Cowboys v Dragons NRLW preview

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North Queensland Cowboys (W) v St George Illawarra Dragons (W) Sunday 6:10pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba

Both sides lost in the opening round of the season last week and will be looking to claim their first win of the season. 

The home side succumbed to a 14-0 loss to the Sharks last week, unable to put any points on the board, despite dominating possession in the second half, the Cronulla defence was just too good for them.  After suffering a head knock in Round 1, Makenzie Weale is out of the match and is replaced by Essay Banu who started on the bench last week. Sareka Mooka and Shaniah Power join the interchange, whilst Ebony Raftstrand-Smith makes her NRLW debut on the wing after having a breakout season in the QRL Women's Premiership.  A Titans masterclass, including a hat trick from Emily Bass and and incredible kicking game from Lauren Brown, the Dragons are looking to bounce back and find their first win for the season. 

Jamie Soward has opted for a few changes in his side for this second-round clash, with Kimberley Hunt named to make her club debut in place of Maatuleio Fotu-Moala, and Jamilee Bright named in the starting side and Steph Hancock on the bench, although this was changed in the final moments before kickoff last week.  These sides met once last year in the Cowboys inaugural season and the Dragons came out on top winning 48-16. 

Last meeting: Round 7 2023 - Cowboys 16 Dragons 48

Who to watch: Starting on the bench last week for the Cowboys and playing 57 minutes, Lily Peacock had a monster game leading in run metres, making a total of 161, whilst also making nineteen hit ups and 26 tackles. 

Scoring her ninth try in five games against the Titans, Teagan Berry is a try scoring machine, also having scored the most tries in the NRLW premiership history. Berry is already building a long-lasting legacy at the Dragons, having scored 22 tries in 24 games and being the club's longest tenured player, contracted there until at least the end of 2025.  

MY TIP: St George Illawarra were inching towards a second half comeback against the Titans but just fell short, and I think this will be a motivating factor for them to come out strong away from home and get their first win of the season. This is contrasted against the Cowboys who were unable to get a point on the board away from home this weekend, which will have them hungry to get their season back on even ground. Dragons by 8

1. Francesca Goldthorp 2. Krystal Blackwell 3. Jakiya Whitfeld 4. Jasmine Peters 5. Ebony Raftstrand-Smith 6. Tahlulah Tillett 7. Kirra Dibb 15. Lily Peacock 9. Emma Manzelmann 10. Essay Banu 11. China Polata 12. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith 13. Bree Chester 8. Tallisha Harden 14. Alisha Foord 16. Sareka Mooka 17. Shaniah Power 19. Harata Butler

1. Teagan Berry 2. Kimberley Hunt 3. Keele Browne 4. Bobbi Law 5. Margot Vella 6. Zali Hopkins 7. Raecene Mcgregor 8. Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa 9. Sophie Clancy 10. Jamilee Bright 11. Shenai Lendill 12. Charlotte Basham 13. Alexis Tauaneai 14. Kasey Reh 15. Sara Sautia 16. Bronte Wilson 17. Steph Hancock 20. Tayla Curtis

Referees: Karra-Lee Nolan; Sideline Officials: Ethan Klein, Rochelle Tamarua; Video Referees: David Munro;