We saw glimpses of the Roosters attacking ceiling last week against a decimated Broncos pack. With some of the most productive outside backs in the NRLW and a stacked forward rotation, Easts can be expected to win the ruck most weeks as they did in NRLW Round 2. The difference last week were the involvements of halfback Tarryn Aiken playing both sides of the ruck while Sam Bremner added an extra number at fullback in her retirement comeback game.
Easts attack still has a few more gears to go but I like the value in Wests to keep it close(ish) here.
The Tigers leaked 28 points to the Gold Coast last week but that result was more a reflection of Jaime Chapman’s individual brilliance than it was of Wests current form. There are still some defensive issues for Brett Kimmorley to work out but the Tigers left edge through Losana Lutu continues to generate repeatable looks in attack. Left winger Tess Staines left a couple out there last week but can cash in here.
Some smart coaching from Darren Borthwick down in Canberra has seen the Raiders play to their strengths in attack to begin the season. They play an expansive style through the Api Nicholls, Ash Quinlan and Zahara Temara who throw some of the better long passes in the women’s game. It allows Canberra to play coast-to-coast in attack and bring their strike ball carriers into the game on either edge.
How that style holds up under pressure and fatigue will be the challenge for the Raiders, moving forward. Newcastle eventually managed to force errors with their defence last week and the boot of Taylor Preston can help do the same for Cronulla here.
Another injury setback for Jada Taylor sees Tiana Penitani debutise at fullback and young gun Georgia Hannaway retain her position in the halves. Hannaway had some very impressive touches last week in a ballplaying role and I like her to convert Cronulla’s field position into points down their left edge.
The bounce of the ball favoured North Queensland a few times last week but they made their own luck courtesy of a much improved showing through the middle of the field. Dominant physically, the Cowboys repeatedly created chances for Emma Manzelmann and Kirra Dibb to get over the ad line at a retreating defence. They don’t have a lot of repeatable actions in their attack right now but North Queensland can do a lot worse than emulate their effort areas from NRLW Round 2.
Parramatta on the other hand beat themselves against Cronulla last week. Without a completion from their last four sets, the Eels failed to defend a deserving albeit narrow lead through to fulltime. While disappointing at the finish, there is a lot to like about how the Eels are playing on both sides of the ball.
They are resilient in defence and have some simple and repeatable actions in attack through Cassey Tohi-Hiku on their left edge and Kennedy Cherrington through the middle of the field. They should win the yardage battle here and crash over a few times around Tohi-Hiku in good-ball.
I tipped Brisbane for the 2024 NRLW premiership on the back of their stacked forward rotation and the attacking duo of Gayle Broughton and Mele Hufanga on the left edge.
With forwards injured or suspended in both games to start the year however and Broughton named to make her first appearance of the year on Sunday, Brisbane have missed the start in this premiership race. Making things worse is one of the worst completion rates (average 65%) in the NRLW right now.
Brisbane have been their own worst enemy to start the year and now have the Gold Coast’s NRLW-best defence to contend with this week. Boasting the best middle trio in the women’s game and a career-best Evania Pelite at fullback, the Titans are the form team in the competition after two games played.
Needing a response and with Broughton (and potentially Shenae Ciesolka) named to return, I’m backing the Broncos to keep this one close against the odds.
St George-Illawarra can count themselves unlucky to be 0-and-2 and now awaiting the defending premiers in NRLW Round 3. Resilient under pressure and showing wonderful fight to stay in the grind against a weight of possession and field position, the Dragons are doing enough around star duo Raecene McGregor and Teagen Berry to challenge the Knights in this one.
In saying that, Newcastle are a daunting prospect at home. They stay composed in the grind better than any team in the NRLW and consistently win the territory battle thanks to a productive back five and the kicking game of Jesse Southwell.
As much as I like St George to keep things interesting, it’s difficult to see Newcastle dropping this one given the health and familiarity of their roster.
Written by Oscar Pannifex | rugbyleaguewriters.com