Tarryn Aiken scored late in the Roosters' preliminary-final win over Canberra, earning them a third consecutive grand final appearance.
The halfback is back after missing last year's decider against Brisbane, when she tore the anterior cruciate ligament in her right knee just before the finals.
The Roosters had gone unbeaten before losing 22-18, with Jocelyn Kelleher filling in alongside Corban Baxter.
Aiken, 27, said watching the loss was the hardest experience of her career. "I think career-wise, that was definitely the hardest part. Missing the finals last year, and then obviously the lengthy rehab as well," she said.
Teammate Taina Naividi also tore an ACL the day before the grand final. Aiken said, "On grand final day, I just wanted to be there more for Taina."
Aiken, a premiership winner with Brisbane in 2019 and 2020 and the Roosters in 2024, will reunite with Kelleher against the Broncos.
Brisbane veteran Ali Brigginshaw is retiring, while Roosters players Baxter and Millie Elliott are also ending their careers. "We obviously want to send them out on a high and on top," Aiken said.
The Roosters enter Sunday's final as undefeated minor premiers and beat Brisbane 34-20 in round seven.