MONDAY'S EXPERT - 2024 NRLW Round 7

A full wrap-up of Round 7 of the NRLW with reports from our contributors 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.

Cowboys deny testing Tigers a first win

with AJ Lucantonio

The North Queensland Cowboys have rebounded nicely following last Sunday's defeat to the Broncos, keeping Brett Kimmorley's Tigers winless in a great game of NRLW football by 24-22.

The Tigers started slowly and failed to capitalise on several sets down the Cowboys end. As a result, the home side crossed for the first try as Lavinia Tauhalaliku was able to get on the outside of defenders to cross down the left sideline. Kirra Dibb's boot was critical in this contest, and she nailed it from touch to make it a 6-0 game. This was doubled soon after as Jakiya Whitfeld scored against her old club, running onto a beautiful pass from Dibb and it was 12-0 early in the contest.

Wests did well to stay in touch with the Cowboys and got their reward when Bo Vette-Welsh sliced her way through the Cowboys edge defence, fending past Whitfeld and the Tigers hit back. Goal kicking was critical and unfortunately, this one was waved away leaving the scores at 12-4 at the break.

Brett Kimmorley would've been filthy with his side's response after the break as Jasmine Peters atoned for a bombed try before half-time. Peters was able to get on the outside of the defensive line and race away to score making it 18-4 to the Cowboys. The Tigers needed to be next to score and they were as debutant Evie McGrath chased her own grubber kick, the back three of the Cowboys made a mess of cleaning it up and McGrath grounded it to keep in touch.

Three minutes after that try, the Tigers were off and running once more. Some nice interchange of passing down the right saw Rebecca Pollard find space. She got a pass back inside which was touched in flight and Rikeya Horne was there to sprint away to score and get the margin back to four. Unfortunately, their first attempt to level the score was pulled back as the Bunker found an obstruction in the lead-up.

Fortunately, they didn't need to worry for much longer as Pollard finished off a nice set-move to score in the corner to level the scores. North Queensland weren't going to go down though, a terrific long range kick return by Tauhalaliku gave the Cowboys prime field position. Jetaya Faifua took matters into her own hands as she raced away to give the Cowboys a converted try lead.

The match was nearly sealed minutes later, but the Bunker again intervened when they found a knock on by Lillian Yarrow. The Tigers capitalised immediately when Losana Lutu stepped her way through to score. But, as we mentioned so often, goal kicking played apart with the conversion again sailing wide and the Cowboys hung on.

North Queensland Cowboys (W) 24 Wests Tigers (W) 22
Venue: Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville / Wulgurukaba

Date: Sat, 7th September.   Kickoff: 11:00 AM.   Halftime: North QLD (W) 12-4.   Penalties: Wests Tigers (W) 5-3.   Referee: Daniel Schwass.   Crowd: 1,314.

North Qld (W): Goldthorp, Naikore, Whitfeld, Peters, Tauhalaliku; Tillett, Dibb (C); Mooka, Manzelmann, Banu, Power, Raftstrand-Smith, Chester. Int: Harden, Faifua, Yarrow, Long.
Wests Tigers (W): Vette-Welsh (C), Lee-Thorne, Piliae-Rasabale, Horne, Pollard; McGrath, Lutu; Togatuki, Prior, Pio, Talataina, Clifford, George. Int: McGone, Reinke, Penitani, Savill.

North Queensland Cowboys (24)
Tries: Jasmine Peters, Jetaya Faifua, Lavinia Tauhalaliku, Jakiya Whitfeld
Goals: Kirra Dibb 4/4

Wests Tigers (22)
Tries: Rikeya Horne, Botille Vette-Welsh, Rebecca Pollard, Losana Lutu, Evie Mcgrath
Goals: Pauline Piliae-Rasabale 1/5

Raiders finally win a close one

with AJ Lucantonio

NRLW history was created with the highest scoring game in the competition's history. Canberra were fortunate to escape with a 38-34 verdict over St George Illawarra.

The Raiders started with intent as they looked to bounce-back following a last start loss to the Roosters. Two tries in the opening 15 minutes set Canberra up strongly. Madison Bartlett scored early after a brilliant pass from Ash Quinlan and the Raiders looked the goods early. Grace Kemp added a second minutes later after a strong individual effort carrying several defenders on her way to the line.

St George Illawarra weren't going down quietly despite a week of negative press surrounding their coach Jamie Soward. Teagan Berry showed her class crossing for a brilliant individual try. Canberra quickly responded with a brilliant bust created by Zehara Temara, Monalisa Soliola burst straight through delivering a delightful ball to Shakiah Tungai to score for the Raiders.

The Dragons found two late tries prior to half-time. A Racene McGregor bomb couldn't be defused by Apii Nicholls and Shenai Lendill was jolly on the spot to pick it up and score for the Red V. In the shadows of half-time, Alexis Tauaneai charged across, and we were locked at 16 all at the break.

Straight after the break, a horrible hip-drop tackle by Kerehitina Matua saw her quickly sent to the sin-bin by referee Karra-Lee Nolan. St George Illawarra capitalised on the extra lady advantage and Taunaeai crashed over following a brilliant pass from Zali Hopkins. Bobbi Law came back from a HIA and set up the Dragons next try with a brilliant offload to Kasey Reh to make it a two possession game as the sin-bin period came to an end.

Canberra put on a clinic with under 15 to go as an inside ball from Temara sent Ash Quinlan away to score and keep the Raiders in touch. Three minutes later, Kemp had a double as she charged across some pedestrian Dragons defence in a carbon copy of the first try she scored. An error from Law saw Canberra recover possession and it was a quick spread out to the left hand side and Bartlett finished with a second try of the game. Amelia Pasikala finished off the match in style with a brilliant individual try to put the game seemingly beyond doubt.

However, the Dragons played to the final siren as we saw some Berry brilliance to keep it to within a four point game. Despite a near Hail Mary play from the Red V, it wasn't to be as the Raiders keep pressure on the teams trying to make the finals.

St George Illawarra Dragons (W) 34 Canberra Raiders (W) 38
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Carlton / Bidjigal

Date: Sat, 7th September.   Kickoff: 12:45 PM.   Halftime: 16-all.   Penalties: 5-all.   Referee: Karra-Lee Nolan.   Crowd: 5,570.

St Geo Illa (W): Berry, Fotu-Moala, Browne, Law, Gregory; Reh, McGregor (C); Teakaraanga-Katoa, Clancy, Bright, Lendill, Koster, Tauaneai. Int: Hopkins, Mulhall, Basham, Hancock.
Canberra (W): Nicholls-Pualau, Bartlett, Robins-Reti, Wuruki-Hosea, Tungai; Temara (C), Quinlan; Kemp, Barnes, Holyman, Soliola, Quinlan, Temara. Int: Faleono, Matua, Pasikala, Finau.

St George-Illawarra Dragons (34)
Tries: Teagan Berry 2, Alexis Tauaneai 2, Shenai Lendill, Kasey Reh
Goals: Raecene Mcgregor 5/6

Canberra Raiders (38)
Tries: Madison Bartlett 2, Grace Kemp 2, Shakiah Tungai, Ashleigh Quinlan, Amelia Pasikala
Goals: Zahara Temara 5/7

Roosters nil Sharks, stun everyone

with Josh Robertson

The Cronulla Sharks unbeaten run came to a screeching halt when the Sydney Roosters showed why they are still one of the teams to beat with a 40-0 win over Cronulla.

Things didn't start well for the Sharks as an early error and penalty gave the Tricolours field position and Otesa Pule opened the scoring in just the fourth minute of the game. Things didn't go the Sharks way with another penalty and then a Kelleher 40/20 giving them momentum as Olivia Kernick crashed over for a 10-0 lead.

Sam Bremner then turned back the clock as he showed temporary retirement didn't blunt her speed as she ran to the line and scored for a 16-0 lead. The Roosters then added a try to Mia Wood just shy of the half-hour mark and after the conversion it gave them a 22-0 lead.

The Roosters then continued their momentum not long after halftime with tries in quick succession to Mia Wood and Brydie Parker which were both unconverted for a 30-0 lead.

Finishing things off in the last the Roosters added two more tries in the last 10 minutes when Isabelle Kelly scored out wide off a good Sam Bremner ball and then Taina Naividi got over in the corner. Both conversions were missed which meant a 40-0 win for the Roosters over the previously undefeated Sharks.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (W) 0 Sydney Roosters (W) 40
Venue: PointsBet Stadium, Woolooware / Dharawal

Date: Sun, 8th September.   Kickoff: 12:00 PM.   Halftime: Sydney (W) 22-0.   Penalties: Cronulla (W) 6-4.   Referee: Belinda Sharpe.   Crowd: 1,901.

Cronulla (W): Staples, du Toit, Penitani (C), Biddle, Ravics; Tonegato, Preston; Johnston, Dodd, Wheeler, Holmes, Byers, Anderson. Int: Smale, Saunders, Foliaki, Dymock.
Sydney (W): Bremner, Parker, Strange, Kelly (C), Wood; Kelleher, Aiken; Pule, Davis, Hopoate, Lopamaua, Kernick, Davison. Int: Naividi, Hall, Papalii, Economos.

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks Women (0)

Sydney Roosters Women (40)
Tries: Mia Wood 2, Samantha Bremner, Isabelle Kelly, Taina Naividi, Olivia Kernick, Brydie Parker, Otesa Pule
Goals: Jocelyn Kelleher 4/8

Eels down Titans at home

with Tim Costello

An Elsie Albert double has helped the Parramatta Eels to an important eighth-round win over Gold Coast at Eric Tweedale Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Despite having significantly less ball than the visiting side, Parramatta made it count when they did have it, starting with Albert's first try which opened the scoring three minutes into the contest. Monique Donovan followed with a try from a kick chase, the Eels ahead 12-0 early before Emily Bass hit back for the Gold Coast for 12-4.

Niall Williams-Guthrie was second to cross for the visitors but Lauren Brown's wayward conversion meant the Titans trailed 12-8 at halftime.

After a few failed attempts, Gold Coast ended up in front when Ngatokotoru Arakua crossed and when Brown finally nailed a conversion, were 14-12 leaders.

The last twelve minutes saw Parramatta cruise home with Rory Owen putting her side back ahead in the first instance before Albert's second led the Eels to a 10-point victory just 4 minutes from the final siren.

The loss makes it exceedingly difficult for the Gold Coast to make the finals, while Parramatta are just differential outside the top four with two rounds remaining.

Parramatta Eels (W) 24 Gold Coast Titans (W) 14
Venue: Eric Tweedale Stadium, Merrylands / Dharug

Date: Sun, 8th September.   Kickoff: 1:45 PM.   Halftime: Parramatta (W) 12-8.   Penalties: Gold Coast (W) 9-5.   Referee: Luke Saldern.   Crowd: 734.

Parramatta (W): Church, Fay, Owen, Kelly, Donovan; Tohi-Hiku, Pearson; Albert, Todhunter, Jones, Jackson, Murphy (C), Eales. Int: Beckett, Amiatu, Fonua, Tui.
Gold Coast (W): Pelite, Grey, Masaga, Williams-Guthrie, Bass; Lofipo, Brown; Mato, Breayley-Nati, Elliston, Canfield, Bent, Hale (C). Int: Clarke, Gray, Montgomery, Arakua.

Parramatta Eels (24)
Tries: Elsie Albert 2, Monique Donovan, Rory Owen
Goals: Rachael Pearson 4/4

Gold Coast Titans (14)
Tries: Ngatokotoru Arakua, Emily Bass, Niall Williams-Guthrie
Goals: Lauren Brown 1/3

Broncos double comeback sinks Knights

with Beth Nicholls

The Knights looked like they were going to get the job done, but a tremendous second-half effort from the Broncos gets them their fifth in a row. 

Despite trailing 18-6 in the 36th minute the Broncos fought their way back to win 32-24, taking a major step to the 2024 Finals series. 

The Knights opened the scoring in the 9th minute through forward Rima Butler, who crashed over the line with ease from short range. 

But with the Knights quickly turned attack into defense after making an error in the set following the try. The Broncos lofted the ball from edge to edge, which saw Stacey Waaka score a try in the corner for the visitors, but with Romy Teitzel unable to convert the Knights led by two. 

The next fifteen minutes was a back-and-forth affair, with neither team being able to capitalise and score any points, whilst being riddled with errors. 

Former Bronco now Knights fullback, Tamika Upton then put her team up, speeding down the field with some fancy footwork, dancing her way around defenders and adding 45 metres to her run metres for the game. 

The Knights went into the sheds at halftime leading by eight points with a 12-4 scoreline. Which very quickly become 18-6 just one minute into the second half, after Shanice Parker easily crashed through the Broncos defenders. 

Brisbane slowly closed the gap, with a perfect pass from Hayley Maddick to Julia Robinson saw the winger go over in the corner for her _ try of the year in the 46th minute. A try four minutes to Brianna Clark with a successful conversion saw the Broncos only trail by two points. 

The Broncos' fun didn't last long though, with an error from the restart giving Newcastle back the ball and they very quickly capitalised; a dummy pass from Georgia Roche before a perfect inside ball saw Evie Jones cross over to widen the gap yet again. 

Though it isn't over yet for the visitors, with a pass from Teitzel to Stacey Waaka on the last play of the set sees Waaka run dangerously close to the line before planting the ball down over the line for a miracle try in the 57th minute. 

Newcastle then lose their lead for the first time ever in the game three minutes later when Lavinia Gould takes on the line on her own from dummy half and gets over the line under the posts, giving Brisbane the lead 26-24. 

With seven minutes left to play it was still anyone's game, but the Broncos extended their lead beyond a converted try with Romy Teitzel scoring a try in the 64th minute, letting everyone know that they were going for five wins in a row. 

The Broncos finally got their revenge on reigning premiers, and now sit comfortably in third place, equal on wins with the Roosters, however with the Roosters 40-0 win over the Sharks they fall behind in points differential. Next week they take on the Sharks who are currently leading the ladder, and what could be a battle for top two. 

For the home side, they now drop the fourth, recording their third loss of the season, and their first loss since Round 4. Next week sees a Grand Final rematch where the Knights take on the Titans, who they successfully defeated to win the 2023 premiership. 

Newcastle Knights (W) 24 Brisbane Broncos (W) 32
Venue: McDonald Jones Stadium, New Lambton / Awabakal

Date: Sun, 8th September.   Kickoff: 6:10 PM.   Halftime: Newcastle (W) 12-4.   Penalties: 3-all.   Referee: Zbignew Przeklasa-Adamski.   

Newcastle (W): Upton, Gallagher, Parker, Roache, Willison; Roche, Southwell; Butler, Higgins, Karpani, Albert-Jones, Clydsdale, Southwell (C). Int: Jones, Romaniuk, Predebon, Tinao.
Brisbane (W): Maddick, Robinson, Hufanga, Ciesiolka, Waaka; Broughton, Brigginshaw (C); Clark, Ferguson, Lenarduzzi, Denman, Teitzel, Joseph. Int: Brill, Lafaele, Gould, Nu'uausala.

Newcastle Knights (24)
Tries: Shanice Parker, Rima Butler, Tamika Upton, Evie Jones
Goals: Jesse Southwell 4/4

Brisbane Broncos (32)
Tries: Stacey Waaka 2, Julia Robinson, Brianna Clark, Lavinia Gould, Romy Teitzel
Goals: Romy Teitzel 4/6

Round 8 ladder

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

RLP stats leaders

TOP TRYSCORERS

TOP GOALKICKERS

TOP POINTSCORERS

Player of the year

10 points - Tamika Upton (Knights)
9 points - Tiana Penitani (Sharks), Kennedy Cherrington (Eels)
8 points - Teagan Berry (Dragons)
7 points - Elsie Albert (Eels), Evania Pelite (Titans)
6 points - Tarryn Aiken (Roosters), Kirra Dibb (Cowboys)
5 points - Lauren Brown (Titans), Simaima Taufa (Raiders), Julia Robinson (Broncos), Jessica Sergis (Roosters), Hayley Maddick (Broncos)
4 points - Jakiya Whitfeld (Cowboys), Isabelle Kelly (Roosters), Annessa Biddle (Sharks), Stacey Waaka (Broncos), Alexis Tauaneai (Dragons), Ellie Johnston (Sharks), Olivia Kernick (Roosters), Rachael Pearson (Eels)
3 points - Grace Kemp (Raiders), Tahlulah Tillett (Cowboys), Ali Brigginshaw (Broncos), Tiana Raftstrand-Smith (Cowboys), Talei Holmes (Sharks), Emma Tonegato (Sharks), Mele Hufanga (Broncos), Romy Teitzel (Broncos), Hannah Southwell (Knights), Georgia Hale (Titans), Quincy Dodd (Sharks), Lilly-Ann White (Knights), Jocelyn Kelleher (Roosters), Zahara Temara (Raiders), Sheridan Gallagher (Knights)
2 points - Lavinia Tauhalaliku (Cowboys), Abigail Roache (Knights), Chelsea Lenarduzzi (Broncos), Abbi Church (Eels), Shenae Ciesiolka (Broncos), Amber Hall (Roosters), Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa (Dragons), Madison Bartlett (Raiders), Christian Pio (Wests Tigers), Otesa Pule (Roosters), Tafito Lafaele (Broncos), Brooke Anderson (Sharks), Rory Owen (Eels)
1 point - Sophie Holyman (Raiders), Sarina Masaga (Titans), Ash Quinlan (Raiders), Rikeya Horne (Wests Tigers), Sam Bremner (Roosters), Jesse Southwell (Knights), Millie Elliott (Roosters), Mackenzie Wiki (Raiders), Kezie Apps (Wests Tigers), Emily Bass (Titans), Lily Peacock (Cowboys), Tazmin Rapana (Broncos), Rosemarie Beckett (Eels), Keilee Joseph (Broncos), Jasmine Peters (Cowboys), Raecene Mcgregor (Dragons), Tess Staines (Wests Tigers), Laishon Albert-Jones (Knights), Shannon Mato (Titans), Shanice Parker (Knights)