MONDAY'S EXPERT - 2024 NRLW Round 3

A full wrap-up of Round 3 of the NRLW with reports from our contributors and stats from Rugby League Project.

All listed times are AEST (NSW/QLD/VIC/ACT).

RELATED: See the full list of 2024 NRL Telstra Women's Premiership Draw and Results.

Roosters show their class as they outmuscled the gritty Tigers

with AJ Lucantonio

An unanswered 20 point second half from the Sydney Roosters was enough to guide the Tri-Colours to back to back wins over a brave and determined Wests Tigers side. 

In a match that will be remembered for its defence. Both sides had a lot of chances to score the opening try. Every chance the Roosters had seemed to be answered thanks to some brilliant scramble defence from the Tigers. 

Wests were rewarded with their defence by crossing for the first try. A disastrous short drop-out after waves of Tigers possession saw Leianne Turuva pick up the loose ball and find Tess Staines who raced away to score. The Tigers luck did desert them however losing three players through injury, the most notable being Kezzie Apps but they still led 4-0 at the break. 

The Tigers continued their scramble in defence denying the Roosters at will. A brilliant bit of hot potato footy got the Roosters level, Jasmine Strange scrambled on a loose pass to put Jayme Fressard away down the left sideline to level the scores. Fatigue began to set in as the Tigers were low on troops, but despite this they kept turning up for each-other. The Roosters dominated second half field position but at every opportunity, the Tigers held them. 

Eventually, the pressure took its toll with 10 to play. Some great enterprising footy down the left saw Keeley Davis brought down 10 out from the line. Off the ensuing play, Olivia Kernick charged across to put the Roosters in front. Jocelyn Kellagher added the extras to make it a converted try lead. 

The Roosters were concerned with potential knee injury to Jess Sergis after being taken awkwardly in a Sarah Togatuki tackle with 5 and a half to go. However, she put that aside to break away down the left touch line to put the game out of reach. A late Fressard try put the exclamation mark on what was a gritty Roosters win. The score-line didn't reflect what was a brave Tigers effort as they were low on troops for most of the second half.

Sydney Roosters (W) 20 Wests Tigers (W) 4
Venue: Industree Group Stadium, Gosford / Darkinjung

Date: Sat, 10th August.   Kickoff: 11:00 AM.   Halftime: Wests Tigers (W) 4-0.   Penalties: Wests Tigers (W) 10-6.   Referee: Karra-Lee Nolan.   Crowd: 1,898.

Sydney (W): Bremner, Fressard, Sergis, Strange, Wood; Kelly (C), Aiken; Elliott, Davis, Hopoate, Hall, Kernick, Kelleher. Int: Pule, Nasio, Economos, Hill-Moana.
Wests Tigers (W): Vette-Welsh (C), Crichton, Tufuga, Horne, Staines; Piliae-Rasabale, Lutu; Togatuki, Nour, Pio, Apps, McGlone, George. Int: Curtain, Reinke, Penitani, Talataina.

Sydney Roosters (20)
Tries: Jayme Fressard 2, Jessica Sergis, Olivia Kernick
Goals: Jocelyn Kelleher 2/4

Wests Tigers (4)
Tries: Tess Staines

Raiders fade as Sharks go on second-half frenzy

with Andy P

The Canberra Raiders gave up an 8-0 half-time lead at GIO Stadium, folding to an unrelenting Cronulla Sharks second-half comeback. 

An arm wrestle was developing in the opening quarter of the game, but the deadlock was finally broken when Madison Barlett went over in the 14th minute. Shakiah Tungai slotted the side-line conversion, and it was 6-0 for the home side.

The Sharks were doing themselves no favours as they gave back-to-back penalties as play resumed. The Raiders took advantage of a penalty close to the goal, and Tungai slotted her second conversion of the day to stretch the lead. It looked like the Raiders' day, when they were showing great resolve on the line and in play to stem the flow of the Sharks' pressure.

The second half opened the best way it could for the Raiders as a line break by Mackenzie Wiki laid the way for a movement left at the Sharks line, with Madison Bartlett nabbing her second try. With the conversion missed it was looking like the Raiders were in the flow at 12-0.

It took some inspiring work from the Sharks captain, Tianan Penitani, to spark a Sharks revival. The Sharks pounced on back-to-back Raiders errors and stormed up their left edge with Penitani dragging three Raiders over to open up the scoring for the Sharks in the 45th minute.

It was another error five minutes later that the Sharks used to set up a play down their right side. Annessa Biddle finished off the move by going over to put the game at 12-8 at minute 52.

It may have been fatigue that was unhinging the Raiders, but they kept giving up territory for undisciplined play. After three penalties in a row, the Sharks were on too much of a roll and prop Holli Wheeler barged over to tie the game up. After Tayla Preston got the conversion, the Sharks finally hit the lead in the 56th minute, 14-12.

From here, it was a feeding frenzy, as Nakia Davis-Welsh went over a minute later and then Ellie Johnston in the 62nd minute to put the score at 24-12 after Preston converted.

The game wrapped up, and Raiders coach Darrin Brothwicjk conceded the lost the battle in the ruck in the middle third. He had been happy with the first-half effort but wasn't sure why the team lost focus in the second.

Sharks coach Tony Herman was full of praise for his team, and a second-half comeback like that showed great resolve in the team's ranks, setting them up as contenders this year.

The Sharks face off against the Newcastle Knights next round at PointsBet Stadium in a clash that promises a great game as both teams are on big winning streaks.

The Raiders travel north to Suncorp next week to take on the Broncos, with both of those teams looking to get form quickly for the short season.

Canberra Raiders (W) 12 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (W) 24
Venue: GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce / Ngunnawal

Date: Sat, 10th August.   Kickoff: 12:45 PM.   Halftime: Canberra (W) 8-0.   Penalties: Canberra (W) 9-6.   Referee: Kasey Badger.   Crowd: 5,831.

Canberra (W): Nicholls-Pualau, Bartlett, Robins-Reti, Wiki, Tungai; Temara (C), Quinlan; Kelly-Sines, Temara, Holyman, Soliola, Dodd, Taufa. Int: Barnes, Kemp, Matua, Naitokatoka.
Cronulla (W): Staples, Davis-Welsh, Penitani (C), Biddle, Ravics; Hannaway, Preston; Johnston, Dodd, Wheeler, Holmes, Byers, Anderson. Int: Foliaki, Saunders, Takapautolo, Dymock.

Canberra Raiders (12)
Tries: Madison Bartlett 2
Goals: Shakiah Tungai 2/2

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (24)
Tries: Nakia Davis-Welsh, Holli Wheeler, Tiana Penitani, Ellie Johnston, Annessa Biddle
Goals: Tayla Preston 2/5

Eels grab second win over Cowboys

with Josh Robertson

The Parramatta Eels took their second win of the NRLW season following a 20-6 win over the Cowboys in Brisbane on Sunday.

Things started well for the visitors who opened the scoring through Rosie Kelly as the Eels looked to shift right and Kelly split two defenders before keeping herself up to slam the ball down. Rachael Pearson converted from near touch to give Parra a 6-0 lead. The Cowboys struck back not long after when Emma Manzelmann straightened the attack and put China Polata through to score. 

A quickfire double to Rosemary Beckett on either side of half time put the Eels clear by 10 points with the first coming when the Eels dummy half elected to run the ball down the short side on last tackle and with the defence standing off ran through and got the ball down. The second was again a dummy half dart from Beckett who threw a dummy but then went through a yawning gap.

The Cowboys had an effort to Fran Goldthorp denied when the officials correctly ruled a pass from Kirra Dibb to her winger to be forward which was one of the only real chances for North Queensland in the second half. 

Just shy of the hour mark, a sharp change of direction saw Abbi Church beat the Cowboys defence and get over. Despite the conversion miss, the Eels lead 20-6 which they held onto until full time.

North Queensland Cowboys (W) 6 Parramatta Eels (W) 20
Venue: Totally Workwear Stadium, Coorparoo / Turrbal

Date: Sun, 11th August.   Kickoff: 12:00 PM.   Halftime: Parramatta (W) 12-6.   Penalties: Parramatta (W) 7-5.   Referee: Daniel Luttringer.   Crowd: 1,393.

North Qld (W): Blackwell, Goldthorp, Whitfeld, Peters, Surha; Tillett, Dibb (C); Peacock, Manzelmann, Banu, Polata, Raftstrand-Smith, Chester. Int: Harden, Foord, Mooka, Yarrow.
Parramatta (W): Church, Fay, Owen, Kelly, Donovan; Tohi-Hiku, Pearson; Albert, Todhunter, Jones, Jackson, Murphy (C), Cherrington. Int: Beckett, Amiatu, Fonua, Kennard.

North Queensland Cowboys (6)
Tries: China Polata
Goals: Kirra Dibb 1/1

Parramatta Eels (20)
Tries: Rosemarie Beckett 2, Abbi Church, Rosie Kelly
Goals: Rachael Pearson 2/4

Broncos bounce back to beat their "little sister", record first win

with Beth Nicholls

The Titans had won their first two games of the season, whilst the Broncos were still searching for their first win, and they finally found it. 

There were superstars across the field for the Broncos, with centre Mele Hufanga scoring four tries, equalling her total 2023 season tally, Gayle Broughton making her long-awaited return in the halves, and new signing Stacey Waaka making her Broncos debut after winning the gold medal with the NZ rugby sevens just weeks ago. 

The first half was all the Broncos show, completing 17 of 18 sets and scoring four tries. This started witjh speedy Julia Robinson scoring her third try in three games this season, then Destiny Brill getting her first try of the season. Hufanga then finally got her first for the season after previous tries being ruled out due to forward passes and obstruction, before she then went over for her second just 5 minutes later. 

Going into the halftime break, Brisbane was dominating with a score line of 22-0, and the Titans were just struggling to get anything going. 

A combination try between the Bronco veteran Ali Brigginshaw and fullback Hayley Maddick started off the scoring in the second half just three minutes in. 

After forty minutes of play it finally looked like the Titans got their first points on the board through winger Georgia Grey, but the try was overruled by the Bunker due to a knock-on. 

The Broncos onslaught then didn't stop, with Romy Teitzel getting her first try of the season after a linebreak from golden girl Waaka, which was then followed by a long distance try by Hufanga. 

The Gold Coast side then finally get their first (and only) points of the match in the 50th minute, through a kick and try to halfback, Lauren Brown.

Hufanga then crosses over for a fourth time to give the Broncos a 40-point lead over "lil sis", which sees her equal the NRLW and club record for tries scored in one match, for the second time in her career. 

This game broke records for both sides, with it being Brisbane's biggest win margin, with their previous record being 34 points, whilst it was the Titan's biggest loss, with their prior heaviest defeat being only 26 points. 

The Titans now look to next week where they play their other QLD rivals, the Cowboys, who have only won one game so far this season. For the winner, the Broncos prepare themselves to take on the Raiders who sit just below them on the ladder, with only points differential currently separating them. 

Brisbane Broncos (W) 44 Gold Coast Titans (W) 4
Venue: Totally Workwear Stadium, Coorparoo / Turrbal

Date: Sun, 11th August.   Kickoff: 1:45 PM.   Halftime: Brisbane (W) 22-0.   Penalties: 5-all.   Referee: Nick Pelgrave.   Crowd: 1,788.

Brisbane (W): Maddick, Robinson, Hufanga, Ciesiolka, Waaka; Broughton, Brigginshaw (C); Joseph, Ferguson, Lenarduzzi, Gray, Teitzel, Fogavini. Int: Dam, Brill, Lafaele, Gould.
Gold Coast (W): Pelite, Grey, Chapman, Williams-Guthrie, Bass; Fuimaono, Brown; Mato, Breayley-Nati, Clarke, Elliston, Bent, Hale (C). Int: Kolc, Maunsell, Perese, Arakua.

Brisbane Broncos (44)
Tries: Mele Hufanga 4, Julia Robinson, Romy Teitzel, Hayley Maddick, Destiny Brill
Goals: Romy Teitzel 6/8

Gold Coast Titans (4)
Tries: Lauren Brown

Dragons on the board after gritty away win

with Tim Costello

St George Illawarra have upset Newcastle in a dramatic Sunday night contest away from home at McDonald Jones Stadium.

A healthy 9,479 fans stuck around post-NRL men's to catch some 'dub' action and they were treated to an entertaining and close-fought contest, with a pair of tries to each team in the first half meaning the scores were deadlocked at 10-all heading into the break.

Tamika Upton was first on the board, crossing for the Knights to get the home side off to the ideal start, Sheridan Gallagher extending the advantage for 10-0. Teagan Berry and Keele Browne were ready and able to respond with a try each to reel the deficit in.

After the break, the Dragons locked down in defence and it was the brilliance of outside back Kimberley Hunt who crossed for a double, that got the Red V home.

Speaking of home, St George Illawarra will host long-time rivals the Roosters at WIN Stadium next Sunday, while Newcastle will visit Pointsbet Stadium where both their mens and womens teams are away to Cronulla on the same afternoon.

Newcastle Knights (W) 10 St George Illawarra Dragons (W) 18
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

Date: Sun, 11th August.   Kickoff: 6:10 PM.   Halftime: 10-all.   Penalties: 7-all.   Referee: Luke Saldern.   Crowd: 9,479.

Newcastle (W): Upton, Gallagher, Parker, Roache, White; Roche, Southwell; Predebon, Higgins, Romaniuk, Albert-Jones, Clydsdale, Southwell (C). Int: Maynard, Butler, Carter, Kukutai.
St Geo Illa (W): Berry, Fotu-Moala, Browne, Law, Hunt; Hopkins, McGregor (C); Teakaraanga-Katoa, Reh, Mulhall, Lendill, Basham, Tauaneai. Int: Bright, Wilson, Hancock, Nathan-Wong.

Newcastle Knights (10)
Tries: Tamika Upton, Sheridan Gallagher
Goals: Jesse Southwell 1/2

St George-Illawarra Dragons (18)
Tries: Kimberley Hunt 2, Keele Browne, Teagan Berry
Goals: Raecene Mcgregor 1/4

Round 3 ladder

RELATED: Click here to view the current NRL Telstra Women's Premiership ladder.

RLP stats leaders

Most tries

Most goals

Most points

Match review

Three players from Saturday's games were issued warnings on Sunday morning. Further charges Monday. Details here.

Player of the Year

6 points - Tiana Penitani (Sharks)

5 points - Kennedy Cherrington (Eels), Jessica Sergis (Roosters)

4 points - Evania Pelite (Titans), Elsie Albert (Eels), Teagan Berry (Dragons), Rachael Pearson (Eels)

3 points - Tarryn Aiken (Roosters), Lilly-Ann White (Knights), Kirra Dibb (Cowboys), Quincy Dodd (Sharks), Mele Hufanga (Broncos), Zahara Temara (Raiders), Georgia Hale (Titans), Tamika Upton (Knights), Hannah Southwell (Knights), Lauren Brown (Titans), Simaima Taufa (Raiders)

2 points - Christian Pio (Wests Tigers), Ellie Johnston (Sharks), Ali Brigginshaw (Broncos), Madison Bartlett (Raiders), Alexis Tauaneai (Dragons), Jakiya Whitfeld (Cowboys), Brooke Anderson (Sharks)

1 point - Emily Bass (Titans), Isabelle Kelly (Roosters), Kezie Apps (Wests Tigers), Keilee Joseph (Broncos), Jesse Southwell (Knights), Millie Elliott (Roosters), Olivia Kernick (Roosters), Tazmin Rapana (Broncos), Mackenzie Wiki (Raiders), Lily Peacock (Cowboys), Rosemarie Beckett (Eels)