Roosters Finish Undefeated Season With 42-12 Win, Claim Second Straight Minor Premiership

The Sydney Roosters finished the NRLW regular season undefeated on September 10, defeating Canterbury 42-12 at Allianz Stadium to claim their second consecutive minor premiership. The Roosters won all 11 matches and now hold a bye in week one of the six-team finals format. Canterbury led 12-10 at halftime but collapsed after centre Monica Tagoai was sent to the sin bin in the 48th minute, allowing Sydney to score six tries in 16 minutes and run away with the match.

How the sin bin changed everything

Canterbury held a shocking 12-10 lead at halftime, with the Bulldogs dominating early and scoring tries through Monica Tagoai and Andie Robinson. The momentum swung entirely in the 48th minute when referee Karra-Lee Nolan sent Tagoai to the bin for a hip-drop tackle on halfback Tarryn Aiken. The decision came after a grubber kick forced a goal-line drop-out, not immediately after the tackle itself.

During Tagoai’s 10-minute absence, the Roosters scored four tries to lead 26-12. Brad Fittler and Ruan Sims both questioned the call on air, with Fittler saying the contact was minimal and Sims arguing it should have been a penalty, not a sin bin. Aiken played out the match uninjured.

Roosters dominate second half with star performances

Once Tagoai returned from the bin, the Roosters had already seized control. Centre Jess Sergis scored twice and finished with a competition-leading 15 tries for the season. Front-rower Otesa Pule also scored twice. Captain Isabelle Kelly played her 50th game and set up a crucial try for prop Millie Elliott during the second-half surge.

Fullback Corban Baxter left the field at halftime for a head injury assessment and did not return. Despite his absence, the Roosters’ attack proved too strong, scoring eight tries to Canterbury’s two.

What the minor premiership means for finals

The Roosters’ undefeated run marks only the first time since 2020 that a team has finished the regular season without a loss. They have now won 29 of their past 30 matches across two seasons. Sydney will enjoy a bye in week one of the six-team finals format, giving them extra recovery time before the finals push.

Canterbury finished ninth and will not play finals. Coach Brayden Wiliame departed after the loss, with Mark O’Meley taking over in 2027. Despite the heavy defeat, the Bulldogs showed attacking intent throughout, with five-eighth Andie Robinson and winger Simina Lokotui both impressing.

Roosters hunt grand final redemption

The Roosters lost last year’s grand final, and coach John Strange has made it clear that the minor premiership is only the first step. The team’s ruthless defence and attacking class have set them apart all season. With a fresh squad and momentum heading into finals, Sydney will be favoured to go one step further and claim the 2026 NRLW premiership on October 4.

Final Thoughts

The Roosters’ undefeated season showcases their dominance, but the controversial sin bin raises questions about consistency in officiating. Sydney’s path to redemption in the grand final begins with their bye week.

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