NRLW Team of the week: Round 3

The final round of the 2018 NRL Holden Women's Premiership produced two lop-sided results and a host of terrific individual performances.

Brisbane continued on their winning ways with a dominant 32-10 victory over the Warriors. The result set up effectively a grand final qualifier 24 hours later with the Sydney Roosters booking their place in the inaugural NRLW decider thanks to a 26-0 win against the Dragons.

Four players have remained in team of the week throughout all three regular season matches - Isabelle Kelly, Ali Brigginshaw, Brittany Breayley and Ngatokoturu Arakua - while nine players earned nominations for the first time in the final round.

Here is pan66.com's team of the week for round three:

1. Chelsea Baker (Brisbane Broncos) – Brushed off an early error that led to a try with a strong attacking game, always looking dangerous with the ball in hand. Kicked four goals in another leader-like performance from the mum of two.

2. Julia Robinson (Brisbane Broncos) – Bagged two tries and racked up eight tackle busts with 118 running metres. The Broncos winger is destined for higher honours following a rapid rise in 2018.

3. Hannah Southwell (St George Illawarra Dragons) – A dominant game from the NSW representative in a side that was kept scoreless. Southwell slotted into the centres with Sam Bremner missing and relished the opportunity to churn out 159 metres with 47 post-contact, five tackle busts and a line break. Put on a textbook tackle on Isabelle Kelly late in the loss for a rare team highlight.

4. Isabelle Kelly (Sydney Roosters) – She couldn't get on the try-scoring list for a third week in a row but still managed 19 carries and eight tackle breaks to help set up Taleena Simon tries twice in the Roosters' big win.

5. Taleena Simon (Sydney Roosters) – Got over the line four times to set a NRLW record. Finally got the opportunity to show her speed and agility with early ball after two quiet Roosters performances in the early rounds. Sets up a big battle with Julia Robinson in the inaugural grand final on Sunday.

6. Zahara Temara (Sydney Roosters) – Shifted from lock to start in the halves and looked at home outside Lavina O'Mealey. Missed five goals from six attempts in the only let down but couldn't be faulted with her overall performance.

7. Ali Brigginshaw (Brisbane Broncos) – A cool and calm performance from Brigginshaw with her third NRLW team of the week nomination. Has taken the Broncos captaincy with both hands to set up another two tries before being given an early mark with 20 minutes to go.

8. Ruan Sims (Sydney Roosters) – Looked more comfortable with a game under her belt to lead from the front with 105 running metres. Exactly the type of performance needed ahead the battle with Brisbane's forward pack next week.

9. Brittany Breayley (Brisbane Broncos) – Do we give her the female Dally M medal now? Topped the Broncos tackle count and split the defence up the middle for an individual four pointer. Put Rona Peters over for the first of the afternoon with a crisp pass close to the line.

10. Ngatokoturu Arakua (Brisbane Broncos) – Another nomination for the Kiwi Ferns international after a bullocking performance against the Warriors. The Broncos prop has made more metres than any other forward over the three-week competition and has proved hard to handle on each occasion with 64 post contact yardage on the weekend alone.

11. Tazmin Gray (Sydney Roosters) – Stood up tall opposite Jillaroos back-rowers Kezie Apps and Talesha Quinn with a strong possession rate in the Roosters' favour. Finished the game with 116 metres and five tackle busts.

12. Maitua Feterika (Brisbane Broncos) – Left the field late with a worrying knee injury but the damage on the paddock was already done by the Broncos forward with 109 metres from 10 carries to her name.

13. Simaima Taufa (Sydney Roosters) – Moved to lock and was of the best forwards on the paddock for the Tricolours despite continuing to battle a MCL injury. Missed seven tackles in her only downfall but remains one of the form forwards in the women's game.

14. Lavinia Gould (Brisbane Broncos) – Sharp and nippy around the ruck, Gould has been exceptional coming off the bench for the Broncos and takes the spine to a new level late in the game. She is fairly new to rugby league but at this point of the competition it doesn't look that way.

15. Aieshaleigh Smalley (NZ Warriors) – Got the Warriors on the board early and was one of the rare forwards who troubled the Broncos' defence with 95 metres in 41 minutes. A shining light for the Warriors over the last three weeks.

16. Heather Ballinger (Brisbane Broncos) – An experienced performance from the seasoned prop to set up an intriguing battle in the forwards next week against the Roosters. Had the legs motoring with 42 post-contact metres and set the tone for the side early.

17. Elianna Walton (Sydney Roosters) – Clicked into gear after a fortnight of frustration to accommodate Ruan Sims and Simaima Taufa's numbers with a strong overall game. Pulled off a couple of hits to rattle the Dragons pack and validate her position as one of the more feared forwards in the competition.