The NRLW will see a new champion crowned this year with the Sydney Roosters and Cronulla facing off in the decider.
Newcastle claimed the previous two titles but were knocked out by John Strange’s side in the prelims.
Meanwhile, the Sharks shocked everyone when they recovered from three losses on the bounce in the regular season to record a 14-0 win over Brisbane in their prelim to shock the minor premiers.
The Sporting News previews all the best bets for the NRLW decider.
All odds via Sportsbet.
NRLW grand final tips: Betting preview, best bets for Roosters vs. Sharks
In just their second year in the NRLW, the Sharks will attempt to claim their maiden premiership.
The Roosters have been to the big dance on three occasions in the past but have managed to lift the trophy just once when they beat St George Illawarra in 2021.
The Chooks have battled with injury issues throughout the campaign with NSW Origin five-eighth Corban Baxter sidelined for the entirety of the campaign.
Star centre pairing Jess Sergis and Isabelle Kelly have also faced their issues this season but will play in the decider, in what is a major boost.
The Sharks will face an uphill battle in beating their opponents after going down to them in a heavy 40-0 defeat just a month ago.
That defeat was amid the horror run at the back end of the season which saw them lose their unbeaten record, drop from the top of the ladder and fall to the cellar-dwelling Wests Tigers.
Sam Bremner and Olivia Kernick to fire Roosters to win
Sam Bremner came out of retirement this year and has been in fine touch as she has helped guide the Roosters to within 70 minutes of a premiership.
The fullback bagged a double during her side’s 25-16 win over the Knights in the prelims, while she also crossed for two tries in Round 9 when they defeated Parramatta.
Meanwhile, due to Tarryn Aiken’s unpredictability in attack, it’s hard for opposition defences to forecast exactly where they are going to get hit.
Their spread of four-pointers during the campaign has seen 13 come via the left edge, 11 through the middle and 17 on the right edge.
Olivia Kernick, who is fresh from her Dally M Medal win, could be in for a good day though on the right to cap off a stellar year.
PREDICTION: Roosters by 10
BEST BET: Sam Bremner and Olivia Kernick anytime try-scorers ($12)
KARYN MURPHY MEDAL WINNER: Tarryn Aiken ($5.50)
-Mark Molyneux
Roosters' grand final experience to prove crucial
Of the six NRLW grand finals in history, the Roosters have appeared in three of them, which is seriously impressive.
They lost their first two – against powerhouse side the Broncos – but won their most recent decider against the Dragons in 2021.
The Sharks, on the other hand, have no grand final experience. While they undeniably have the talent to take out the premiership, the occasion will be a big step up from the regular season.
There will also be a mental block to overcome, with Cronulla having fallen to their upcoming opponents 40-0 in their Round 7 encounter this year.
In that fixture, Otesa Pule was efficient as a prop for the Roosters. Expect her to fire and potentially continue a little late-season scoring run.
PREDICTION: Roosters by 12
BEST BET: Roosters first half handicap -4.5 ($1.97)
KARYN MURPHY MEDAL WINNER: Otesa Pule ($34)
- Joshua Mayne
