MONDAY'S EXPERT: 2024 NRLW Round 1

A wrap of Round 1 NRLW with our team of writers and stats from Rugby League Project.

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

RELATED: See the full list of 2024 NRL Telstra Women's Premiership Draw and Results.

Knights defend the kingdom against Roosters in season opener

with Andy P

The 2024 NRLW premiership got underway at McDonald Jones Stadium as defending premiers Newcastle held out a spirited late attack from the Sydney Roosters to win 12-10.

The first 20 minutes of the game saw the tri colours pepper the Knight's line in what Newcastle captain Hannah Southwell called the toughest 20 minutes she can remember playing.

It was a gutsy effort from the girls as they held out from everything the Roosters were throwing at them. Although keeping up the pressure, the Roosters were unable to finish off any of the raids.

It wasn't until some back-to-back penalties gave the Knights field position down the Roosters quarter that the deadlock finally broke. Olivia Higgins saw an opportunity on the line and dove over to start the Knight's scoring account for the season.

 Five minutes later, the Knights had the Roosters on the back foot, with classy fullback Tamika Upton taking to the line down their left side and held up a pass long enough to expose a hole for  Abigail Roache to punch through and get the Knights second try. The first half ended with the Roosters trying again at the Knights line to no avail, and both teams headed in the sheds fairly even in stats but not the scoreboard.

The second half saw the teams lock into another arm wrestle as the Rooster tried to get on the front foot only to meet with the Knights dogged defence.

The tactics of trying to get through the middle weren't helping the Roosters, and it was t into some broken play was seized upon by the Roosters half, Tarryn Aiken, as she put a chip through on the halfway line, opened up the Knights defence and some great support play by Jocelyn Kelleher put the Roosters on the board.

A penalty against Roosters centre Jessica Sergis gave the Knights a shot for a penalty goal, putting them a converted try ahead with three minutes to go. But the Roosters still had plenty of fight in them, and an error by the Knights close to their line gave them a whiff. The Roosters pressure on the line paid off this time as Aitken put a perfect grubber through on the goal line for Jessica Serigis to jump on and set up the finish for a nail-biter. But it was not to be, as Jocelyn Kelleher could not nail the shot to push the game to golden point.

The Knights showed they are ready to defend their title, making their home ground a fortress, not losing a game in the last 28 months. Newcastle coach Ben Jeffries said defence had been a big focus in the pre-season and believed if it were another team, the Roosters would have gone over the try line plenty of times. The Knights now hold the record for most wins in the NRLW, racking up ten straight.

Newcastle Knights (W) 12 Sydney Roosters (W) 10
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

Date: Thu, 25th July.   Kickoff: 7:45 PM.   Halftime: Newcastle (W) 10-0.   Penalties: Newcastle (W) 7-5.   Referee: Belinda Sharpe.   Crowd: 3,921.

Newcastle (W): Upton, Gallagher, Parker, Roache, Waterman; Roche, Southwell; Predebon, Higgins, Johnston, Albert-Jones, Clydsdale, Southwell (C). Int: Maynard, Romaniuk, Butler, Kukutai.
Sydney (W): Kelly (C), Naividi, Sergis, Strange, Wood; Fressard, Aiken; Elliott, Davis, Hopoate, Pule, Kernick, Nasio. Int: Kelleher, Lopamaua, Economos, Hill-Moana.

Newcastle Knights (12)
Tries: Olivia Higgins, Abigail Roache
Goals: Jesse Southwell 2/3

Sydney Roosters (10)
Tries: Jessica Sergis, Jocelyn Kelleher
Goals: Jocelyn Kelleher 1/2

Sharks nil Cowboys at Pointsbet

with Andy P

The Cronulla Sharks made easy work at PointsBet Stadium of the North Queensland Cowboys with a 14-0 to start their season off with a bang. The Cowboys were unable to rope any threats against the Sharks, who had a field day down the Cowboys right edge.

After losing front rower Makenzie Weale early to a head slam into the ground, the Cowboys seemed unable to muster any control in the game.

The Sharks struck early with Emma Tonegato directing an attack down their left edge, catching the Cowboys jamming in, Sharks captain Tiana Penitani went over in the corner to claim the first points 7 minutes in.

The Sharks continued to pepper the Cowboys line, and in the 17th-minute hooker Quincy Dodd looked to go over the line from dummy half but was ruled no try for boring through one of her players. It didn't stop the attack of the Sharks, who continued to make the most of the Cowboys errors. In the 24th minute a scrum play from in the Cowboys quarter went left again for the Sharks, and this time the movement was finished off by winger Cassie Staples. Staples made it back-to-back tries after another error from the Cowboys again giving the Sharks prime position to pressure from a scrum. Some quick through the hands by the Sharks left edge was finished off by Staples in the 27th minute.

The Cowboys couldnt seem to put any pressure on the Sharks defence. They came close in the back end of the first half when Krystal Blackwell finished off a quick play down their left. But it was some desperate defence from Georgia Ravics who managed to pull Blackwell over the line.

Cowboys coach Ricky Henry said his team gave themselves opportunities but they were unable to put any icing on it. Henry also commented that the Sharks were able to turn the Cowboys errors into points. Showing that some extra defenceive work would be required in training next week. Even though the loss of Makenzie Weale may have disrupted the Cowboys game plan, they put themselves in striking range of the Sharks a few times but lacked any pressure or polish. And to be fair Weale's replacement, Lily Peacock did put her hand up in the game. With the Cowboys only winning two games last year it seems they could be set for a long season if they don't get the defence and simple errors sorted. The Cowboys head into round 2 with a home game against St. George Dragons, and a chance to turn their season around early.

Sharks coach Tony Herman said defence was a big part of their plan in the offseason, and he was pleased to see it pay off in the first game. The clean sheet was the first time the Sharks had held another team to zip in their short history, and Herman was full of praise the girls stuck to the plan. The confident Sharks will face Parramatta for a round 2 clash.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (W) 14 North Queensland Cowboys (W) 0
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Woolooware / Dharawal

Date: Sat, 27th July.   Kickoff: 11:00 AM.   Halftime: Cronulla (W) 14-0.   Penalties: Cronulla (W) 7-5.   Referee: Damian Brady.   Crowd: 1,257.

Cronulla (W): Taylor, Staples, Penitani (C), Biddle, Ravics; Tonegato, Preston; Johnston, Dodd, Wheeler, Holmes, Byers, Anderson. Int: Hannaway, Saunders, Foliaki, Dymock.
North QLD (W): Goldthorp, Blackwell, Whitfeld, Peters, Naikore; Tillett, Dibb (C); Harden, Foord, Weale, Polata, Raftstrand-Smith, Chester. Int: Manzelmann, Peacock, Butler, Banu.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (14)
Tries: Cassie Staples 2, Tiana Penitani
Goals: Tayla Preston 1/3

North Queensland Cowboys (0)

Eels start their season off strong, whilst the Broncos succumb to their third straight Round 1 loss

with Beth Nicholls

Brisbane hosted the Eels for the third match of the first round, and the Eels came out on top, albeit a slightly slow start.

Julia Robinson opened the scoring up for the game in the 4###sup

minute, catching a kick on the full and running the length of the ground, to put the Broncos on the board first.

After a plethora of back-and-forth errors and penalties from both teams, the visitors then got their first points of the match through winger Zali Fay in the 24###sup

minute. This came after Fay came close to scoring ten minutes prior before being taken down in a try saving tackle by opposite Bronco winger, Bree Spreadborough. The Eels then continued to dominate, with debutant centre Rory Owens easily crossing over just three minutes later for her first four-pointer.

The first half was a poor one for the home side, with the Broncos conceding seven penalties to one, and despite their strong start to the half, their discipline and defence was extremely poor and was evident in the halftime score line.

Parramatta then came out in the second half blazing, especially after the Brisbane side gave away a penalty in the opening two minutes of the match. Another error from the Broncos saw the Eels capitalise with Monique Donovan scoring down the right side, earning the Eels their third try of the match.

The home side then quickly return served after the Eels gave away a penalty which saw the QLD bench player, Chelsea Lenarduzzi, crash over for the Broncos second try.

The Broncos were back in the race only trailing by four, but a 30/40 kick from Rachael Pearson changed the momentum of the game, with the Eels putting more points on the board through experienced forward, Kennedy Cherrington.

With just over ten minutes remaining and trailing by ten the Broncos were desperate for something, but nothing was going in their favour with fullback Hayley Maddick crossing the try line, but unable to keep the ball in her possession.

Both sides were then left to play with 12 players for the final ten minutes of the match with both Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala and Kennedy Cherrington sin-binned.

The Eels clasp their first Round 1 win since 2021, starting the new season fresh with a whole lot of confidence, and now look to playing the Sharks in Sydney next weekend. 

On the other side of the match, the Broncos lacked discipline and struggled on many fronts.  They now look towards to when they travel down south to play the Roosters, which is directly following the Eels v Sharks clash.

Brisbane Broncos (W) 10 Parramatta Eels (W) 22
Venue: Suncorp Stadium, Milton / Yuggera-Turrbal

Date: Sat, 27th July.   Kickoff: 12:45 PM.   Halftime: Parramatta (W) 10-4.   Penalties: Parramatta (W) 12-3.   Referee: Rochelle Tamarua.   Crowd: 10,382.

Brisbane (W): Maddick, Robinson, Hufanga, Dam, Spreadborough; Adams, Brigginshaw (C); Nu'uausala, Ferguson, Clark, Denman, Teitzel, Joseph. Int: Gould, Lenarduzzi, Gray, Fogavini, Lafaele.
Parramatta (W): Church, Fay, Owen, Kelly, Donovan; Tohi-Hiku, Pearson; Albert, Cherrington, Jones, Kapua, Murphy (C), Cherrington. Int: Todhunter, Amiatu, Fonua, Kennard, Beckett.

Brisbane Broncos (10)
Tries: Chelsea Lenarduzzi, Julia Robinson
Goals: Mariah Denman 1/1

Parramatta Eels (22)
Tries: Zali Fay, Monique Donovan, Kennedy Cherrington, Rory Owen
Goals: Rachael Pearson 3/5

Titans withstand Dragons comeback to take first round win

with Justin Davies

Gold Coast Titans won 18-10 against St George Illawarra Dragons to open their NRLW campaign down in Wollongong on Sunday afternoon. 

The beaten Grand Finalists got their 2024 campaign off to a smooth start after their win against the Dragons in windy Wollongong. 

Gold Coast Titans hit the scoreboard first. They ran it on last tackle with Lauren Brown taking on the line before it was swept out to Emily Bass to score.  Dragons went close to scoring points twice. Raecene McGregor put it high and it bounced into the lap of Margot Vella who knocked on then Vella was sent over the sideline later.

The Titans made the hosts pay for the error. Once again, Brown started the move involving Pelite then it was another stroll in for Bass for 8-0.  The visitors almost added another before the break. It went to the right this time but the last pass was spilled by Niall Williams-Guthrie. 

The Brown and Pelite connection continued again for the Titans third try. Brown sent it inside for the fullback to go over. 

Livewire fullback Tegan Berry helped the Dragons on the board. She sliced through then flicked it to Bobbi Law to dive over for 14-4. 

It was all about that Bass as the Titans extended their lead. Pelite dug into the line and looped a pass to the winger to collect her hat-trick. 

After setting up their first, Berry got a four-pointer herself. She stepped past a few defenders and got over the line for 18-10. 

St George Illawarra Dragons (W) 10 Gold Coast Titans (W) 18
Venue: WIN Stadium, Wollongong / Dharawal

Date: Sun, 28th July.   Kickoff: 12:00 PM.   Halftime: Gold Coast (W) 10-0.   Penalties: St Geo Illa (W) 7-5.   Referee: Daniel Luttringer.   Crowd: 10,728.

St Geo Illa (W): Berry, Fotu-Moala, Browne, Law, Vella; Hopkins, McGregor (C); Teakaraanga-Katoa, Clancy, Hancock, Lendill, Basham, Tauaneai. Int: Bright, Reh, Sautia, Wilson.
Gold Coast (W): Pelite, Brown, Chapman, Williams-Guthrie, Bass; Fuimaono, Brown; Mato, Breayley-Nati, Elliston, Canfield, Bent, Hale (C). Int: Kolc, Jorgensen, Perese, Clarke.

St George-Illawarra Dragons (10)
Tries: Teagan Berry, Bobbi Law
Goals: Raecene Mcgregor 1/2

Gold Coast Titans (18)
Tries: Emily Bass 3, Evania Pelite
Goals: Lauren Brown 1/4

Raiders Dominate Tigers in Round 1 NRLW Clash

with Kelly Hollis

The Wests Tigers hosted the Canberra Raiders at Campbelltown Stadium in front of 1,500 fans for the opening round of the 2024 NRLW season. Under clear blue skies but battling freezing winds, both teams took to the field as named earlier in the week.

The Tigers stumbled early, with a series of errors setting the tone for their first half. An early mistake followed by a failed touch-finder from a penalty at halfway gifted the Raiders their first opportunity. They capitalised quickly, shifting the ball wide for Madison Bartlett to score the opening try.

The Tigers' woes continued as a communication mix-up between half-back Losana Lutu and winger Harmony Crichton resulted in a knock-on close to their own line. Raiders winger Alanna Dummett wasted no time, scoring on the subsequent play. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale's kick-off error, which sailed out on the full, gave the Raiders prime field position, leading to another try by centre Mackenzie Wiki.

The Raiders extended their lead to 22 points with a fifth try in the 13th minute, while the Tigers struggled to get any meaningful possession. The Tigers' first real scoring opportunity came when Salma Nour crossed the line, only for the try to be disallowed due to Najvada George's obstruction.

Canberra's half-back, Zahara Temara, added to the scoreboard with a line-break try, followed by her own conversion, pushing the Raiders further ahead. The Tigers finally responded with centre Rikeya Horne recovering a loose grubber to score, with Piliae-Rasabale managing the conversion despite the difficult wind. The teams went into halftime with the Raiders leading 28-6.

The second half saw the Tigers return with improved discipline and defence. NRLW debutant Harmony Crichton came close to scoring but fumbled as she crossed the line. The Raiders continued their dominance with Bartlett securing her second try of the match, bringing her career tally to 20 NRLW tries.

Wests Tigers co-captain Botielle Vette-Welsh gave her team a glimmer of hope by scoring a try, breaking through multiple defenders. Piliae-Rasabale, assisted by Nour to keep the ball steady on the tee, successfully converted. Despite spirited efforts from both sides, errors and penalties marred the remainder of the game, with no further changes to the scoreline.

Zahara Temara's 12 points from a try and four conversions saw her surpass 150 career points, solidifying her status as the NRLW's all-time leading point scorer. For the Tigers, debutant Tara Reinkie made the most tackles against her former club, while Vette-Welsh stood out with over 140 running meters, three tackle breaks, a line break, and a try.

Both teams left with areas to improve: the Wests Tigers need to address their error-prone start that saw them concede 22 points in the first 13 minutes, while the Raiders must work on discipline after conceding ten penalties. Looking ahead, the Raiders will face reigning premiers Newcastle Knights in Round 2, while the Wests Tigers will travel to the Gold Coast to take on the Titans.

Wests Tigers (W) 12 Canberra Raiders (W) 32
Venue: Campbelltown Sports Stadium, Leumeah / Dharawal

Date: Sun, 28th July.   Kickoff: 1:45 PM.   Halftime: Canberra (W) 28-6.   Penalties: Wests Tigers (W) 6-3.   Referee: Karra-Lee Nolan.   

Wests Tigers (W): Vette-Welsh (C), Crichton, Tufuga, Horne, Staines; Piliae-Rasabale, Lutu; Togatuki, Nour, Pio, Apps, McGlone, George. Int: Curtain, Reinke, Penitani, Talataina.
Canberra (W): Nicholls-Pualau, Bartlett, Robins-Reti, Wiki, Dummett; Temara (C), Quinlan; Kelly-Sines, Temara, Holyman, Soliola, Dodd, Taufa. Int: Barnes, Kemp, Matua, Naitokatoka, Quinlan.

Wests Tigers (12)
Tries: Rikeya Horne, Botille Vette-Welsh
Goals: Pauline Piliae-Rasabale 2/2

Canberra Raiders (32)
Tries: Madison Bartlett 2, Simaima Taufa, Zahara Temara, Alanna Dummett, Mackenzie Wiki
Goals: Zahara Temara 4/6

Round 1 ladder

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

RLP stats leaders

Most tries

Most goals

Most points

LU NRLW Player of the Year Standings

after Round 1

Chosen by our match report writers from each game:

3 points - Lauren Brown (Titans), Tiana Penitani (Sharks), Kennedy Cherrington (Eels), Tamika Upton (Knights), Zahara Temara (Raiders)

2 points - Evania Pelite (Titans), Madison Bartlett (Raiders), Rachael Pearson (Eels), Hannah Southwell (Knights), Brooke Anderson (Sharks)

1 point - Emily Bass (Titans), Lily Peacock (Cowboys), Simaima Taufa (Raiders), Isabelle Kelly (Roosters), Tazmin Rapana (Broncos)