Sunday's Expert - 2022 NRLW Round 2

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Time for a full wrap-up of the weekend's NRLW action. Sunday's Expert brings you the full results wrap from the weekend, plus Match Review charges, injury news, our POTY standings, TV ratings and a look ahead to next round.

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

RELATED: See the full list of 2022 NRL Telstra Women's Premiership Draw and Results.

NRLW Round 2 results

Brisbane Broncos 8 Sydney Roosters 28

Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton
Date: Saturday 27 August 2022 at 1:10pm

BRISBANE BRONCOS (8)
Tries: Tarryn Aiken (2)
Conversions: Brianna Clark (0/1), Ali Brigginshaw (0/1)

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (28)
Tries: Destiny Brill, Olivia Kernick (2), Sam Bremner, Jayme Fressard
Conversions: Zahara Temara (4/5)

Roosters perfect start continues as Broncos struggle

Josh Robertson | August 27 2022 3:13PM

The Sydney Roosters have put themselves into a strong position to defend their NRLW title and put the Broncos campaign potentially on life support following an impressive 28-8 win at Suncorp Stadium.

Another error-riddled half of football from the Broncos put themselves on the backfoot and the Roosters scored first through Destiny Brill who used her skills out of dummy half to get down low to score.

The Broncos could've had a say on the scoreboard but were denied twice with both Ali Brigginshaw and Tarryn Aiken losing the ball. The first-half contest was a tight affair until a barnstorming finish from the Roosters with Olivia Kernick and Sam Bremner scoring.

The play to set up the Kernick play was just perfect from Raecene McGregor who didn't rush when the service from dummy half wasn't perfect before kicking across field initially for Jess Sergis who was unmarked, but the bounce instead favoured Kernick who scored. McGregor then had her fingerprints over the next try when her footwork put her through space before eventually finding Sam Bremner who had her first try in almost four years.

Starting the second half much better than they did the first half, the Broncos had turned the momentum in their favour and it was Tarryn Aiken who scored first for the homeside after Julia Robinson found space to put on the speed and finally got the ball out to Aiken to score.

Momentum was truly with the Broncos as Aiken got her second when she spotted a gap in the Roosters defensive line and went through to score.

The Roosters were able to swing the momentum back in their favour when Olivia Kernick got her second of the afternoon after some good work from Destiny Brill and Raecene McGregor to get the tricolours into attacking position. A try not long after put the game beyond doubt for the Roosters when a beautiful ball from Zahara Temara out to Jayme Fressard put the ex-Bronco over.

It wasn't all good news for the Roosters with three players failing to finish the match due to injury with a nervous wait ahead of their historic clash with the Dragons at the new Allianz Stadium on Friday night whilst the Broncos will look to get their season back on track against QLD rivals the Gold Coast Titans.

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Raecene McGregor
2 points - Tarryn Aiken
1 points - Sam Bremner

Parramatta Eels 10 St George Illawarra Dragons 16

Venue: CommBank Stadium, Parramatta
Date: Sunday 28 August 2022 at 12:00pm

PARRAMATTA EELS (10)
Tries: Tiana Penitani, Gayle Broughton
Conversions: Tayla Preston (1/2)
Penalty Goals:

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (16)
Tries: Keele Browne, Page Mcgregor (2), Teagan Berry
Conversions: Rachael Pearson (0/4)

Dragons not at their best as Parra almost get upset win

Josh Robertson | August 28 2022 2:14PM

The St George Illawarra Dragons have survived a scare to go two from two to start the NRLW season with a 16-10 victory over the Parramatta Eels at Commbank Stadium.

It was an end-to-end affair in the contest and it took almost 20 minutes for the Dragons to open the scoring when off the back of a scrum the Dragons went right finding Keele Browne who was able to fight her way over.

Back-to-back penalties hurt the Eels as the Red ‘V' started to mount repeated pressure on the Parramatta line and they took advantage when they shifted left and found Page McGregor to score out wide. Goal kicking became an issue for the Dragons as they could only lead 8-0.

The Eels took advantage when Tiana Penitani was able to get through space and a footrace between the former Aussie 7 teammates saw the Eels captain get past Emma Tonegato to score.

The goal-kicking woes of the Dragons proved to be an issue when Gayle Broughton was able to score for the Eels after she put Tiana Penitani through into space again before the ball ended back up with Broughton to finish things off. The conversion from Tayla Preston from in front was successful giving the Eels a 10-8 lead at the break.

Neither side could have pure dominance in the second half though the Dragons were able to take advantage again on their left-hand side when again off the back of a scrum, the Red V looked to go left as Teagan Berry was able to get her way over the line. The conversion was again missed and despite having an extra try, the Dragons could only manage to lead by 2.

Sustained pressure on the Eels defence became an issue when they couldn't wrap the ball up on last tackle as Taliah Fuimaono was able to keep the ball alive and an overlap saw the ball end up with Page McGreogr who scored her second of the afternoon. Another missed conversion saw the Eels with a chance to level.

Despite some late chances, the Eels couldn't get across the line and eventually fell to the 16-10 defeat. Next weekend, the Dragons have a grand final rematch against the Roosters to open Allianz Stadium whilst the Eels take on the Knights in a must win match in Newcastle next Sunday night.

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Tiana Penitani
2 points - Gayle Broughton
1 points - Keeley Davis

Gold Coast Titans 12 Newcastle Knights 16

Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Robina
Date: Sunday 28 August 2022 at 6:10pm

GOLD COAST TITANS (12)
Tries: Zara Canfield, Stephanie Hancock
Conversions: Lauren Brown (2/2)

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (16)
Tries: Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly, Emma Manzelmann, Tamika Upton
Conversions: Kirra Dibb (2/3)

Errors cost Titans again as Newcastle stay undefeated

Josh Robertson | August 28 2022 8:20PM

The Newcastle Knights have kept their unbeaten start to the NRLW season going with a scrappy 16-12 victory over the Gold Coast Titans at Robina.

Both sides will hope to wipe the opening five minutes from their mind as both sides struggled to complete a set of six and as a result of the scrappy play, the Knights opened the scoring after six minutes via a Titans error. The Knights were able to spread the ball right with Autumn-Rain Stephens Daily getting over in the corner.

The Titans pretty quickly hit back though it wasn't pretty as their last tackle option wasn't necessarily the prettiest but a double kick paid off as Zara Canfield got to the ball first to score.

Two pieces of dummy half magic turned the game back in the Knights favour when Emma Manzelmann went from dummy half finding space where the Gold Coast defence was split and the backup dummy half took advantage. Manzelmann then took advantage again when she was able to go through the middle before finding Tamika Upton to score.

The second half never reached any great heights with both sides not really finding any crisp attacking form though it was a strong piece of play from Georgia Hale who looked behind the lead runner sending the defence into a two minds before finding Steph Hancock who charged over.

Both sides had chances to score again although errors hurt both sides and the Knights were able to hold on for the victory.

Next weekend, the Titans will look to get their first win in a season defining match against QLD rivals the Brisbane Broncos in a battle of the winless sides, whilst the Knights will be brimming with confidence as they look to continue their unbeaten start against the Eels.

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Emma Manzelmann
2 points - Georgia Hale
1 points - Tamika Upton

Ladder after Round 2

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

Match Review Charges

Brianna Clark (Broncos)
Dangerous Contact - warning

Kennedy Cherrington (Eels)
Dangerous Contact - warning

Laikha Clarke (Titans)
Dangerous Contact - Warning

Zara Canfield (Titans)
Careless High Tackle - 1-2 matches

LeagueUnlimited Player of the Year standings

Our writers issue points every game for who they judge as the best player on the field.

4 points - Sam Bremner (Roosters)
3 points - Raecene McGregor (Roosters), Tiana Penitani (Eels), Emma Tonegato (Dragons), Emma Manzelmann (Knights), Jesse Southwell (Knights)
2 points - Georgia Hale (Titans), Gayle Broughton (Eels), Stephanie Hancock (Titans), Tarryn Aiken (Broncos), Romy Teitzel (Knights), Isabelle Kelly (Roosters)
1 point - Tamika Upton (Knights), Keeley Davis (Dragons), Simaima Taufa (Eels), Millie Boyle (Knights), Holli Wheeler (Dragons)

Upcoming NRL fixture: Round 3

Sydney Roosters v St George Illawarra Dragons
Fri 2 Sep 5:30PM at Allianz Stadium, Moore Park

Brisbane Broncos v Gold Coast Titans
Sat 3 Sep 1:10PM at Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe

Newcastle Knights v Parramatta Eels
Sun 4 Sep 12:00PM at McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton