After a shaky start to the season with back-to-back losses, the Broncos went on to win seven straight games to claim the minor premiership, while the Sharks have lost their way in recent weeks after a red-hot opening to their year.
Cronulla powered out of the blocks to post six wins on the trot, but leading into this week's final, they have lost their last three games to move from top spot to fourth on the ladder.
However, despite their recent run, Brisbane will not be underestimating a side stacked with stars like skipper Tiana Penitani and Emma Tonegato who would love nothing more than to upset the three-time premiership winners on their home turf.
NRLW SportsBet Betting Preview - Broncos v Sharks
The last time they met in Round 8, it took a last-minute power run from Chelsea Lenarduzzi to score the match-winner for the Broncos, so they know they are in for a good challenge.
The venue Totally Workwear Stadium is on track for a sell-out, so it is set to be a buzzing atmosphere fitting of finals footy on Sunday.
Match: Broncos v Sharks
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Broncos
1st Position
away Team
Sharks
4th Position
Venue: Totally Workwear Stadium, Brisbane
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Broncos: Minor premiers the Broncos have named an unchanged line-up for their knock-out final against the Sharks, with skipper Ali Brigginshaw right to go after playing down a reported sternum injury. Goal-kicking second rower Romy Teitzel has also been named to start, despite not being able to finish the second half of the win over the Dragons after an injury that initially thought to be a nerve issue in her back and hip. Tazmin Rapana is in the extended reserves if Teitzel is later ruled out.
Sharks: Tongan international Tegan Dymock has been named to start at prop in place of the suspended Holli Wheeler. Her elevation from the bench brings Chloe Saunders into the 17. Rhiannon Byers and Brooke Anderson have both been named to start, despite suffering game-ending injuries in the loss to Wests Tigers. Byers was assisted from the field with a knee injury, while Anderson underwent a HIA after a hit which also impacted her jaw. Rugby converts Sharni Smale and Dominique du Toit are amongst the extended reserves while Nakia Davis-Welsh has been named as the replacement player in 19.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Hayley MaddickFullback for Sharks is number 1 Emma Tonegato
-
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Julia RobinsonWinger for Sharks is number 2 Cassie Staples
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Centre for Broncos is number 3 Mele HufangaCentre for Sharks is number 3 Tiana Penitani
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Centre for Broncos is number 4 Shenae CiesiolkaCentre for Sharks is number 4 Annessa Biddle
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Winger for Broncos is number 5 Lauren DamWinger for Sharks is number 5 Georgia Ravics
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Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Gayle BroughtonFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Georgia Hannaway
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Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Ali BrigginshawHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Tayla Preston
Forwards
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Prop for Broncos is number 8 Brianna ClarkProp for Sharks is number 8 Ellie Johnston
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Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jada FergusonHooker for Sharks is number 9 Quincy Dodd
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Prop for Broncos is number 10 Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausalaProp for Sharks is number 10 Tegan Dymock
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Mariah Denman2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Talei Holmes
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2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Romy Teitzel2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Rhiannon Byers
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Lock for Broncos is number 13 Keilee JosephLock for Sharks is number 13 Brooke Anderson
Interchange
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Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Destiny BrillInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Filomina Hanisi
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Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Chelsea LenarduzziInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Chloe Saunders
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Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Lavinia GouldInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Vanessa Foliaki
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Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Tafito LafaeleInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Manilita Takapautolo
Reserves
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Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Skyla AdamsReplacement for Sharks is number 19 Nakia Davis-Welsh
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Reserve for Broncos is number 19 Tazmin RapanaReserve for Sharks is number 20 Sharni Smale
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Reserve for Broncos is number 20 Jasmine FogaviniReserve for Sharks is number 21 Dominique du Toit
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Reserve for Broncos is number 21 Ashleigh WernerReserve for Sharks is number 22 Pia Tapsell
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Reserve for Broncos is number 22 Bree SpreadboroughReserve for Sharks is number 23 Leki Leilua
Broncos Ins
- Ashleigh Werner
- Bree Spreadborough
- Jasmine Fogavini
- Tazmin Rapana
Sharks Ins
- Chloe Saunders
- Dominique du Toit
- Leki Leilua
- Pia Tapsell
- Sharni Smale
Broncos Outs
Sharks Ins
- Holli Wheeler
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Broncos have won two from two against the Sharks.
- Sharks winger Georgia Ravics and prop Ellie Johnston have scored in both games against the Broncos.
- Broncos five-eighth Gayle Broughton has scored three tries in two games against the Sharks.
- The Sharks play their first finals match after losing their last three games.
- The Broncos have averaged 30 points per game this season.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
