Titans v Wests Tigers NRLW preview

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Gold Coast Titans (W) v Wests Tigers (W) Saturday 12:45pm at Cbus Super Stadium, Robina / Yugambeh

Last year's Grand Finalists the Gold Coast have started the season off right with a win - and will be keen to maintain that winning record against a badly beaten Tigers outfit on Saturday.

While only winning 18-10, the Titans dominated the Dragons all day on Sunday in Wollongong on the back of a strong showing from halfback Lauren Brown. Fullback Evania Pelite was also a standout in Round 1. The hosts for this Saturday's contest have a key change which sees Rugby Sevens import Georgia Grey named, replacing Karina Brown (calf) in the backline. Zara Canfield is also out, replaced by Rilee Jorgensen in the back row, while Hailey-Jay Maunsell joins the bench.

The Tigers... where to start? Brett Kimmorley's women were very poor and never really looked like troubling Canberra, conceding 28 first-half points and despite a better second half, succumbed to a 20-point loss at Campbelltown. They travel north on Saturday to face the Titans with a surprisingly unchanged lineup (at least as of Tuesday).

Last meeting: Round 7 2023 - Titans 16 Wests Tigers 4

Who to watch: Gold Coast winger Emily Bass has scored five tries over the course of her last three NRLW appearances and will be looking to have a field day against a troubled Tigers backline. Botille Vette-Welsh has showed supreme skill at NSW Women's Premiership level in recent years - a strong showing from the Tigers' number one will go a long way to see her team turn things around after a disastrous start to their 2024 campaign.

MY TIP: Based on Round 1 performances it's impossible to tip anybody but the Titans. Gold Coast by 16.

1. Evania Pelite 2. Georgia Grey 3. Jaime Chapman 4. Niall Williams-Guthrie 5. Emily Bass 6. Taliah Fuimaono 7. Lauren Brown 8. Shannon Mato 9. Brittany Breayley-Nati 10. Jessika Elliston 11. Rilee Jorgensen 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Georgia Hale 14. Lily-Rose Kolc 15. Hailee-Jay Maunsell 16. Dannii Perese 17. Laikha Clarke 18. Georgia Sim

1. Botille Vette-Welsh 2. Harmony Crichton 3. Leianne Tufuga 4. Rikeya Horne 5. Tess Staines 6. Pauline Piliae 7. Losana Lutu 8. Sarah Togatuki 9. Salma Nour 10. Christian Pio 11. Kezie Apps 12. Shaianne McGlone 13. Najvada George 14. Sophie Curtain 15. Tara Reinke 16. Natasha Penitani 17. Brooke Talataina 18. Jessica Kennedy

Referees: Nick Pelgrave; Sideline Officials: Rochelle Tamarua, Tori Wilkie; Video Referees: Adam Gee;