Round 9: Raiders v Titans NRLW preview
With a spot in the finals out of reach, both sides will be playing to finish their seasons with pride.
As the 2024 NRLW action wraps up, the Canberra Raiders will host the Gold Coast Titans in their final home game of the season at GIO Stadium. With both teams out of finals contention, this clash serves as an opportunity for pride and a chance to finish the season on a positive note.
The Raiders currently sit in 8th place, having endured a tough run, losing six consecutive matches at home. Their last outing saw them narrowly lose to the Parramatta Eels, with a late penalty goal sealing an 18-16 defeat despite a spirited comeback. Despite the loss, coach Darrin Borthwick has made no changes to his side for the final match of the year.
Last year's grand finalists, the Gold Coast Titans find themselves in 7th position after a disheartening loss to the Newcastle Knights, where they were dominated 46-10. The Titans struggled with possession and errors, completing only 62% of their sets. In response, coach Karyn Murphy has made several changes, including the return of rugby league pioneer Karina Brown, who will make her final appearance in the No. 1 jersey. Along with this, Sarina Masaga comes into the centres, with Taliah Fuimaono returning to the five-eighth role, pushing Sienna Lofipo to the bench. Dannii Perese also comes onto the bench to replace the suspended Ngatokotoru Arakua.
With both teams eager to end their campaigns on a high note, fans can expect an intense battle in the Nation's Capital, especially given the Titans' previous victory over the Raiders in 2023. This is only the second time these two sides have faced each other, with the Titans looking to replicate last year's dominant performance. While the Raiders have scored over 60 points more than their opponents this season, both teams have struggled defensively, conceding 204 and 175 points, respectively. As the Raiders aim to break their losing streak at home, the Titans will be keen to rebound and find some form heading into the offseason.
Last meeting: Round 9 2023 - Raiders 6 Titans 30
Who to watch: Raiders winger Madison Bartlett has scored eight tries this season and will be hoping to make it nine to finish the season with an average of one try per game. She has scored three doubles, though, so she hasn't scored in every game she's played this year. She's also a strong runner of the ball, averaging over 85 run metres per game and has accumulated 17 tackle breaks and 8 line breaks this season.
Although she will be wearing the #1 jersey, Titans winger Karina Brown will be one to watch as she takes to the field for her last game of rugby league before retiring. The 35-year-old will wrap up seven seasons of the NRLW, where she debuted for the Sydney Roosters and played for the Warriors before being the inaugural signing for the Gold Coast Titans in 2021. Although this will just be her second game this season, you have to admit that her final game will be something special to watch.
MY TIP: It would be nice to see a fairytale end for the time that Karina Brown has served in the game. So, for the nostalgia points - I'm going to go Gold Coast in a super-close one. Titans by 4.
