Sydney Roosters proved their premiership credentials to triumph 36-18 against a 12-woman Broncos outfit at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
The clash between the two NRLW foundation clubs saw the first send off in the competition's history, a double from a returning mother and a packed crowd as the Roosters dominated early for an 18-0 lead.
Broncos winger Ashleigh Werner was given her marching orders in the 53rd minute for allegedly biting Roosters opposite Jayme Fressard - becoming the first player sent off in the six seasons since the NRLW began in 2018.
The Roosters led 30-18 at the time and were barnstorming from the kick-off, with Millie Boyle running 191 metres, while Isabelle Kelly, Corban Baxter, Tarryn Aiken and Jess Sergis all fired for the visitors.
Millie Boyle try 5th minute
Boyle, the former Broncos and Knights prop, opened the scoring in her first outing for the Roosters after just five minutes. Within the first 20 minutes, she had run for 108 metres.
Six months after having her second child, Corban Baxter crashed over under the posts before Keilee Joseph and Jess Sergis put the boot in for the Roosters to go four tries to nil up in the first half.
Tazmin Gray try 24th minute
The Broncos eventually found their way through in the 18th minute through Gray, before she picked up a second in the 24th minute.
Gayle Broughton was dangerous in her first outing for the Broncos in the halves, after a breakout season for the Parramatta Eels in 2022.
Broncos captain Ali Brigginshaw picked up try just before halftime to close the gap 22-18.
But the second half send-off of Werner made it all too difficult for the home team, with the Roosters making their mark on the competition early.
Werner sent off for biting
Baxter and Sergis picked up doubles in the second half, before Joeli Morris sealed the win for the in the 68th minute 36-18.
Roosters second-rower Amber Hall (foot) will be sweating on scan results after leaving the field injured early in the first half while Julia Robinson also suffered a hamstring injury late.
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Match snapshot
- The Roosters enjoyed 56 percent possession for the clash while both sides completed at over 75 percent in a high-quality match.
- The Roosters made eight line breaks to two in the victory.
- Broncos winger Ashleigh Werner became the first NRLW player to be sent off for allegedly biting Sydney Rooster Jayme Fressard in the 53rd minute.
- Millie Boyle scored in her first game for the Tricolours after previously playing for the Newcastle Knights and Brisbane Broncos
- Roosters fullback Corban Baxter enjoyed her return to the field with two tries after giving birth to her second child in January.
- Broncos back-rower Tazmin Gray crossed for a double in her return to the side after stints at the Roosters, Warriors and Titans.
- The Roosters have now won their last three games against the Broncos.
Play of the game
It didn't get the chocolates for her side but Ali Brigginshaw's chip and chase try lit up Sunshine Coast Stadium in a highlight for the Broncos, who continued to fight in the loss.
Ali Brigginshaw try 33rd minute
What they said
“I was really happy with how the girls played. We got off to a good start, 18-0, but was disappointed with how we put pressure on ourselves and allowed the Broncos get back into the game from forced errors. I spoke to them about that at halftime and I knew we had more points in us in the second half, but our main goal was not to let the Broncos score at all in the second half. Defence is attitude and our girls really turned up in that second half to shut the Broncos out.” - Roosters coach John Strange.
"It wasn't the ideal start for us when you're handing the ball over cheaply to a side like the Roosters they're going to make you pay. We were right up to our eyeballs in it. Dropping back to 12 hurt but it showed some urgency in defence which was weird. When we had 13 we weren't hungry enough. The effort was great, courage was outstanding but we missed an opportunity." - Broncos coach Scott Prince.
NRLW Press Conference: Broncos v Roosters - Round 1, 2023
What's next
The Roosters travel to Canberra to take on the Raiders next Saturday, while the Broncos meet the Titans in a Queensland derby at The Gabba on Thursday night.