For the first time, the NRLW finals will feature a top-six format, expanding the series to three weeks.
The new structure provides more chances on the road to the grand final, which officially kicks off with an elimination doubleheader on Saturday.
Speaking to Wide World of Sports at the finals series launch on Tuesday, captains from the six qualifying teams were unanimous in their approval of the change.
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Ali Brigginshaw of the Broncos, Georgia Hale of the Titans, Tiana Penitani Gray of the Sharks, Yasmin Clydsdale of the Knights, Kirra Dibb of the Cowboys and Isabelle Kelly of the Roosters pose with the NRLW premiership trophy during the 2025 finals series launch. Mark Metcalfe via Getty Images
The players agreed that the expanded format will increase both opportunity and competitiveness, giving more teams a chance to vie for the trophy and ultimately leading to a higher quality of football.
The new layout also provides a crucial week one bye for the top two teams, the Roosters and the Broncos, who earned the week off after their dominant home and away seasons.
Broncos skipper Ali Brigginshaw sees the new structure as a step forward in the growth and development of the women’s game, while maintaining the all-or-nothing nature of finals football.
“It’s good to have more teams in the final series,” she said.
“We get the week off, but you know, it’s do-or-die now for the other teams.
“I think it should have always been like this, so it’s going to be nice for those teams to play out.
“I think we’re going to see the best footy now.Â
“I know people talk about the Broncos and the Roosters, but elimination-final footy can bring out anything, so I think those teams know they’re the underdogs, but I think you’re going to see some special performances.”
Watch the 2025 NRLW premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
Ali Brigginshaw and the Broncos are preparing for their finals campaign, which kicks off in week two. Mark Metcalfe via Getty Images
Brigginshaw also highlighted an unexpected bonus of the new format.
“Three and four get a home game. I didn’t realise that,” she said.
“So, that’s also a bonus for them.”
As the third-placed Knights prepare to host the sixth-placed Titans in Newcastle and the fourth-placed Cowboys face the fifth-placed Sharks in Townsville, Brigginshaw’s cheeky wish was for the teams to play out physically draining games.
“In fairness, just bash each other,” Brigginshaw said with a grin.
“That’s looking forward to seeing, but, you know, any team can do anything.
“There are big players in all of those teams, and they can either make or break a game.Â
“So, I know they’re people who play in big games and have big performances up their sleeves, but I’m just honestly hoping they just bash each other and tire each other out if I’m honest.”
Raecene McGregor of the Roosters is tackled by Ali Brigginshaw of the Broncos. Cameron Spencer via Getty Images
At 35 years of age, Brigginshaw sees having this weekend off as an advantage, particularly for herself and her team’s preparation, even if some of her younger teammates might have preferred to keep playing.
“I personally am loving the week off,” she said.
“I think it’s great for me, but some of the young guns, they probably want to keep playing.
“After the weekend, it was a big score, but playing at midday, you know, it takes it out of you, and then having to watch the men’s game, you know, that also was like a rollercoaster.Â
“I think it’s really good to just get a refresh, come together as a group, and really work hard on the little things we need to work on without the pressure of a game this week.Â
“The build ups to games, the adrenaline and everything, it can be quite exhausting.”
Roosters captain Isabelle Kelly agreed that a week’s break is a significant benefit before starting their finals campaign.
“We’ve got a few little niggles around our squad, but everyone’s doing fine,” she said.
Roosters captain Isabelle Kelly at the 2025 NRLW finals series launch. Mark Metcalfe via Getty Images
“Still, just that extra week I think is something that can play a massive advantage with feeling fresh, and also being able to see how the other teams match up and where we can really look at taking our strike.
“I think it’s exciting to sit back and watch the finals this week, and then you know build into the week when we get to play.”
Kelly believes every team in the series deserves to be there, citing the Cowboys as a prime example of a team that has benefited from the expansion.
“I think it’s great to see more teams able to put their hand up, I guess, to reach the end goal and lift that trophy, and I think all the teams that are here, in this final series, deserve to be here,” she said.
“I’ve loved watching how the Cowboys have done really well this year and really build their squad.”
Cowboys co-captain Kirra Dibb likes that her team has an opportunity to fight for the premiership, even as an underdog.
She hopes that the six-team finals format leads to a more competitive finals series, where anything can happen.
“A top six is such a perfect opportunity for teams to just make it [into the finals] and maybe smoky it,” Dibb said.
“We love the underdog tag, we love those kinds of opportunities, so I think it just gives more teams an opportunity, and I think it’s going to make it way more competitive.”
Kirra Dibb is leading the Cowboys into their first-ever NRLW finals campaign. Mark Metcalfe via Getty Images
Here is everything you need to know ahead of the NRLW finals series:
Final NRLW ladder
1. Roosters, (22, 11-0, 240)
2. Broncos, (20, 10-1, 288)
3. Knights, (14, 7-4, 55)
4. Cowboys, (14, 7-4, 10)
5. Sharks, (12, 6-5, 23)
6. Titans, (11, 5-1-5, -23)
How will the NRLW finals work in 2025?
The NRLW finals in 2025 will be a new, expanded format featuring six teams over three weeks. This is a change from the previous four-team, two-week format.
In the elimination finals, the third-place team plays the sixth-place team, and the fourth-place team takes on the fifth-place team. The winners move on, while the top two teams get a bye.
Then the top-ranked team hosts the winner of the 4th v 5th elimination game, while the second-ranked team hosts the winner of the 3rd v 6th match-up.
The two preliminary final winners face off for the premiership trophy on the same day as the NRL grand final at Sydney’s Accor Stadium.
What is the full schedule for the NRLW finals?
All times AEST
Week 1: Elimination finals
Saturday, September 20
2.30pm: Newcastle Knights (3rd) vs Gold Coast Titans (6th) at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
4:15pm: North Queensland Cowboys (4th) vs Cronulla Sharks (5th) at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville
Bye: Sydney Roosters (1st) and Brisbane Broncos (2nd)
Week 2: Preliminary finals
Saturday, September 27
7:45pm: Sydney Roosters (1st) vs the winner of Cowboys/Sharks at Polytec Stadium, Gosford
Sunday, September 28
1:15pm: Brisbane Broncos (2nd) vs the winner of Knights/Titans at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Week 3: Grand final
Sunday, October 5
3:55pm: Winner of preliminary final 1 vs winner of preliminary final 2 at Accor Stadium, Sydney
Who are the favourites to win the 2025 NRLW premiership?
The favourites to win the 2025 NRLW premiership are the Sydney Roosters ($1.80) and the Brisbane Broncos ($2.10) respectivelby, per SportsBet at the time of publishing. and $… respectively, per SportsBet at the time of publishing.
Who won the 2024 NRLW grand final?
The Sydney Roosters defeated the Cronulla Sharks 32-28 in last year’s decider.
Roosters five-eighth Tarryn Aiken was awarded the Karyn Murphy Medal as the best player on the field.
Sydney Roosters players and staff celebrate after winning the 2024 NRLW grand final. Quinn Rooney via Getty Images
Which club has won the most NRLW premierships?
The Brisbane Broncos have won the most NRLW premierships with three titles.
The Broncos were dominant in the league’s early years, winning the first three grand finals in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
The Roosters and Knights trail with two premierships each.
How to watch the NRLW finals
You can watch every game of the NRLW final series live and free on Nine and 9Now.