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Sport
Joel Gould

Brisbane through to their fifth NRLW grand final

Brisbane are into another NRLW grand final after beaten the Titans in the preliminary finals. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

Defending premiers Brisbane are through to another NRLW grand final showdown with Sydney Roosters after ending the dream run of the Gold Coast in the preliminary final.

The Broncos won 20-8 away at Robina to secure their fifth win in a row and qualify for their fifth grand final. They have won all four that they have contested.

The showdown next Sunday will be Broncos legend Ali Brigginshaw's final match before retiring.

NRLW
The brilliant career of Ali Brigginshaw continues for another week and another NRLW grand final. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

Last year the Broncos beat the Roosters 22-18.

Broncos coach Scott Prince said "going back to the grand final" was one of the goals the team set at the start of the year.

The Broncos romped to a 20-4 lead in a four-try opening half on Sunday afternoon when they dominated in every area.

"When you play finals footy the starts of games set you up and the girls have been able to do that the last three weeks," Prince said.

NRLW
Tamika Upton was a big part of Brisbane's performance and scored their opening try. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

Titans lock Sienna Lofipo was ruled out of the match with a suspected broken jaw late in the half in a huge blow.

The big game experience of in-form Broncos trio Tamika Upton, Jesse Southwell and Romy Teitzel came to the fore as the hosts wilted under the pressure.

"I am just so proud of people like Meeks (Upton) and the rest of our leadership group, but also the young kids who made their debuts and played really well against strong opposition," he said.

Upton, from fullback, was too elusive and strong to score the opening try when she beat three Titans with a step and a surge.

NRLW
Romy Teitzel scored the Broncos' second try. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

The discipline of the hosts, who had won their previous 10 matches in a row, let them down early with three penalties and they paid the price.

Halfback Southwell turned second-rower Teitzel back on the inside and she raced through a giant hole.

A stunning cutout pass by Titans second-rower and standout player Evania Isa'ako close to the line got the hosts on the board with winger Destiny Mino-Sinapati diving over in the corner.

Gold Coast's numbering in defence inside their quarter line was all at sea in the first half and it was too easy for Upton to put back-rower Lauren Dam over.

NRLW
Jesse Southwell of the Broncos reacts with try scorer Lauren Dam (11) as they ran over the Titans. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

Teitzel turned creator and powerhouse winger Julia Robinson, who had a blinder, was on the end of it and the Titans were on the rack.

Coach Karyn Murphy said the team's start was "not us".

"Losing Sienna, who does a lot of our ball playing through the middle third, we had to adjust," she said.

"But I was super proud of them in the second half, just the fight and the effort to go right through to the siren."

Evania Isa'ako
Evania Isa'ako's outstanding game wasn't enough to get the Titans into the NRLW grand final. (Dave Hunt/AAP PHOTOS)

Isa'ako collected her own ricocheted grubber kick to give the Titans a sniff after the break but Brisbane's defence on their line was too good.

Titans fullback Lily Patston also had an early finish when she went off with a category one HIA in the second half.

The Titans had a great season but will be disappointed after failing to hit their straps in their biggest game of the season.

"They are hurting. We had a goal to get through to the GF but it is our job to remind them of the season that was," Murphy said.

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