As it happened: Broncos set up monster GF showdown with Roosters

The Broncos will get the chance to defend their premiership crown after downing the Titans 20-8 in Sunday’s preliminary final at Cbus Super Stadium.

Brisbane set up the win with a dominant showing the first half, shutting down many of the attacking threats of the Gold Coast, including Teagan Levi, and forcing the home side into errors.

The Broncos will now face off against the Roosters in a rematch of last year’s epic NRLW decider, won 22-18 by Ali Brigginshaw and her team.

After missing three games due to suspension, Brigginshaw returned in Round 9 and the Broncos have been unbeaten since then.

The grand final at Accor Stadium next Sunday will be Brigginshaw’s final game and her teammates will be hell bent on sending her out a winner.

Follow the NRLW Preliminary Final action on NRL.com’s live blog.

Titans v Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium

Media conferences

Seven heaven: Jesse Southwell was supreme for the Broncos as they won their way into a fifth grand final. Southwell ran for 122 metres and produced two try assists and two line break assists in a composed display.

Full-time: A tight battle in the second half with the Titans fighting hard and scoring the only try of the half – but it was too little too late after the Broncos put in a dominant opening half to claim a 20-8 victory. This will give them a chance to defend their title in next week’s grand final against last year’s same opponents – the Roosters. While the Titans fought hard to get back into the game – they lost two players to HIAs with Sienna Lofipo and Lily Patston unable to complete the game. 

Crowd: A big crowd of 7372 in to watch this preliminary final – a standalone NRLW record for Cbus Super Stadium.

Update: The Titans have activated their 18th player Pauline Piliae-Rasabale due to two failed HIAs. 

54th min: A hugely important try to the Titans with the in form Evania Isa’ako doing it all herself, showing her versatility to kick into the line, regather the rebound and dive over to score. Brown can’t convert so it remains 8-0. 

51st min: Injury alert: Titans fullback Lily Patston comes from the field for a HIA. Update – it’s a Cat 1 so she’s out for the game. 

45th min: Still no score update in the second half, but plenty of action 10 minutes in. There is also plenty of feeling in the match with the Queensland derby rivals looking to claim their grand final spot. 

Half-time: An event start ends with a dominant showing from the Broncos who have scored four tries to one for a 20-4 lead at the break. More drama for the Titans as well with hard-working forward Sienna Lofipo ruled out initially with a failed HIA and also a suspected broken jaw. The Broncos have had 55 percent of the possession and completed at 83 percent while the Titans are at 78 percent. 

33rd min: The visitors with a quick-fire double, with Julia Robinson on the back of a good team play – including a great offload from Deleni Paitai – running in on the right-hand-side for a try. Southwell can’t convert from the sideline and it’s 20-4. 

Injury update – an unfortunate update from the Titans, with a suspected broken jaw for Sienna Lofipo. 

31st min: The Broncos are in again after the scramble from the Titans comes up short. Jada Ferguson dives on a loose ball to get the ball back for Brisbane in attacking zone. They go left where they have a huge overlap and Lauren Dam choses not to pass, but makes up for it by scoring herself cutting back inside. The conversion is unsuccessful and the Broncos lead 16-4. 

Injury update – Unfortunately for the Titans, representative lock Sienna Lofipo has failed her HIA. 

24th min: A lot happening with Destiny Mino-Sinapati down with a leg injury and the Broncos have also made a captain’s challenge on a fifth tackle turnover call. They are unsuccessful and the Titans winger has also had her ankle strapped in the pause in play. 

21st min: Injury alert – Sienna Lofipo comes from the field for a HIA after collecting the knee of a Broncos player.

13th min: What a way to get on the board! A fantastic high take from Destiny Mino-Sinapati who leaps on the left wing to reel in a great pump pass from Evania Isa’ako who was falling to the ground at the time. Lauren Brown can’t convert from the left sideline and it’s 12-4 to the Broncos. 

9th min: Another try to the Broncos after being gifted more possession with back-to-back penalties. A great run at the line onto a pass from Southwell saw Romy Teitzel go over untouched with the Titans goal line defence found lacking in this instance. Southwell converts from in front and it’s 12-0. 

6th min: First points to the Broncos thanks to – who else – Tamika Upton. The Titans give up penalty late in the count inside their danger zone and the visitors make them pay. After being held up to the right of the sticks, the Broncos then go left to their fullback who steps back inside through multiple defenders to score. Jesse Southwell converts and it’s 6-0. 

Kick off: The Titans kick off and the Broncos have first use of the ball. 

Match preview

Late Mail

Titans: No game day changes after Jasmine Solia was added to the bench on Saturday with Sarina Masaga dropping out of the squad. Jess Elliston also dropped out of the reserves after falling short in her bid to return from a knee injury suffered in Round 1. Winger Indie Bostock had “a bit of a sniffle” earlier in the week but is back at training and ready to go. Phoenix-Raine Hippi is out with a collarbone injury, bringing Destiny Mino-Sinapati in on the wing. Georgia Grey has moved to the centres. In the forwards, Fanua Rimoni has overcome the flu to start at prop, shifting Eta Sikahele to the bench.

Broncos: The premiers are 1-17 with no late changes. With forward Bree Spreadborough out with a lower leg fracture suffered in last week’s win over Newcastle, Reegan Hicks comes on to the bench. Caitlin Urwin is the 18th player. Captain Tamika Upton praised the work of five-eighth Ali Brigginshaw as she draws closer to her final game. “She’s playing incredible footy, she definitely is playing each game like it is her last, but I’ve been most impressed with probably all her off the ball efforts … she’s probably doing all the things that you can’t see on the stat sheets, so she’s leaving it all out there and that only inspires the players around her.”

Numbers Game

• The Titans defeated the Broncos 28-20 at Cbus Super Stadium in Round 8 this year.
• Broncos fullback Tamika Upton has scored eight tries in six games against the Titans.
• The Titans are chasing their 11th consecutive victory.
• Broncos halfback Jesse Southwell needs seven points to break the NRLW season points record.
• Titans winger Jaime Chapman has scored nine tries in her last nine games.