St George-Illawarra won the very first NRLW semi-final against competition newbies Gold Coast Titans on Sunday making it back to the promised land for the first time since 2019.
Rookie coach Jamie Soward turning the 2020 wooden spooners into Grand Finalists, who overcame a slow start to prevail at the hallowed Leichhardt Oval in front 1,734, and their 18-point second-half buffer enough to hold on.
A late Titans’ surge with two tries in the final five minutes, closing the gap to six with 20 seconds remaining, including the second to 40-year-old veteran Steph Hancock, and despite the unexpected nerves, the Dragons progressed 24-18.
After challenging reigning champions Brisbane Broncos for top spot all season, the Dragons confirmed top two billing booking their spot in the decider next Sunday, at Redcliffe.
Under bright, sunny skies 40-year-old veteran and 20-Test Jillaroos great Stephanie Hancock stormed over the line to post the opening points, showing some fleet of foot that belied her age, followed by her second in the final minute to keep the light flickering.
With captain Kezie Apps, stand out fullback Emma Tonegato flicked the switch mid-way through the first half, both exceeding 100 run metres.
Apps with 114 Tonegato’s fourth try of the season gave the second-placed Dragons the half-time lead.
Two returning of their stars made significant impact for the Dragons. Jaime Chapman’s showed no signs of last week’s head knock scoring the victors’ third, and in concert with her side’s defiant defence, the goal-kicking of halfback Rachael Pearson ensured the scores did not closer than they need be, kicking three from four.
Nearing full-time, there were concussion concerns over Jaime Chapman at full-time.
The Dragons entered the semi-final with competition’s best defence conceding less than 10 points in the five round matches bettering that on Sunday, as focus turns towards the club’s second NRLW Grand Final.
PELITE LATE INCLUSION TO NO AVAIL
Australian Olympic Gold Medallist and super star back Evania Pelite was a late inclusion in the centres for the Titans after an ankle injury cast real doubt over her involvement during the week with instant effect for Gold Coast.
The 26-year-old former rugby sevens player had played most of the season at fullback but was shifted to the centres and showed no signs of being hampered early with a last ditch try-saving tackle on winger Teagan Berry.
But the Dragons’ relentless charge made the effort unfortunately irrelevant. Fellow Rio 2016 Sevens gold medallist, opposing No. 1 Emma Tonegato, coming out on top.
Tonegato, 27, posted 157 run metres with 48b post contact and compared to Pelite’s 107 and 29 out wide.
SOWARD MAKES GF IN ROOKIE SEASON
The former NRL half and 2010 Premiership winner Jamie Soward signed as the Dragons’ NRLW Coach in October replacing another Dragons’ half Mat Head and has taken his winless side in 2020 to the deciding match of the first NRLW season in 2022.
Enduring what he described in his own words was the “torture” in the week leading up to Sunday, his team maintained the defence and contact he has emphasised all season.
Soward played 215 games for the Roosters, Dragons and Penrith during his distinguished NRL career under premiership winning coaches Ricky Stuart, Wayne Bennett and Ivan Cleary. After next Sunday, he may be able to add his name to that list.
FAREWELL FOR HANCOCK, PERHAPS?
When she opened the scoring for her Titans’ it appeared that NRLW great Steph Hancock may be set for a fairytale farewell in a Grand Final.
While, Hancock has not said one way or the other, and there is every chance she goes around again, but at 40 there is also every chance Sunday was the last time we saw ending an almost two decade career the former Jillaroo.
Hancock came out of retirement of be one of Gold Coast’s marquee signings in their inaugural season starting almost all games after intimating at the start of the season she would be filling mostly a bench role.
Passing her HIA, she returned to the field to finish with the same spirit she was demonstrated throughout her decorated career.
ROOSTERS DOWN THREE-TIME PREMIERS
The Sydney Roosters have produced perhaps the greatest upset in NRLW history defeating the all-conquering, red-hot favourite Brisbane Broncos 22-16 in the second semi-final on Sunday.
After a fast start for the Broncos shot them out to 16-0, inside the first 16 minutes at Leichhardt Oval, the Roosters came back with a vengeance scoring 22 unanswered points to storm past the three-time champions.
Before Sunday, the Broncos had lost just two games in the four season-history of NRLW the most recent coming in round four against the Gold Coast Titans 28-26 in round four. The history books can now make that three on the first weekend of semi-finals in the competition’s four-year history.
In different ways, the dynamic centre pairing of Jess Sergis and Isabell Kelly were brave and brilliant, adding to the impetus provided by the forward pack that laid the platform.
Adding to the depth of the upset was the round one between the two sides which saw the Broncos home 20-4, and in a further twist of fate, the Roosters needed the Broncos to defeat Parramatta by 16 or more last week to qualify for the finals’ series.
A favour the Broncos now wish they hadn’t granted despite the 38-4 win over Parramatta.
A mistake from winger Emily Bass deep inside her own half, early in the second half, was a clear signal all was not going to script for Brisbane. Then when 20-year-old rookie forward Keilee Joseph carried defenders over the line with less than 20 minutes to go, scores were tied at 16 and all the momentum was with the Roosters.
The panic button was firmly hit when bench player Jocelyn Kelleher forced her way over the line for the biggest of underdogs. A Tarry Aiken kick out on the full with less than five remaining confirmed the horror show.
The Roosters had won just two matches all season to qualify for the semis and have qualified for their third NRLW Grand Final.
SERGIS BRAVE, KELLY BRILLIANT
Returning from injury, centre Jess Sergis performed a crucial second one-on-one steal in the closing minutes on second rower Kaitlyn Phillips that ultimately sealed it.
The 24-year-old NSW origin representative and 2019 Golden Boot winner was in a moon boot just two weeks ago for her side’s thrilling one-point win over Parramatta which ultimately proved the difference between finals and not for her new side.
Sergis will now get the opportunity to tick off an NRLW premiership next Sunday in Redcliffe. She finished with 79 run metres and 15 tackles in her return match, but nothing could match her centre partner Isabelle Kelly who ran for 142 metres, made 17 tackles and scored a vital first half try to open the Roosters’ account.
Only Broncos enforcer up front Millie Boyle could better that with 177 run metres.
UPTON MAKES QUIET RETURN
Fullback Tamika Upton returns to the starting line-up after a bout of COVID-19 failed to make the impact normally expected of her.
The 25-year-old from Rockhampton had not played since round three, through a head knock and then COVID-19, forced into isolation for the 34-point win over Parramatta.
Upton’s 100% NRLW winning record destroyed in stunning upset with the fullback finishing with just 32 run metres early in the second half, and finished with 98 as things got desperate.
