How foundation clubs defied odds to reach NRLW decider

And then there were two.

The Roosters' stunning upset win over the Broncos on Sunday leaves us with two foundation clubs who for three seasons, have both experienced defeat on grand final day. 

What a difference a week makes.

It was only seven days ago the Roosters were left savagely cheering for the Broncos to topple Parramatta by a big margin to even make the play-offs after the Dragons held on for a six-point win.

They defied the odds to return serve and knock off the three-time champions with their first victory over the Broncos in seven attempts, and on a day where they trailed 16-0 on Sunday.

Funny game, rugby league.

"It was probably hard for the girls to watch those two games [last week] because we were relying on results," Roosters coach John Strange said.

"But for me it was just back to business, watching video of the Broncos.

"I knew if we got a chance to get into the semis, we were good enough to beat anyone.

"No one gave us a chance and it was about us and those four walls that believed."

It's been a similiar scenario for the Dragons from the start of the season after being written off by many to not go anywhere near the finals.

After losing 10 of their players from the 2020 campaign including stars centres Jess Sergis and Isabelle Kelly to Bondi, Dragons coach Jamie Soward stepped in with a win at all costs attitude.

It's clearly paid off for the Red V.

"I expected to come in and make the finals as a minimum," Soward said.

"To win this game today was a great result for the club. For me as a rookie coach it's hard to put your own stamp in and get your point across.

"Players say I am direct but I think that has been a welcome part from the players.

"If you put all that together, I expected to make the finals because I am just a competitive person. But once we started training I was really excited about our forward pack, I think we have the best forward pack in the comp.

"Then you throw in some hidden gems, [Page] McGregor, Rach Pearson and the season she has had and then Emma Tonegato with the X-Factor."

Fittingly, it was two foundation players at both the Roosters (Corban Baxter) and Dragons (Kezie Apps) who will lead their sides in next week's decider.

One will finally have the chance to lift the trophy that Brisbane have held on to since 2018.

"It feels amazing, I had a chat to the girls before we came out and it was just about creating history today and knocking Brisbane out before the finals, I couldn't be proud," Baxter said. 

For Apps, who along with the likes of Keeley Davis and Shaylee Bent, they've been part of the club since the start.

"Before pre-season we made a promise to each other to work really hard," Apps said.

"We made it to the semis and we knew today would be toughest game of the year and it was that."