Roosters Capture 2025 NRLW Title as Tarryn Aiken Returns to Form

The Sydney Roosters clinched the 2025 NRLW premiership after a decisive try by halfback Tarry Aiken in the grand final against Brisbane.

The Sydney Morning Herald

Throughout the campaign the Roosters remained unbeaten, trailing for a combined 70 minutes and two seconds—all of which occurred largely in a round-three loss-in-spirit match in Canberra. That game prompted the squad to “wipe the whiteboard clean” and refocus on core strengths. The adjustment paid off, as the team progressed through a 20-10 preliminary-final win over the Raiders and entered the grand final with confidence in Aiken’s playmaking.

The Sydney Morning Herald

Aiken missed the 2024 finals after rupturing her ACL in the final regular-season round. The Roosters subsequently fell to Brisbane in the decider, losing in the final five minutes. Teammate Jocelyn Kelleher described the absence as “insanely hard” given Aiken’s season-long influence. The injury was cited as the primary factor behind the previous year’s defeat, underscoring the significance of her full-season availability in 2025.

The Sydney Morning Herald

Team captain Isabelle Kelly reiterated that the Roosters are strongest when Aiken directs play, praising her game-reading and attacking creativity. Teammate Olivia Kernick noted that Aiken’s on-field demeanor is usually calm, but her rare “sprays” signal collective errors, emphasizing the learning derived from the early-season setback. Aiken herself reflected on the rehabilitation period, calling it “the hardest part” of her career and expressing relief at contributing to the title win.

The Sydney Morning Herald

• “I think we probably learnt a lot about ourselves in that game, and what works for us as a team,” — Tarryn Aiken

The Sydney Morning Herald

• “To lose your halfback two weeks out from a grand final, it’s obviously insanely hard considering we had her all year,” — Getty Images Jocelyn Kelleher

The Sydney Morning Herald

• “It was a tough week for me, personally, missing out on finals and the grand final,” — Tarryn Aiken

The Sydney Morning Herald