Dragons v Raiders NRLW preview

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St George Illawarra Dragons (W) v Canberra Raiders (W) Saturday 12:45pm at Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Carlton / Bidjigal

Will the Dragons resurgence continue after a dramatic week?

On Monday the NRLW world was rocked by the shock decision by St George Illawarra to end Jamie Soward's tenure as head coach when the 2024 season concludes. While the Dragons have only won 2 of 6 games and appear likely to miss finals, the surprise call was made in the days following the side's emphatic second win of the season - a 42-14 crushing of the Eels at Commbank Stadium last Saturday. Doubles to Keele Browne and Teagan Berry headlined a fantastic performance which saw the Red V pile on five second-half tries - and keep their flailing season just barely alive. They'll likely need to win all three of their remaining games and hope for results - but the season is not dead yet for Sowards' charges. And what better way to start that late surge than with a win over a struggling Raiders?

The poor Raiders. It's been a forgettable opening six weeks of the season in the capital. After trouncing the last-placed Tigers to start the season, Canberra have embarked on a five-game losing run that, when you look at each result, looks brutally unfair. The biggest losing margin was Sunday night's 14-point fall to the Roosters and it seems as though that's the straw that's broken the back of a side who's been in every contest this season and simply failed to come away with the result.

Last meeting: Round 4 2023 - Dragons 18 Raiders 19

Who to watch: Dragons captain Raecene McGregor is a well known name in the NRLW and for good reason. The halfback has played in every season of the competition since her debut in the Red V in 2018, celebrating three consecutive premiersips with the Broncos (twice) and Roosters (once) before eventually finding her way back to the Dragons. Her experience is going to be vital if Saturday's hosts are going to keep their top four hopes alive.

Canberra's season has been interrupted by injury - in particular to Monalisa Soliola. Missing the last two weeks as a late withdrawal, the Green Machine will want her strength and skill on the edges and tough defence to ensure they don't let this year completely unravel. While there's no hope for them salvaging their season with only three games left, there's plenty of pride on the line, particularly with rep spots up for grabs in the post-season.

MY TIP: The Dragons girls are gonna rally for 'Sowie' here. Dragons by 22.

1. Teagan Berry 2. Maatuleio Fotu-moala 3. Keele Browne 4. Bobbi Law 5. Alice Gregory 6. Kasey Reh 7. Raecene Mcgregor 8. Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa 14. Sophie Clancy 16. Jamilee Bright 11. Shenai Lendill 12. Ella Koster 13. Alexis Tauaneai 9. Zali Hopkins 10. Madison Mulhall 15. Charlotte Basham 17. Steph Hancock 18. Tayla Curtis

1. Apii Nicholls 2. Madison Bartlett 3. Cheyelle Robins-Reti 17. Relna Wuruki-hosea 5. Shakiah Tungai 6. Zahara Temara 7. Ash Quinlan 8. Grace Kemp 14. Emma Barnes 10. Sophie Holyman 11. Monalisa Soliola 12. Felice Quinlan 9. Chante Temara 15. Jaida Faleono 16. Kerehitina Matua 18. Amelia Pasikala 20. Tatiana Finau 21. Georgia Willey

Referees: Karra-Lee Nolan; Sideline Officials: Luke Saldern, Billy Greatbatch; Video Referees: Kasey Badger;