The Cronulla Sharks are through to their first ever NRLW grand final after downing the Broncos in their preliminary final clash at a sold out Totally Workwear Stadium in Brisbane.
The Broncos, who are three-time NRLW premiership winners, had never been held scoreless in a game since the league’s inception in 2018 until the Sharks shut them out on Sunday.
The Sharks will now play the winner of Sunday afternoon’s clash between the Roosters and Knights in next week’s grand final
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Powerful Penitani performance in Prelim! | 01:51
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Cronulla scored the only try of the first half when Tiana Penitani crossed in the left corner in the 15th minute, however it was a four pointer shrouded in controversy with the Sharks outside back placing the ball on the hand of a Broncos defender.
The Sharks would extend the margin to two tries when centre Annessa Biddle ran a lovely line into space from a smart Tayla Preston ball to score.
The game was put beyond the Broncos’ reach in the 58th minute when winger Cassie Staples scored Cronulla’s third and final try.
Brisbane had a stack of possession late but the Sharks’ defence was so strong to hold them out.
Penitani was Cronulla’s best, running for 160 metres in addition to the try, while Brisbane’s Julia Robinson was a shining light for the Broncos, recording 202 running metres and a game-high seven tackle busts.
Source Agencies
