Match Centre

Round 1: Eels v Roosters NRLW preview

SEASON FIVE HITS GO!

The NRLW returns for the second time this year - this time the 2022 season being played in the correct year.

The Eels host the reigning premiers Sydney Roosters to get things underway at Commbank Stadium, part of a three match program which sees the NSW Cup and NRL Eels sides also play.

Despite the Tricolours' dominance in season 2021 earlier this year, they only just scraped by a tenacious Eels outfit 19-18 at Newcastle's McDonald Jones Stadium. On that March afternoon, it was five-eighth Zehara Temara who booted the eventual champions home.

While the Roosters went on to claim the ultimate prize back in April, the Eels fell agonisingly short, missing out on a top four spot on differential.

There are changes across the field for both sides. The Roosters lose Corban Baxter to pregnancy, but welcome back Sammy Bremner after a couple of years on maternity herself. They've retained elite centre pairing Jess Sergis and Isabelle Kelly, as well as halves Temara and Raecene McGregor. Young gun Kalisopani Hopoate - who played for Tonga against the Kiwi Ferns in June - is named to debut from the bench.

Parramatta also have mixed news in the custodian role, with star fullback Botille Vette-Welsh to miss the season with a knee injury. Gayle Broughton - a former NZ rugby sevens star - comes in to the #1 jersey. New face Brooke Walker, a former AFLW player for Carlton, completes her code switch and will start at five-eighth for the blue-and-gold.

Last meeting: Round 4 2021 - Eels 18 Roosters 19

Who to watch: The experience of the Roosters will be key and their spine is testament to their class. Bremner's much-awaited return at fullback, the Sergis-Kelly centre pairing and Temara and McGregor in the halves are going to make the Eastern Suburbs girls an exciting team to watch this season.

After three seasons at the Roosters, Vanessa Foliaki has made the trip along the M4 to O'Connell Street and will add important firepower to the Eels' pack. She will link up with lock Simaima Taufa, who similar moved from the Roosters to Eels earlier this year, playing in all five of the blue-and-golds' 2021 NRLW matches.

The favourite: As premiers and with a quality lineup, the Tricolours are favoured to win this contest.

My tip: The Roosters have an impressive lineup, so it's hard to see them giving too much ground to a Parramatta lineup still finding its feet. Roosters by 12.