Defending premiers Newcastle meet the Broncos for a place in the 2023 decider at McDonald Jones Stadium on Sunday in a clash that is expected to go down to the wire with two in-form teams.
The Knights finished on top of the Telstra Women's Premiership ladder for the first time in their club history but face a Broncos side that has clicked in the final half of the season to become genuine title contenders.
Brisbane were once the juggernauts of the NRLW, a mantle the Knights could start to hold should they go on to claim back-to-back titles, while the Roosters will have something to say about that in their other semi-final against the Titans.
The Broncos will take plenty away from when the two sides last met in Round 5 with Scott Prince's side getting to a 16-4 lead before surrendering in the final 15 minutes of the match to concede three tries.
The battle between Ali Brigginshaw and Jesse Southwell will go a long way towards victory while shutting down Tamika Upton will be No.1 priority on the Broncos' list after failing to do so last match.
Regardless of which way the result goes, the Knights having the chance to defend their title on grand final day or the Broncos being back in the big dance will be notable storylines on October 1.
Match: Knights v Broncos
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Knights
1st Position
away Team
Broncos
4th Position
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
Team news
Knights: No further changes after Rima Butler joined the bench on Saturday afternoon, with the forward to make her return from a thumb injury in the must-win clash. Jesse Southwell (leg) and Sheridan Gallagher (knee) are good to go, while Georgia Roche is back at five-eighth after being rested against the Wests Tigers. Jacinta Carter is the player to make way on the bench following Butler's return and is instead the replacement player.
Broncos: No late changes to Scott Prince's squad, which in the same as that which beat the Dragons last week. Chelsea Lenarduzzi accepted a $400 fine for Dangerous Contact and is free to play.
Match: Knights v Broncos
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Knights
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika UptonFullback for Broncos is number 1 Hayley Maddick
-
Winger for Knights is number 2 Sheridan GallagherWinger for Broncos is number 2 Julia Robinson
-
Centre for Knights is number 3 Shanice ParkerCentre for Broncos is number 3 Mele Hufanga
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Centre for Knights is number 4 Abigail RoacheCentre for Broncos is number 4 Shenae Ciesiolka
-
Winger for Knights is number 5 Jasmin StrangeWinger for Broncos is number 5 Ashleigh Werner
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Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Georgia RocheFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Gayle Broughton
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Halfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse SouthwellHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Ali Brigginshaw
Forwards
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Prop for Knights is number 8 Tayla PredebonProp for Broncos is number 8 Tafito Lafaele
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Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia HigginsHooker for Broncos is number 9 Destiny Brill
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Prop for Knights is number 10 Caitlan JohnstonProp for Broncos is number 10 Brianna Clark
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2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Laishon Albert-Jones2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Tazmin Gray
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2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Romy Teitzel
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Lock for Knights is number 13 Hannah SouthwellLock for Broncos is number 13 Mariah Denman
Interchange
-
Interchange for Knights is number 14 Nita MaynardInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Lavinia Gould
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Interchange for Knights is number 15 Tiana DavisonInterchange for Broncos is number 15 Jasmine Fogavini
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Interchange for Knights is number 16 Kayla RomaniukInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Chelsea Lenarduzzi
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Interchange for Knights is number 20 Rima ButlerInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Lauren Dam
Reserves
-
Replacement for Knights is number 17 Jacinta CarterReplacement for Broncos is number 18 Jada Ferguson
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Broncos have not beaten the Knights since the 2021 season.
- Brisbane (256) scored more points than the Knights (224) in the regular season.
- Broncos centre Mele Hufanga has 14 linebreaks in nine games.
- Knights fullback Tamika Upton (2,016 metres) has ran more yardage than any other player in 2023.
- Knights centres Abigail Roache and Shanice Parker have the equal highest amount of errors in the competition with 16 each.
- Broncos lock Mariah Denman (53) has missed more tackles than any other player in the competition.
