MONDAY'S EXPERT - 2024 NRLW Round 8

A full wrap-up of Round 8 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.

Tigers break season duck at Leichhardt

with Tim Costello

A late Dragons comeback wasn't enough to steal the limelight from a drought-breaking Wests Tigers team on Thursday night at a wet and sparse Leichhardt Oval.

Having raced to a 14-0 halftime lead, the home side managed only a penalty goal in the second half - but it proved absolutely crucial as they withheld a surging Dragons outfit in awful conditions in Sydney's inner west.

The Tigers were on the board first at the seven minute mark with Rebecca Pollard scoring the first of her two tries, dashing over in the right corner after the hosts picked up a crucial penalty.

Not long after Leainne Tufuga had the Tigers second and the fast start was looking convincing. When Pollard picked up her brace in the 31st minute, it was clear the Tigers were the real deal.

It wasn't until 8 minutes after the break the Dragons finally cracked the duck, with a Pollard error eventually handing Fotu-Moala a Red V four-pointer. Soon after Madison Mulhall went over and the Tigers' lead was abruptly cut to just four.

Step up Pauline Piliae-Rasabale, whose penalty goal ultimately won the game - meaning a late Fotu-Moala try (which went unconverted) wasn't enough for the Dragons right near the fulltime siren.

The Tigers' win keeps their narrow hopes of avoiding the spoon alive (albeit only mathematically, and even then...) and ensures the Jamie Soward era at the Dragons ends with a bottom-four finish.

Wests Tigers (W) 16 St George Illawarra Dragons (W) 14
Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Lilyfield / Wanngal

Date: Thu, 12th September.   Kickoff: 7:45 PM.   Halftime: Wests Tigers (W) 14-0.   Penalties: St Geo Illa (W) 7-5.   Referee: Luke Saldern.   Crowd: 506.

Wests Tigers (W): Vette-Welsh (C), Pollard, Tufuga, Horne, Nielsen; McGrath, Lutu; Togatuki, Prior, Pio, Talataina, Brown, George. Int: Savill, Reinke, Penitani, Piliae-Rasabale.
St Geo Illa (W): Berry, Fotu-Moala, Browne, Law, Gregory; Nathan-Wong, McGregor (C); Teakaraanga-Katoa, Reh, Bright, Lendill, Koster, Tauaneai. Int: Hopkins, Mulhall, Preston, Wilson.

Wests Tigers (16)
Tries: Rebecca Pollard 2, Leianne Tufuga
Goals: Pauline Piliae-Rasabale 2/3

St George-Illawarra Dragons (14)
Tries: Maatuleio Fotu-Moala 2, Madison Mulhall
Goals: Raecene Mcgregor 1/3

Six straight as Broncos shun Sharks

with Beth Nicholls

The Broncos fly to win six in a row, whilst the Sharks fall to back-to-back losses after a flawless start to their season.  

Despite trailing 14-16 with only a minute left on the clock, the Broncos manage to get the job done yet again to seal their chances at a 2024 finals run.

The Broncos opened the scoring in the fifth minute with an offload from Chelsea Lenarduzzi allowed for the Brisbane side to shift the ball to the right, with Stacey Waaka crossing over for her sixth try in six games.

It didn't take long for the Sharks to attack back though, with the Broncos defenders unable to stop Ellie Johnston who powered over the line, and a successful conversion from Tayla Preston put the away side in front by two points.

After four consecutive sets in their red zone, it looked like the Sharks had finally got the job done and added another four points to the scoreline, however after reviewing it was determined that Filomina Hanisi lost the ball over the line.

The Broncos' strong defence was rewarded just before halftime, with five-eight Gayle Broughton throwing a dummy and then crossing over, to give the home side the lead 10-6.

Though, the second half did not continue in good fashion for the Broncos, with Hanisi making a linebreak for the Sharks and then quick ball movement, allowed for Cassie Staples to cross over for them. A missed conversion kept the score tied up at 10 all.

Only five minutes later saw Sharks take the lead for the first time, with Georgia Ravics catching a bomb from Tayla Preston and take the ball over the line.

For the next ten minutes neither team could capitalise, but then in the 54###sup

minute a long pass from Maddick to Robinson, saw the Brisbane winger go over for another try in the 2024 season. A successful kick put the Broncos just two points behind the Sharks.

Brisbane continued trailing by two, with neither team able to score, but in the final 20 second of the match, Chelsea Lenarduzzi powered through the line on her own on the last tackle and gave the Broncos their sixth win of the season.

Despite looking like they were destined for their first loss since Round 2, the Broncos yet again get the job done, and see themselves in second place, where in the final round they take on the Dragons in Townsville, fighting for minor premiership pending the results of the Roosters in Round 9. For the Sharks, they see themselves in third position, facing two losses in a row, where next week they come up against the West Tigers, who recorded their first season win this past round.

Brisbane Broncos (W) 20 Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (W) 16
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Robina / Yugambeh

Date: Sat, 14th September.   Kickoff: 12:00 PM.   Halftime: Brisbane (W) 10-6.   Penalties: Brisbane (W) 7-3.   Referee: Daniel Schwass.   

Brisbane (W): Maddick, Robinson, Hufanga, Ciesiolka, Waaka; Broughton, Brigginshaw (C); Clark, Ferguson, Lenarduzzi, Denman, Teitzel, Joseph. Int: Brill, Lafaele, Gould, Nu'uausala.
Cronulla (W): Tonegato, Staples, Penitani (C), Biddle, Ravics; Hannaway, Preston; Johnston, Dodd, Wheeler, Holmes, Byers, Anderson. Int: Saunders, Foliaki, Dymock, Hanisi.

Brisbane Broncos (20)
Tries: Chelsea Lenarduzzi, Julia Robinson, Gayle Broughton, Stacey Waaka
Goals: Romy Teitzel 2/4

Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks (16)
Tries: Ellie Johnston, Georgia Ravics, Cassie Staples
Goals: Tayla Preston 2/3

Knights punish battered Titans to knock them out of finals contention

with Aidan Edgecomb

It was a warm Saturday afternoon, and the second game of an NRLW double header at Cbus Super Stadium, where the Gold Coast Titans fell in a 46-10 thrashing to the Newcastle Knights.

Very few gave the Titans even a slim chance against the reigning premiers, yet when they knocked the ball on off the kickoff, the beating the ensued was beyond even what most Newcastle fans could've hoped for.

Just 70 seconds later, the Knights opened the scoring through a short pass to Yasmin Clydsdale, and the standard for the rest of the match was set. It was clear Gold Coast gave it their all to swing the momentum back in their favour, but even a try saving tackle by Brittany Breayley-Nati wasn't enough, as Sheridan Gallagher scored in the corner off the very next play, making it 10-0 with as many minutes gone.

Yet again, the Titans gave maximum effort up the middle in an attempt to make up for their slow start, and had a golden try scoring opportunity just a few minutes later, as the attacked the Knights line. They had a two on one down their left edge, but it was Jamie Chapman who threw an intercept pass to Gallagher who ran 60 meters before being tackled - all for fullback Tamika Upton to score off a chip kick the very next play.

By then, the 18-point deficit was too much, and Newcastle continued to apply pressure and put on points, with dummy half Olivia Higgins scoring, and both Clydsdale and Gallagher crossing for their second, giving the visitors a massive 34-0 lead at halftime.

To make matters worse for Gold Coast, Ngatokotoru Arakua was sin binned for a dangerous tackle in the 42nd minute, and the struggling Titans were forced to defend with 12 women for 10 minutes. In this time, the floodgates opened - first through Shanice Parker who scored unmarked in the corner, and then Gallagher yet again off a scrum, bagging a hat-trick to make it 42-0 still with 20 minutes to play.

It wasn't until the 55th minute where Georgia Grey granted the hosts their first points of the match, as the shrugged off Abigail Roache to score in the corner. The Knights quickly struck back through winger Tenika Willison, and were then followed just four minutes later by Titans forward Laikha Clarke who crashed over to make it 46-10 - which would be the score to full time in what was a clearly one-sided contest.

Gold Coast Titans (W) 10 Newcastle Knights (W) 46
Venue: Cbus Super Stadium, Robina / Yugambeh

Date: Sat, 14th September.   Kickoff: 1:45 PM.   Halftime: Newcastle (W) 34-0.   Penalties: Newcastle (W) 5-2.   Referee: Belinda Sharpe.   

Gold Coast (W): Pelite, Grey, Chapman, Fuimaono, Sim; Lofipo, Montgomery; Mato, Breayley-Nati, Elliston, Canfield, Bent, Hale (C). Int: Kolc, Clarke, Masaga, Arakua.
Newcastle (W): Upton, Gallagher, Parker, Roache, Willison; Roche, Southwell; Butler, Higgins, Karpani, Albert-Jones, Clydsdale, Southwell (C). Int: Maynard, Romaniuk, Predebon, Tinao, Jones.

Gold Coast Titans (10)
Tries: Laikha Clarke, Georgia Grey
Goals: Zara Canfield 1/2

Newcastle Knights (46)
Tries: Sheridan Gallagher 3, Yasmin Clydsdale 2, Shanice Parker, Olivia Higgins, Tamika Upton, Tenika Willison
Goals: Jesse Southwell 5/9

Kelly the history maker as Roosters shoot top

with AJ Lucantonio

The Sydney Roosters have shown they are a force to be reckoned with in 2024 with a strong 24-12 win over the North Queensland Cowboys at Industree Group Stadium.

The star of the show was Isabelle Kelly who broke the NRLW record for most running metres in a single match with 350 metres.

It was a strong start for the home side as Keeley Davis show his skill with excellent dummy half service to Olivia Kernick who charged over for the opening try of the contest. North Queensland stayed with the Roosters last year before the second half obliteration in the final round. This was much the same as Kirra Dibb showed and goed to score the equaliser. They soon found themselves in front courtesy of a try from Jakiya Whitfeld. The football was scrappy but a lovely pass from Dibb saw Whitfeld score to put the Cowboys in front.

The margin could've been worse as Eliza Lopamaua was sin-binned for a hip-drop tackle in the tackle which proceeded the Whitfeld try. Fortunately, the Roosters hung deep and refused to have their line breached for the remainder of the contest despite the Cowboys having a plethora of chances.

Amber Hall capitalised once more in a barge over effort and despite the live call of no-try, the bunker overturned the decision and the scores were level. Jasmine Strange added a try in the dying moments of the first half with a brilliant passing movement from Jocelyn Kelleher and Kernick combining to send Strange over to make it 18-12 at the break.

The second half saw chances for both sides but the Roosters capitalised 13 minutes into the second stanza. Otesa Pule beat a swag of Cowboys defenders to score a cracking individual try to make it a two possession game. Despite trying hard, the Cowboys couldn't crack the Roosters line again and went down in a brave effort as their finals hopes are on life-support.            The Roosters can keep the Cowboys' hopes alive with a big win over Parramatta but could be without Sam Bremner who came from the field with 7 to play.

Sydney Roosters (W) 24 North Queensland Cowboys (W) 12
Venue: Industree Group Stadium, Gosford / Darkinjung

Date: Sun, 15th September.   Kickoff: 12:00 PM.   Halftime: Sydney (W) 18-12.   Penalties: North Qld (W) 5-4.   Referee: Zbignew Przeklasa-Adamski.   

Sydney (W): Bremner, Fressard, Strange, Kelly (C), Wood; Parker, Kelleher; Pule, Davis, Hopoate, Lopamaua, Kernick, Davison. Int: Hall, Papalii, Naividi, Elliott.
North Qld (W): Goldthorp, Naikore, Whitfeld, Peters, Tauhalaliku; Tillett, Dibb (C); Yarrow, Manzelmann, Banu, Power, Raftstrand-Smith, Chester. Int: Harden, Faifua, Peacock, Tupou-Witchman, Blackwell.

Sydney Roosters (24)
Tries: Jasmin Strange, Olivia Kernick, Amber Hall, Otesa Pule
Goals: Jocelyn Kelleher 4/4

North Queensland Cowboys (12)
Tries: Kirra Dibb, Jakiya Whitfeld
Goals: Kirra Dibb 2/2

Eels keep the finals dream alive in the capital

with Josh Robertson

The Parramatta Eels kept their slim finals chances alive with an 18-16 victory over the Canberra Raiders at GIO Stadium.

Starting fast off what was almost a 40/5 from Rachael Pearson, the Eels had possession close to the Raiders line and scored after just four minutes through Mahalia Murphy. Parramatta extended their lead to 12-0 when Tyla Amiatu scored with both converted.

It was almost a reverse Raiders performance as they started slowly but made a comeback as got back within two points following second half tries to Madison Bartlett in the 42^nd minute and Simaima Taufa in the 57th minute with only one of the two tries converted.

Parramatta put themselves back further ahead when Rory Owen crossed with just six minutes remaining which went unconverted though the two points came shortly after when Simaima Taufa was penalised for being out of play and getting involved.

A controversial final try for the Raiders inside the last 20 seconds gave them a chance despite it looking to be a forward pass however instead of denying the goal opportunity and giving themselves one play, Zahara Temara took the shot at goal from the sideline with just seconds left with the flags going up as the siren leaving everyone bemused on why they took the kick.

Canberra Raiders (W) 16 Parramatta Eels (W) 18
Venue: GIO Stadium Canberra, Bruce / Ngunnawal

Date: Sun, 15th September.   Kickoff: 1:45 PM.   Halftime: Parramatta (W) 12-0.   Penalties: Parramatta (W) 7-4.   Referee: Karra-Lee Nolan.   

Canberra (W): Nicholls-Pualau, Bartlett, Robins-Reti, Wiki, Tungai; Temara (C), Quinlan; Kemp, Temara, Holyman, Soliola, Dodd, Taufa. Int: Barnes, Faleono, Pasikala, Quinlan, Wuruki-Hosea.
Parramatta (W): Church, Fay, Owen, Kelly, Donovan; Tohi-Hiku, Pearson; Albert, Todhunter, Jones, Jackson, Murphy (C), Eales. Int: Beckett, Amiatu, Fonua, Tui, Middleton.

Canberra Raiders (16)
Tries: Simaima Taufa, Shakiah Tungai, Madison Bartlett
Goals: Zahara Temara 2/3

Parramatta Eels (18)
Tries: Mahalia Murphy, Tyla Amiatu, Rory Owen
Goals: Rachael Pearson 3/4

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

13 points - Tamika Upton (Knights)

9 points - Tiana Penitani (Sharks), Kennedy Cherrington (Eels)

8 points - Teagan Berry (Dragons)

7 points - Hayley Maddick (Broncos), Simaima Taufa (Raiders), Elsie Albert (Eels), Evania Pelite (Titans), Isabelle Kelly (Roosters), Rachael Pearson (Eels)

6 points - Olivia Kernick (Roosters), Kirra Dibb (Cowboys), Alexis Tauaneai (Dragons), Tarryn Aiken (Roosters)

5 points - Jakiya Whitfeld (Cowboys), Chelsea Lenarduzzi (Broncos), Sheridan Gallagher (Knights), Julia Robinson (Broncos), Jessica Sergis (Roosters), Lauren Brown (Titans)

4 points - Ellie Johnston (Sharks), Stacey Waaka (Broncos), Annessa Biddle (Sharks)

3 points - Mele Hufanga (Broncos), Ali Brigginshaw (Broncos), Jocelyn Kelleher (Roosters), Emma Tonegato (Sharks), Rebecca Pollard (Wests Tigers), Romy Teitzel (Broncos), Quincy Dodd (Sharks), Tiana Raftstrand-Smith (Cowboys), Zahara Temara (Raiders), Lilly-Ann White (Knights), Hannah Southwell (Knights), Tahlulah Tillett (Cowboys), Talei Holmes (Sharks), Georgia Hale (Titans), Grace Kemp (Raiders)

2 points - Tafito Lafaele (Broncos), Angelina Teakaraanga Katoa (Dragons), Abigail Roache (Knights), Otesa Pule (Roosters), Lavinia Tauhalaliku (Cowboys), Rory Owen (Eels), Shenae Ciesiolka (Broncos), Brooke Anderson (Sharks), Madison Bartlett (Raiders), Keilee Joseph (Broncos), Amber Hall (Roosters), Abbi Church (Eels), Christian Pio (Wests Tigers)

1 point - Emily Bass (Titans), Kezie Apps (Wests Tigers), Sam Bremner (Roosters), Tazmin Rapana (Broncos), Olivia Higgins (Knights), Mahalia Murphy (Eels), Lily Peacock (Cowboys), Sarah Togatuki (Wests Tigers), Millie Elliott (Roosters), Sarina Masaga (Titans), Mackenzie Wiki (Raiders), Shannon Mato (Titans), Laishon Albert-Jones (Knights), Tess Staines (Wests Tigers), Jasmine Peters (Cowboys), Raecene Mcgregor (Dragons), Shanice Parker (Knights), Rikeya Horne (Wests Tigers), Sophie Holyman (Raiders), Rosemarie Beckett (Eels), Jesse Southwell (Knights), Ash Quinlan (Raiders)