NRLW grand final 2024: Sydney Roosters v Cronulla Sharks – live | NRLW

64 mins: The Sharks are on the front foot and what a comeback this has been! Preston puts up a big kick to finish the set, but it’s too big and goes dead in goal for a Roosters’ seven tackle set, releasing all the pressure the Sharks were building.

Another simple shot for Preston and she makes no mistake.

The Roosters are ruled to knock the ball on. They challenge, but there’s no evidence to support overruling the on field decision. The Sharks get another chance close to the line and Johnston makes a strong spin over the line.

60 mins: The Sharks need to stand strong in defence now and they manage to do just that. With some good pressure on Kelleher’s kick, the ball goes dead in goal and the Sharks get a seven tackle set to try to close this gap even further.

58 mins: Wheeler looks like scoring, but Hall puts on a HUGE hit to put a stop to that. The Sharks can’t score, but an error from the Roosters soon after gives them the scrum feed and another set in good position. The Sharks get a penalty midway through the set, but the Roosters have put in a captain’s challenge. The challenge is successful and the Roosters get a scrum feed.

56 mins: An error in the play the ball from Parker gives the ball straight back to the Sharks – Parker loses her bearings and plays the ball sideways, which looks very strange! The Sharks get an opportunity to start a set within the Roosters’ half.

55 mins: Hall looks to spark something for the Roosters to bring them back into this game, and she makes a mini break through the middle, but the Sharks manage to bring her down. Kelleher puts up another excellent bomb, but Staples takes it so strongly and holds her ground right on the sideline. Preston puts in a brilliant searching kick to end their set, forcing the Roosters to start deep in their own territory.

Kelleher makes that kick look easy and gives the Roosters a little bit of breathing room as the Sharks keep coming at them.

52 mins: An exciting period of play has closed the gap between these teams – I would LOVE to know what was said the Sharks shed at half time. It must have been one hell of a speech to turn their game around. However an unnecessary penalty offers the Roosters a buffer and slows their momentum.

Another accurate kick from Preston and this game is getting very exciting now!

Well, a very exciting set with lots of fast hands from the Sharks and attacking dominance from Tonegato sets up yet another try and Cronulla is right back in this game!

48 mins: A good kick from Preston ends the Sharks’ set and it almost looks like they may force a repeat set, but the experience of Bremner gets the Roosters out of trouble as she shadows the ball over the dead ball line and gets her side a seven tackle set. They make their way down the field, but Bremner can’t quite get her pass away and the knock on gives the Sharks a scrum feed.

46 mins: There is a lot more belief shining out of the Sharks now and they are looking much more dangerous. Tonegato makes another mini break and the Roosters are not looking quite so comfortable.

An easy attempt for Preston and she nails it.

A silly penalty from the Roosters – putting a hit on a player without the ball – gives the Sharks the field position they’ve been looking for. Tonegato is brilliant in finding the space, losing the defenders and putting in a deft little pass to Dodd who crosses the line.

43 mins: The Roosters have been able to control the speed of the ruck and haven’t allowed the Sharks to get quick play the balls and that last set was no exception. The Roosters again drive down the field – there is no panic from them yet, despite the Sharks hitting the scoreboard. Kelleher puts up another great kick, but Ravics is up to the challenge.

41 mins: The Sharks look up and about after scoring, but a silly error in the play the ball hands the ball back to the Roosters deep in Sharks’ territory. Tonegato puts strong pressure on and forces a rare error from Aiken and the Sharks get back on the attack.

Preston’s kick looks great, hits the upright and bounces back over the post to add the two points.

The Sharks get a penalty early in the set, to give them some much-needed field position. Penitani gets within a couple of metres of the tryline before the Sharks nearly cough the ball up, but recover to make another run at the line and on her second attempt, Penitani is able to use her footwork to step around the defence and score.

37 mins: The Sharks have a bit of spark in their first set of the second half, powering down the field to be able to put in an attacking kick, but Bremner fields it to keep them off the scoreboard. The Roosters play a conservative set, keeping the pressure on.

The Roosters kick off and here we go!

The teams are getting back out on the field and the second half is almost underway. Can the Sharks bring things back, or are we in for more Roosters dominance?

And this Jess Sergis special on the stroke of half time tore out the last shreds of hope from hearts all over Cronulla.

This try from Parker epitomised the Sharks’ defensive woes.

There was a LOT going on in that half, so let’s re-live some of those tries. First up, we had Dally M winner Kernick getting things underway for the Roosters.

Well, what a half! I can safely say that was not what I was expecting leading into the game, or even after the first few minutes. The Roosters have been absolutely dominant and the Sharks do not seem to have any answers to their attack. There will be some tough conversations had in the sheds for them and teams have certainly turned scores like this around in the past, but it will take a lot to really dig deep and find massive improvements in attack and defence. The Roosters will be delighted with their first half, but they are not a team to rest on their laurels. They’ll be pushing for more points in the second half and the Sharks will have a fight on their hands.

Finally Kelleher gets a shot in front and she easily knocks it over.

On the stroke of half-time, the Roosters can’t resist adding more points – this time it’s Sergis with a strong run after a fifth tackle pass.

34 mins: A good, pressure-building set from the Roosters is followed by another attempt by the Sharks to get down the field, but they can’t get themselves into position to score and it looks like they may have to head to the sheds scoreless.

32 mins: Finally something falls the Sharks’ way, with Preston’s kick bouncing in the in goal and brushing Bremner’s hand before going dead in goal. The Sharks are in the best attacking position they’ve had in quite some time and they’re desperate for some points. Tonegato tries her best to set something up, but Staples can’t hold it and it’s back to the Roosters.

30 mins: Again Kelleher can’t add the two points – her team really needs to give her a break and stop scoring in the corner. In all seriousness, the Roosters have been basically flawless, playing beautiful rugby league and there’s not much the Sharks can do to stop them right now. Even when they get a set, every metre is a struggle through the tough Roosters’ defence.