves into premiership-defending form thanks\u00a0largely to\u00a0familiar names Ali Brigginshaw, Tamika\u00a0Upton\u00a0and Shannon Mato in the pack.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n<style><\/style><div data-league=\"NRLW\" data-event=\"nrl-20261611410\" data-market=\"null\" data-sport=\"rugby_league\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner wp-block-entain-sport-takeover-banner-block_61a510c623d272fdb8e1f7a5f78d204b sport-data\">    <section class=\"sport-takeover-banner__wrapper\">\n        <div class=\"origin-banner__inner\">\n\n            <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__details\">\n                <!-- Change data-countdown-to to your event date\/time. -->\n                <div\n                    class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown\"\n                    data-countdown-to=\"2026-10-04T05:00:00Z\"\n                    aria-label=\"Event countdown\">\n                    <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item\" data-days-wrapper>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__number\" data-countdown-days>0<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__label\">Days<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__number\" data-countdown-hours>0<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__label\">Hours<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__number\" data-countdown-minutes>0<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__label\">Mins<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n\n                    <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__number\" data-countdown-seconds>0<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__countdown-item__label\">Secs<\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <h3 class=\"sport-takeover-banner__title\">NRLW<\/h3>\n                <p class=\"sport-takeover-banner__meta\">Accor Stadium &bull; Sunday 4th Oct<\/p>\n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__teams\">\n                <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team sport-takeover-banner__team--one\">\n                                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__logo\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__image\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/rugby-league\/sydney-roosters-women-vs-brisbane-broncos-women\/f7927b11-bba1-4ba0-917f-52e344e9a908\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__link\">\n                                <svg id=\"\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" class=\"sprite-icon\"><!----> <use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/lads-sports-data\/assets\/svg-sports-nrl-icon.svg#sydney-roosters-women\"><\/use> <\/svg> \n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__name\">Sydney Roosters Women <\/div>\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/rugby-league\/sydney-roosters-women-vs-brisbane-broncos-women\/f7927b11-bba1-4ba0-917f-52e344e9a908\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__odds\">$1.45<\/a>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__teams__vs\">vs<\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team sport-takeover-banner__team--two\">\n                                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__logo\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__image\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/rugby-league\/sydney-roosters-women-vs-brisbane-broncos-women\/f7927b11-bba1-4ba0-917f-52e344e9a908\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__link\">\n                                <svg id=\"\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" class=\"sprite-icon\"><!----> <use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/lads-sports-data\/assets\/svg-sports-nrl-icon.svg#brisbane-broncos-women\"><\/use> <\/svg> \n                            <\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                                        <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__name\">Brisbane Broncos Women <\/div>\n                    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/rugby-league\/sydney-roosters-women-vs-brisbane-broncos-women\/f7927b11-bba1-4ba0-917f-52e344e9a908\" class=\"sport-takeover-banner__team__odds\">$2.75<\/a>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                            <div class=\"sport-takeover-banner__disclaimer\">NRLW odds correct as of 01\/10\/2026 and subject to change. <\/div>\n            \n        <\/div>\n    <\/section>\n    <\/div>\n\n<section class=\"entain-block teams-tip-block hoverable\">\n  <div class=\"teams-tip-header\">\n    <div class=\"teams-tip-header-meta\">\n      <!--div class=\"teams-tip-header-meta__inner\"-->\n        <div class=\"team-vs-team\" style=\"display:flex\">\n          <span class=\"icon\"><svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><!----><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/punters\/assets\/brand-icons\/neds\/svg-sports-nrl-icon.svg?v=20260924a#sydney-roosters\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n          <div style=\"display:flex; flex-direction:row; flex-wrap:wrap; justify-content:center; align-items:center; text-align:center; column-gap:5px; font-weight: 700\">\n            <div class=\"team_1\" style=\"flex-direction:column;\">Sydney Roosters<\/div>\n            <div class=\"versus\" style=\"font-weight:normal;font-style:italic;\">vs<\/div>\n            <div class=\"team_2\">Brisbane Broncos<\/div>\n                        <div class=\"info\">Sunday 4th October 2026 3:00 PM (Accor Stadium)<\/div>\n                                              <\/div>\n          <span class=\"icon\"><svg width=\"32\" height=\"32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\"><!----><use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/punters\/assets\/brand-icons\/neds\/svg-sports-nrl-icon.svg?v=20260924a#brisbane-broncos\"><\/use><\/svg><\/span>\n        <\/div>\n      <!--\/div -->\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n      <div class='teams-tip-content'>\n      <p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">By the Numbers<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Even casual fans of the NRLW will be familiar with Tamika\u00a0Upton by\u00a0now.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The best player in the women\u2019s game has put the Broncos on her back again this year to post some simply ridiculous attacking numbers. With 15 tries and 20 assists from 13 games this season, Upton has been\u00a0<\/span><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">directly\u00a0<\/span><\/i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">responsible\u00a0for almost half (48%) of Brisbane\u2019s total tries (72) scored.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">In reality, that\u00a0percentage is\u00a0probably higher. If she\u2019s not credited for the last pass assist, we can almost certainly assume Upton was somehow involved in the lead up; counting numbers, taking short sides, creating one-on-one situations for teammates to offload or tackle bust their way towards points.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Without suggesting the Broncos are impotent outside of Upton, the job is simple for Easts on Sunday. Stack the extra number wherever Upton goes and force Brisbane to find unfamiliar unpreferred avenues to the try line.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Roosters are far more balanced with how they set up in attack.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Between five-eighth Jocellyn Kelleher (16 try assists) and halfback Tarryn Aiken (17), Easts employ the second- and third-most prolific playmakers in the NRLW as a\u00a0halves\u00a0pairing.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Jess Sergis (17 tries this year; most in NRLW) and Brydie Parker (11 tries) largely have Aiken to thank for their hauls this season while on the left, wingers Jayme\u00a0Fressard\u00a0(12 tries in just 9 games) and Taina Naividi (4 tries in 8 games) and backrower Sariah Paki (6 tries) are feasting on Kelleher\u2019s kicking and ballplaying.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Deciding Factors<\/span><\/b><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">While Upton is capable of manufacturing points from anywhere on the field, the\u00a0Roosters\u00a0dominance in yardage makes this task a tall one for Brisbane.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">A bench forward rotation of Aliyah Nasio, Rima Butler and Amber Hall would start at most rival NRLW clubs while Jess Sergis and Isabelle Kelly have set the standard for outside backs in the women\u2019s game for a decade.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Broncos prop-forward Shannon Mato has been immense in both finals\u00a0games\u00a0and\u00a0she\u2019ll\u00a0make it a contest early against Millie Boyle and Otesa Pule, but when fatigue sets in and the packs rotate, I\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0see Brisbane\u00a0maintaining\u00a0the rage.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Chooks profile well\u00a0to enjoy\u00a0the lion\u2019s share of field position again on Sunday, unless Ali Brigginshaw and Jesse Southwell can find the grass with their boots.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Southwell\u00a0in particular stood\u00a0out in the 2026 State of Origin Series with her ability to build pressure with her long kicking game. Her development as an NRLW half has coincided with less highlight reel moments and more repeatable actions &#8211; pass early, kick long, chase hard, tackle well &#8211; and if Brisbane are to defend the title, they\u2019ll need Southwell at her consistent, repeatable best.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b><i><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Verdict<\/span><\/i><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">There\u2019s\u00a0a reason the Roosters bring undefeated form into the 2026 NRLW Grand\u00a0Final\u00a0and I\u00a0can\u2019t\u00a0tip against them here.\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">An experienced pack and backline\u00a0has\u00a0been here and done it before and although the best version of this Broncos attack through Jesse Southwell and Tamika Upton can give them a scare, I like Easts to bank the NRL &amp; NRLW double on Sunday night.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><strong>Tips<\/strong>: Sydney Roosters to Cover the Line (-7.5) @ $1.90<\/p>\n<p><strong> Anytime Tryscorer:<\/strong> Jess Sergis @ 1.98, Brydie Parker @ $2.15<\/p>\n        <div class=\"teams-tip-button\">\t\t\t\n          <a class=\"track-me btn-standard bet-now-btn\" href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/rugby-league\/nrlw\/sydney-roosters-women-vs-brisbane-broncos-women\/f7927b11-bba1-4ba0-917f-52e344e9a908\" target=\"_blank\" \n          data-tr-event=\"blog\" data-tr-method=\"bet now button\" data-tr-action=\"open sport_event\" data-tr-label=\"f7927b11-bba1-4ba0-917f-52e344e9a908\" data-tr-event-id=\"f7927b11-bba1-4ba0-917f-52e344e9a908\"  \n          >Bet Now<\/a>\n        <\/div>\n          <\/div>\n  <\/section>\n\n\n<section class=\"align wp-block-entain-sports-next-to-go\"><div data-league=\"NRLW\" data-sport=\"rugby_league\" class=\"sport-next-to-go wp-block-entain-sport-next-to-go-block_1e6037ad2a65f40e848b57a5f37ee0db sport-data\"><div class=\"sport-next-to-go_wrapper\">            <div class=\"sport-next-to-go-match-card\">\n                <div class=\"sport-next-to-go-match-card__header\">\n                                            <span class=\"sport-next-to-go-match-card__badge\">3 days<\/span>\n                                    <\/div>\n\n                <hr class=\"sport-next-to-go-match-card__divider\" \/>\n\n                <div class=\"sport-next-to-go-match-card__teams\">\n                    <div class=\"sport-next-to-go-match-card__team\">\n                        <svg id=\"\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" class=\"sprite-icon sport-next-to-go-match-card__flag\"><!----> <use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/lads-sports-data\/assets\/svg-sports-nrl-icon.svg#sydney-roosters-women\"><\/use> <\/svg>                    <\/div>\n\n                    <h4 class=\"sport-next-to-go-match-card__title\"><a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/rugby-league\/sydney-roosters-women-vs-brisbane-broncos-women\/f7927b11-bba1-4ba0-917f-52e344e9a908\">Sydney Roosters Women vs Brisbane Broncos Women<\/a><\/h4>\n\n                    <div class=\"sport-next-to-go-match-card__team\">\n                        <svg id=\"\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\" viewBox=\"0 0 32 32\" fill=\"currentColor\" version=\"1.1\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" xmlns:xlink=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/1999\/xlink\" class=\"sprite-icon sport-next-to-go-match-card__flag\"><!----> <use xlink:href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-content\/plugins\/lads-sports-data\/assets\/svg-sports-nrl-icon.svg#brisbane-broncos-women\"><\/use> <\/svg>                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n\n                <div class=\"sport-next-to-go-match-card__odds\">\n                                            <a class=\"sport-next-to-go-match-card__option\" href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/rugby-league\/sydney-roosters-women-vs-brisbane-broncos-women\/f7927b11-bba1-4ba0-917f-52e344e9a908\">\n                            <span class=\"sport-next-to-go-match-card__option-label\">Sydney Roosters Women<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"sport-next-to-go-match-card__option-value\">1.45<\/span>\n                        <\/a>\n                    \n                    \n                                            <a class=\"sport-next-to-go-match-card__option\" href=\"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/sports\/event\/rugby-league\/sydney-roosters-women-vs-brisbane-broncos-women\/f7927b11-bba1-4ba0-917f-52e344e9a908\">\n                            <span class=\"sport-next-to-go-match-card__option-label\">Brisbane Broncos Women<\/span>\n                            <span class=\"sport-next-to-go-match-card__option-value\">2.75<\/span>\n                        <\/a>\n                                    <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n<\/div><p class=\"sport-next-to-go__disclaimer\">NRLW odds correct as of 01\/10\/2026 and subject to change. <\/p><\/div><\/section>\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The 2026 NRLW regular season was&nbsp;far&nbsp;from a two-horse&nbsp;race&nbsp;but the quinella&nbsp;favourites&nbsp;have&nbsp;ultimately played&nbsp;their way into Sunday\u2019s decider.&nbsp;&nbsp; Easts are unbeaten after 10 games played this year; an astonishing feat that sees them carry deserving&nbsp;favouritism&nbsp;into the big dance.&nbsp;&nbsp; Opposing them on Sunday though, is a champion Broncos side that have played themselves into premiership-defending form thanks\u00a0largely to\u00a0familiar names Ali Brigginshaw, Tamika\u00a0Upton\u00a0and Shannon Mato in the pack.\u00a0\u00a0 By the Numbers\u00a0 Even casual fans of the NRLW will be familiar with Tamika\u00a0Upton by\u00a0now.\u00a0\u00a0 The best player in the women\u2019s game has put the Broncos on her back again this year to post some simply ridiculous&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":34,"featured_media":92025,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"hub_post_cat":[],"class_list":["post-92024","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rugby-league"],"acf":{"md_tip_date":"","md_tip_date_end":"","md_market_url":"","tip_date":"30\/09\/2026","event_country":"Australia"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92024","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/34"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=92024"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92024\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":92026,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/92024\/revisions\/92026"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/92025"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=92024"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=92024"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=92024"},{"taxonomy":"hub_post_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.neds.com.au\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/hub_post_cat?post=92024"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}