{
  "id": 11870765,
  "title": "NRLW quick hits: Roosters complete 101-year first as Aiken stars",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/nrlw-quick-hits-roosters-complete-101-year-first-as-aiken-stars-11870765",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-04T06:46:38.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-04/nrlw-grand-final-quick-hits-sydney-roosters-brisbane-broncos/107227144"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In the 2026 Sydney Roosters NRLW grand final, the team completed a historic first by defeating the Brisbane Broncos. This marked a significant milestone as no other top-flight rugby league team had achieved this in Australia for over a century. The match showcased the pressure faced by players during a grand final, with two State of Origin representatives committing uncharacteristic errors in the opening minutes.\n\nSydney Roosters winger Jayme Fressard's poor performance began with a failure to gather the opening kickoff and a subsequent mishap by Julia Robinson, the Broncos' winger, who dropped the ball in her own half, giving the Roosters an opportunity to score.\n\nThe Roosters dominated the first half, capitalizing on Brisbane's errors. Halfback Tarryn Aiken, who had missed the previous grand final due to an ACL injury, played a pivotal role in the Roosters' victory. Aiken scored a crucial try in a seven-minute span, setting up two additional tries with her precise passes.\n\nBrisbane's defense was formidable, but Sydney's Aiken continued to shine, contributing to the team's success. Legendary Broncos player Ali Brigginshaw, in her farewell game, made a disastrous mistake resulting in an Aiken try.\n\nDespite a late surge by Brisbane, the Roosters maintained their lead, with captain Isabelle Kelly scoring a try under the pressure of the second half. Brisbane's captain Tamika Upton demonstrated her exceptional skills with a crucial tackle, preventing a potential try for the Roosters' Jessica Sergis.\n\nThe Roosters entered the match with high confidence, boasting an impressive 30-1 record in the NRLW. Their perfect season, including 13 wins without a loss, culminated in a commanding victory over Brisbane, marking the first time in top-grade rugby league history that a men's or women's side completed a season without a defeat. This achievement ended a 57-year drought for the Roosters, who had previously gone without a losing streak since 1959.",
  "summary": "The 2026 Sydney Roosters NRLW side has cemented its legacy with a crushing grand final win over the Brisbane Broncos. Here are the quick hits from the NRLW grand final.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News",
        "title": "NRLW quick hits: Roosters complete 101-year first as Aiken stars",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/nrlw-quick-hits-roosters-complete-101-year-first-as-aiken-stars",
        "published": "2026-10-04T06:46:38.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Sydney Morning Herald",
        "title": "Redemption for Roosters in equal biggest NRLW grand final victory",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/redemption-for-roosters-in-equal-biggest-nrlw-grand-final-victory",
        "published": "2026-10-04T07:03:59.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Age",
        "title": "Redemption for Roosters in equal biggest NRLW grand final victory",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/04/redemption-for-roosters-in-equal-biggest-nrlw-grand-final-victory-11873629",
        "published": "2026-10-04T07:03:59.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}