NRLW Grand Final Preview - Knights v Titans

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Newcastle Knights v Gold Coast Titans Sunday 3:55pm at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park / Wanngal

The stage is set for a thrilling NRLW Grand Final showdown as the defending champions, Newcastle Knights, take on the resilient Gold Coast Titans at the pinnacle of women's rugby league. With both teams showcasing their prowess in the semifinals, this battle promises to be a clash of strength, strategy, and determination.

In their semifinal clash against the Brisbane Broncos, Newcastle Knights displayed their championship mettle. With over 12,600 rugby league fans packing McDonald Jones Stadium, the team from Newcastle started strong, leading 18-4 at half-time. Their defensive prowess was matched by their clinical attack, resulting in the side scoring five tries. The accurate kicking of Jesse Southwell proved pivotal, with the Broncos also scoring five tries of their own, however, Ali Brigginshaw was unable to convert three of them. Southwell's perfect conversion rate helped to secure Newcastle's 8th consecutive victory this season and a place in back-to-back grand finals. Tamika Upton put on another exceptional performance, setting up two tries and scoring one of her own, underling her influence on the team. 

In a remarkable turnaround from their previous season where they won just one game and were handed the wooden spoon, the Gold Coast Titans clinched their spot in the Grand Final by defeating premiership favourites, the Sydney Roosters. Their performance at Allianz Stadium was a testament to their growth and determination, holding the Roosters to nil after a previous 30-8 defeat to the Tricolours in Round 5. It wasn't just the experienced players like Evania Pelite and skipper Georgia Hale who displayed immense grit and skill, contributing to this historic win, but their young players also stood up to the occasion. In particular, NRLW Rookie of the Year nominee, Rilee Jorgensen, stepped up to the plate slotting a conversion and a penalty goal to seal the 12 - 0 win.  

The Knights and Titans are set to showcase their best, aiming for glory and etching their names in NRLW history.

Despite a charge against Caitlin Johnson for a dangerous throw, she will line up in the front row for the Grand Final after entering an early guilty plea. As a result, Newcastle Knights coach, Ronald Griffiths has been able to stick with their winning formula, naming unchanged starting 17 for their final game of the season. 

Titans' coach, Karyn Murphy, has also been able to name the same 17 players that took the field against the Roosters, allowing her to keep the combinations together that helped them earn their place in the decider. Murphy is also set to make history herself as the first female coach to lead a team into an NRLW Grand Final. This milestone marks a significant step forward in the representation of women in coaching roles.

The Knights hold a slight advantage in their head-to-head clashes against the Titans, with a 2-1 win ratio. Their most recent victory came in August, where they emerged victorious with a 22-10 scoreline at McDonald Jones Stadium. A win on Sunday would see them become just the second team to win more than one NRLW title, joining the Brisbane Broncos who have secured 3 in their history. The Titans, on the other hand, are aiming to become the first Gold Coast side, either NRL or NRLW, to win a premiership. 

The 2023 NRLW Grand Final promises to be a nail-biting encounter, with both teams showcasing their best talents and strategies. Rugby league enthusiasts are encouraged to tune in for this historic clash, and only time will unveil the victor and the next NRLW champion. 

Last meeting: Round 4 2023 - Knights 22 Titans 10

Who to watch: This game is going to be the battle of the fullbacks, with both sides having pure class in this position. 

Tamika Upton has consistently topped the run metres, linebreaks and tackle break stats table for her side. She has averaged 222 metres per game, the most of any player across the league and has run for over 200 metres in seven of her 10 appearances. She can break open a game like no other player and the Titans will need to stay on top of her if they have any hope of keeping this game close.

Titans fullback Evania Pelite was a key piece in her side's win against the Roosters, running for 262 metres, breaking seven tackles and throwing a superb cut-out pass that saw her winger Destiny Mino-Sinapati score in the 69th minute, ultimately the try that sent the Titans into their first grand final.

My tip: It's hard to go past the Newcastle Knights given their outstanding form throughout the 2023 regular season. With only one loss in Round 2, the Knights have been the best defensive side in the competition, while the team from the Gold Coast have made it to the Grand Final despite having scored the fourth-fewest points in this NRLW season. Newcastle by 8.

1. Tamika Upton 2. Sheridan Gallagher 3. Shanice Parker 4. Abigail Roache 5. Jasmine Strange 6. Georgia Roche 7. Jesse Southwell 8. Tayla Predebon 9. Olivia Higgins 10. Caitlan Johnston 11. Laishon Albert-Jones 12. Yasmin Clydsdale 13. Hannah Southwell 14. Nita Maynard 15. Tiana Davison 16. Kayla Romaniuk 17. Rima Butler 18. Jacinta Carter

1. Evania Pelite 2. Karina Brown 3. Jaime Chapman 4. Niall Williams-Guthrie 5. Destiny Mino-Sinapati 6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu 7. Lauren Brown 8. Shannon Mato 9. Brittany Breayley-Nati 10. Jessika Elliston 11. Zara Canfield 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Georgia Hale 14. Sienna Lofipo 15. Stephanie Hancock 16. Rilee Jorgensen 17. Dannii Perese 18. Taliah Fuimaono

Referees: Belinda Sharpe; Sideline Officials: Rochelle Tamarua, Mitchell Currie; Video Referees: Kasey Badger;