SYDNEY ROOSTERS 20 CANBERRA RAIDERS 10
TOM SMITH, Allianz Stadium, Saturday

TARRYN AIKEN’S late try sent the Roosters into their third straight Grand Final at the expense of the Raiders.

England’s Hollie-Mae Dodd crossed for Canberra in the 59th minute to set up a tense finish against the unbeaten Tricolours, who entered the clash red-hot favourites.

But Aiken – who missed last year’s defeat to Brisbane in the decider due to a torn ACL – scored the match sealer to preserve her side’s unbeaten season. 

The result means the Roosters’ NRLW side will join the men at Accor Stadium next Sunday, while the Raiders are still waiting for their maiden appearance in a women’s decider. 

Coach John Strange will sweat on the fitness of winger Jayme Fressard, who didn’t appear in the second half thanks to a shoulder injury. 

Fressard opened the scoring within three minutes in the left corner. 

Then after the runaway Isabelle Kelly was dragged down by her hair, Rima Butler crashed over to extend the Sydney club’s lead. 

Krystal Blackwell kept the visitors in touch at the break and we could have been all square if the Bunker didn’t controversially deny Lili Boyle, who planted the ball on Brydie Parker’s foot. 

Instead, Jessica Sergis punished Isabella Waterman’s decision to let a Jocelyn Kelleher bomb bounce. 

After Blackwell miraculously denied Kelly, Dodd shaved the gap to just six with ten minutes to play, but Aiken slashed through at the death to ice the victory. 

ROOSTERS: 1 Corban Baxter, 2 Brydie Parker, 3 Jessica Sergis, 4 Isabelle Kelly, 5 Jayme Fressard, 6 Jocelyn Kelleher, 7 Tarryn Aiken, 8 Millie Elliott, 9 Keeley Nizza, 10 Otesa Pule, 11 Sariah Paki, 12 Jasmin Strange, 13 Olivia Kernick. Subs (all used): 14 Taina Naividi, 15 Aliyah Nasio, 16 Rima Butler, 17 Amber Hall

Tries: Fressard (3), Butler (20), Sergis (50), Aiken (68); Goals: Kelleher 2/4

RAIDERS: 1 Sheridan Gallagher, 2 Isabella Waterman, 3 Leianne Tufuga, 4 Bobbi Law, 5 Mackenzie Wiki, 6 Krystal Blackwell, 7 Zahara Temara, 8 Chloe Saunders, 9 Chanté Temara, 10 Sophie Holyman, 11 Jordyn Preston, 12 Charlotte Basham, 13 Hollie-Mae Dodd. Subs (all used): 14 Emma Barnes, 15 Grace Kemp, 16 Lili Boyle, 17 Grace Kukutai

Tries: Blackwell (33), Dodd (59); Goals: Temara 1/2

SCORING SEQUENCE: 4-0, 10-0, 10-4; 16-4, 16-10, 20-10

Rugby Leaguer & League Express Women of the Match
Roosters: Isabelle Kelly; Raiders: Hollie-Mae Dodd

Penalty count: 7-9; Half-time: 10-4; Referee: Kasey Badger; Attendance: 3,254