Vette-Welsh injured as Broncos end Parra's finals dream

Brisbane have secured the 2021 NRLW minor premiership and ended Parramatta's finals chances in the process with a thumping 38-4 win in the final round of the regular season on Sunday.

The Broncos were at their ruthless best against an Eels outfit left devastated by not only the result but a suspected serious knee injury to star fullback Botille Vette-Welsh in the first half.

The result means the Roosters will finish fourth, setting up a clash with the Broncos at Leichhardt next week, while the second-placed Dragons will take on the Titans at the suburban venue.

In just their second-ever home game at Suncorp Stadium, the Broncos enjoyed a massive 72 percent of possession in the first half to pile on three tries for a 16-4 lead.

Tries to Emily Bass and Amy Turner inside six minutes started the onslaught before the Eels hit back through prop Ellie Johnston on the edge.

Vette-Welsh's injury, however, took the wind out of the sails for the blue and gold, who struggled to gain any ascendency in attack with limited opportunities.

Brisbane extended their lead with a further five tries with Ali Brigginshaw's 54th minute effort ensuring the club finished on top of the ladder.

Match snapshot

• The Broncos secured their fourth straight NRLW minor premiership following the victory.
• The victory was the second biggest in NRLW history.
• The Broncos have conceded just eight points in two matches at Suncorp Stadium.
• The Broncos enjoyed 66% possession for the match.
• Eels fullback Botille Vette-Welsh left the field in the 16th minute with a suspected serious knee injury.
• Broncos prop Millie Boyle returned to the paddock in fantastic fashion with a 203-metre effort after missing last week's game due to COVID-19.
• Eels halfback Maddie Studdon left the field late with an ankle concern.

Play of the Game

Ali Brigginshaw hasn't been at her most dominant best this season but her try in the second half was a classic from the world's best player with a weaving effort ensuring her side secured the minor premiership. 

What they said

"Last week we certainly weren't ourselves so we wanted to express ourselves with some of the football we can play. Everyone was disappointed last week but I was really proud of them for not only bouncing back but the way they fought hard for each other. I thought we put on a really good performance today." - Broncos coach Kelvin Wright.

"We just didn't expect that and didn't want to end in that fashion. It was a tough job to come here but seemed to get harder with things going against us today. It's hard to take, we didn't deserve it. We've worked hard and come together as a group well. To have one of those awful footy days where you just fall apart, we didn't deserve that but we've got to take our lessons and learn from that." - Eels coach Dean Widders.

What's Next

The Broncos will meet the Roosters in next week's semi-finals at Leichhardt Oval while Parramatta's finals hopes were dashed following the result on Sunday.

Broncos fullback Tamika Upton is likely to be available despite contracting COVID-19 in the past week.

Parramatta finish the season with a 2-3 record and will be looking to improve on that in their second campaign later this year.

Several of Parramatta's players will return to their local state clubs from next week to begin preparations ahead of the Harvey Norman NSW Premiership kick-off in April.