Sunday's Expert - 2022 NRLW Round 3

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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 3 results

Sydney Roosters 34 St George Illawarra Dragons 6

Venue: Allianz Stadium, Moore Park
Date: Friday 2 September 2022 at 5:40pm

SYDNEY ROOSTERS (34)
Tries: Leianne Tufuga, Zahara Temara, Jocelyn Kelleher (2), Sam Bremner, Otesa Pule
Conversions: Zahara Temara (5/6)

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS (6)
Tries: Monalisa Soliola
Conversions: Rachael Pearson (1/1)

Roosters crow as they open Allianz Stadium burning the Dragons

Josh Robertson | September 2 2022 7:46PM

The Sydney Roosters have put on a show to open Allianz Stadium with a 34-6 victory which saw the home side run in 5 unanswered second half tries.

The opening half was an even contest with both sides having plenty of chances to score and it was Monalisa Soliola who will go down in history as the first ever try scorer at the new Allianz Stadium when she was able to get over in the corner. A pinpoint sideline conversion from Rachael Pearson gave the Dragons a 6-0 lead.

A pinpoint kick from Raecene McGregor got the Roosters over for their first when a cross-field kick found Leianne Tufuga perfectly after putting Tegan Berry into two minds about contesting it. Temara had her own perfect conversion to level the scores at 6-6.

Both sides had multiple chances to score in the first half but couldn't take advantage unlike the second half where the Roosters hit top gear. Despite having most of the possession, the Dragons attack struggled to find any fluidity and it was Jocelyn Kelleher who gave the Roosters the lead when she was able to spot a gap in the tiring Dragons defence to score.

The momentum had well and truly turned in favour of the Tricolours when Destiny Brill got over but had her claims denied losing the ball, but a penalty to the Roosters gave them more attacking opportunity which was taken when Zahara Temara chased through a kick from Raecene McGregor to score.

The Roosters continued their dominance when Sam Bremner used her experience to lurk out the back when Olivia Kernick ran a decoy that attracted the Dragons defence and Bremner went through to score. The tricolours again added points in quick succession when Otesa Pule was able to get her first NRLW try when Raecene McGregor went short with a no look pass to score.

Sam Bremner played a big part in the Roosters last try when she made a break on the play before the Roosters were able to create a massive overlap to score out wide when Jocelyn Kelleher scored in the corner for her second.

Next weekend, the Roosters have a tough battle when they have to take on the Knights meanwhile the Dragons have a tough task as well when they take on the Broncos.

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

Brisbane Broncos 22 Gold Coast Titans 4

Venue: Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe
Date: Saturday 3 September 2022 at 1:10pm

BRISBANE BRONCOS (22)
Tries: Jaime Chapman (3), Chelsea Lenarduzzi, Shenae Ciesiolka
Conversions: Shakiah Tungai (0/2), Ali Brigginshaw (0/1), Brianna Clark (1/2)
Penalty Goals: Ali Brigginshaw (0/1)

GOLD COAST TITANS (4)
Tries: Madison Bartlett
Conversions: Lauren Brown (0/1)

Broncos break duck in derby win

Justin Davies | September 3 2022 3:08PM

Brisbane Broncos are on the board for the NRLW season after their 22-4 win over Gold Coast Titans on Saturday afternoon at Moreton Daily Stadium. 

The Broncos are a much-changed side after their three Premierships but they have broken their duck with a win against local rivals Titans off the back of a superb hat-trick from Jaime Chapman and a Chelsea Lenarduzzi four-pointer. 

Both sides were winless for their 2022 second campaign and wanted to take bragging rights in the derby. Brisbane Broncos started well with some solid work while the Titans just couldn't get out of their own way with errors and penalties. 

The Broncos were first to score points when Chapman showed some fantastic skill to beat her defenders and dive over in the corner for 4-0 before front rower Chelsea Lenarduzzi doubled their delight when she powered over to make it eight. 

The three time Premiership winners were in complete control. Tarryn Aitken was driving the team across the park and they added a third just before the break, again through Chapman, who once again beat defenders with ease for 12-0. 

Pre-match Titans coach Karyn Murphy talked about her side needing to be disciplined with the ball. They were anything but that in the first half, as they spilled the ball in good areas several times and were unable to sustain any pressure. 

Titans needed a response after the break and got on the board. Some good slick hands ended up with Madison Bartlett diving across on the right hand side and giving them some hope at 12-4. 

The Broncos pushed their advantage to 16 with another well worked move. This time it was a slick backline movement to Shanae Ciesiolka who had the simple walk in four-pointer to make it 18-4 after Brianna Clark's fabulous conversion.

Broncos capped off the maiden win with Chapman's hat-trick. The centre was dazzling with her footwork once more on a slick surface in Redcliffe and crossed in the corner to make it 22-4. 

It will be relief for Broncos coach Kelvin Wright after back-to-back losses to start the season but it gives them a chance at finals football still. For the Titans, they face a long road back if they are to do anything this season and need to fix up their handling. 

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Jaime Chapman
2 points - Amber Hall
1 points - Tarryn Aiken

Newcastle Knights 18 Parramatta Eels 16

Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton
Date: Sunday 4 September 2022 at 12:00pm

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS (18)
Tries: Tamika Upton, Tayla Predebon, Olivia Higgins
Conversions: Kirra Dibb (2/3)
Penalty Goals: Kirra Dibb (1/1)

PARRAMATTA EELS (16)
Tries: Rikeya Horne (2), Tess Staines
Conversions: Tayla Preston (2/3)

Knights steal victory at the death over Parramatta

Josh Robertson | September 4 2022 2:10PM

The Newcastle Knights have stolen victory from the jaws of defeat and kept their unbeaten start to the season going following their 18-16 victory over the Parramatta Eels at McDonald Jones Stadium.

It was the Eels who were able to open the scoring first when Rikeya Horne was able to get her first try since 2018 when the Knights defence aimed up on Gayle Broughton who was lurking out the back but instead when short for Rikeya Horne to push through.

The Knights hit back soon after when it was the traditional Tamika Upton magic that took place when she was able break through the defence and get over in the corner. Kirra Dibb's conversion was waved away just not having the legs to get to the posts in the gusty conditions.

Neither side could fully get any momentum for the remainder of the half as the Eels were able to hold on a 6-4 lead.

Not long after the half time break the Knights were able to get across in controversial circumstances when the Bunker overruled a live decision of no try when Tayla Predebon got her way to the line and despite looking like she had lost it, the try was awarded by the bunker.

The Eels then hit back soon after to regain the lead when Tayla Preston was able to get a perfect cross-field kick out to the wing where Tess Staines was on the spot to pounce on the bouncing ball to score out wide and get the ball down. Tayla Preston converted and the Eels held a two-point lead once again.

A Kirra Dibb penalty goal levelled the scores for the Knights but it was only momentary because a collision between Tamika Upton and Jakiya Whitfeld at the back whilst contesting the ball saw Rikeya Horne pick up her second when she was able to clean up the loose ball and score her second try of the afternoon.

Olivia Higgins became the hero of Newcastle inside the final two minutes when she was able to burrow over from dummy half and steal the victory for the home side when she attracted defenders with a dummy before going over. Kirra Dibb converted to give the Knights an 18-16 lead.

The Eels had one last chance after they pulled off a 1-on-1 strip but they couldn't get anything going and the Knights held on.

Next weekend, the Knights will come up against fellow undefeated side the Sydney Roosters, whilst the Eels will have the battle of the bottom two sides when they take on the Titans with both games TBA on venue and times.

LeagueUnlimited.com Players of the Match:
3 points - Tayla Preston
2 points - Tamika Upton
1 points - Rikeya Horne

Ladder after Round 3

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

Match Review Charges

Najvada George (Eels)
Dangerous Contact - warning

Yasmin Clydsdale (Knights)
Careless High Tackle - warning

LeagueUnlimited Player of the Year standings

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

6 points - Sam Bremner (Roosters), Raecene McGregor (Roosters)

3 points - Jaime Chapman (Broncos), Tiana Penitani (Eels), Tamika Upton (Knights), Emma Manzelmann (Knights), Jesse Southwell (Knights), Tarryn Aiken (Broncos), Emma Tonegato (Dragons), Tayla Preston (Eels)

2 points - Stephanie Hancock (Titans), Georgia Hale (Titans), Gayle Broughton (Eels), Amber Hall (Broncos), Isabelle Kelly (Roosters), Romy Teitzel (Knights)

1 point - Rikeya Horne (Eels), Keeley Davis (Dragons), Holli Wheeler (Dragons), Millie Boyle (Knights), Simaima Taufa (Eels), Keilee Joseph (Roosters)

Upcoming NRL fixture: Round 4

Gold Coast Titans v Parramatta Eels
Sat 10 Sep 1:05PM at AAMI Park, Melbourne
Brisbane Broncos v St George Illawarra Dragons
Sat 10 Sep 2:50PM at AAMI Park, Melbourne

Newcastle Knights v Sydney Roosters
Sun 11 Sep 1:10PM at Allianz Stadium, Moore Park