Premiers Brisbane have kept their title defence alive with a dominant showing against the Knights in a record-equalling 40-16 victory at Totally Workwear Stadium.
Champion playmaker Ali Brigginshaw's farewell roadshow moves on to a preliminary next Sunday against the Gold Coast Titans as they chase back-to-back titles and their fifth overall.
The home side scored a try in the opening minute through Romy Teitzel and never relented, going to the break with a dominant 34-0 lead.
The Knights showed plenty of fight to score three late tries to make the final margin 24 points - the equal biggest margin in an NRLW finals match.
With the preliminary finals opponents now locked in, it's time to get your tickets to support your team.
Roosters v Raiders at 7.50pm on Saturday at Allianz Stadium.
Titans v Broncos at 1.05pm on Sunday at Cbus Super Stadium.
NRLW Finals Series tickets are on sale at www.nrl.com/tickets.
Follow the NRLW finals action on NRL.com's live blog below.
Broncos v Knights at Totally Workwear Stadium
Broncos v Knights - Finals Week 1, 2026
Match: Broncos v Knights
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Broncos
3rd Position
away Team
Knights
6th Position
Venue: Totally Workwear Stadium, Brisbane
Media conference
NRLW Press Conference: Broncos v Knights - Finals Week 1, 2026
No.1 gun: Tamika Upton was given an early mark with 20 minutes to go but still led both sides in run metres with 197 to go with three line breaks, three try assists and nine tackle breaks. Lock Lillian Yarrow racked up 188 metres from 19 runs while winger Georgia Bartlett tallied 141 run metres.
Total domination: The Broncos enjoyed 61 per cent of possession and completed 30 of 37 sets at 81 per cent. They ran for 1623 metres compared to Newcastle's 933 and had 17 more tackle breaks.
Full-time: The Broncos have put in a dominant performance to record a 40-6 win over the Knights.
Sidney Taylor Try
69th min: Back-to-back to the Knights as the game winds down, with Sidney Taylor going over in almost the same spot. Dibb's conversion swings to the right so the score remains 40-16.
Shanice Parker Try
67th min: Another try for the visitors, out on their right side through Shanice Parker who had work to do to get her way over the line. The Knights had forced a line-drop-out, took the short one on the left and worked over to the other side of the field. Kirra Dibb converts and it's 40-12.
55th min: This time it's an unsuccessful captain's challenge for the Knights who concede a penalty.
52nd min: A successful captain's challenge from the Knights after they were penalised for their play-the-ball. The Bunker finds interference.
49th min: Finally some points for the Knights who haven't given up despite being so far behind in the game. They get a prolonged period with the ball in their attacking zone and while Tiana Davison is held up initially, they get the ball out to their left edge where Mercedez Taulelei-Siala is able to run around to score. Kirra Dibb converts for 40-6.
Mercedez Taulelei-Siala Try
44th min: That didn't last for long however, with Brisbane finding another way to add to their tally. This time, it's just a short ball at the line to Kiwi Ferns prop Bri Clark who powers her way over the line, spinning her arms out of a tackle to dot the ball down. Southwell converts from in front and it's 40-0.
36th min: Relief for the Knights as the Broncos are denied a try to start the second half, with Ali Brigginshaw ruled to have knocked on under the posts in her attempt to ground the ball. Score remains 34-0.
35th min: Confirmation from the Broncos that Bree Spreadborough is out for the rest of the game with a suspected syndesmosis injury.
Half-time: A completely dominant first half from the Broncos who take a 34-0 lead to the sheds. They started their assault in the opening minute, scoring in the opening set and they have not let the foot off the pedal. Unsurprisingly, their big guns have fired, with Tamika Upton crossing for a try and setting up three more. Another former Knight Romy Teitzel has scored a double. The Broncos have had 70 percent of the possession with an 80 percent completion rate (16/20). The Knights have completed at 54 percent from their limited time with the ball (6/11).
32nd min: More joy for the Broncos, with Georgia Bartlett chasing through on an Upton chip ahead to get the ball down before the Knights defenders. Newcastle had rushed up to try and shut down the threat of the star fullback, but she was able to get away and put in the play. Southwell misses her first of the day so the score stays 34-0.
28th min: Injury alert - Broncos forward Bree Spreadborough comes from the field with a suspected right ankle injury.
24th min: Another former Knight goes over for a try against their old team with Tamika Upton proving too crafty from dummyhalf, looking to pass out to her right twice but all the while making her way forward to then go in behind to score another Broncos try. Southwell converts again from the left-hand side and it's 30-0.
22nd min: Injury alert - Sienna Yeo comes off for a HIA.
19th min: Injury alert - Romy Teitzel comes off for a HIA after falling heavily in scoring her try.
18th min: Broncos second rower Romy Teitzel has her second after following up on a break from Tamika Upton. The fullback took a pass from her halfback Southwell and made the break and with Lucy Spain in pursuit, Upton gets a ball back inside for the former Knight to catch and run in. Southwell converts once again and it's 24-0.
12th min: Another try to the home side, with Shannon Mato the latest to score - proving too strong with her burrow from dummy half. The Knights gave up possession with a goal-line drop-out going out on the full. Jada Ferguson goes herself from dummyhalf and is held up, but the Knights could not stop the prop who tried the very same move in the very next play. Southwell converts and it's 18-0.
6th min: Another error, more pressure and another try to the Broncos. Jillaroos winger Julia Robinson proves too hard to stop, stepping inside and stepping inside again to get her way to the line for Brisbane's second of the afternoon on the right side. Southwell converts again and it's 12-0.
Julia Robinson Try
1st min: A perfect start for the Broncos with Romy Teitzel crossing for the opening try. After they finished their first set, Jesse Southwell puts up a kick, with pressure from the Broncos, including a perfectly timed tackle from Julia Robinson forcing a knock on from Lucy Spain. The Brisbane second rower is there to pick up the scraps and runs in to score. Southwell converts and it's a 6-0 lead to the home side.
Kick off: The Knights kick off, giving the Broncos the first use of the ball.
Match preview
Broncos v Knights: Finals Week 1
Late Mail
Broncos: No changes on game day. An unchanged side for Scott Prince as the premiers look to keep their title defence alive. Former premiership winners at the Knights, Romy Teitzel (second row), Jesse Southwell (halfback) and skipper Tamika Upton (fullback) will have extra motivation against their old team. The 18th player is Reegan Hicks.
Knights: No changes on game day. A few adjustment made earlier this week with Tiana Davison returning to the line-up, named to start at prop. This moves Emily McArthur back to the bench. Forwards Amelia Pasikala and Simone Karpani both revert to the reserves, with young gun Stella Lewis named on the bench for her NRLW debut. No changes in Friday's 24-hour update. The 18th player is Lilly-Ann White.
