In NRLW Round 4, the Cronulla Sharks maintained their hot streak, continuing their unbeaten run with a 14-12 win over the reigning champions, Newcastle Knights. However, the victory was overshadowed by a frightening injury to Sharks second-rower Talei Holmes, who was stretchered off the field in the final minutes after a head knock during a tackle. The incident halted the game for about six minutes as medical staff from both teams attended to the 24-year-old player, who received applause from the crowd as she was carried off the field. Despite this, the Sharks remain the only team with a perfect record after four rounds.
Under the guidance of coach Tony Herman, the Sharks have already defeated pre-season favorites Canberra and Parramatta, along with the Knights, who have set the benchmark for the past two seasons. In contrast, the Knights are struggling, suffering back-to-back losses for the first time since 2022 and currently holding a 2-2 record under new coach Ben Jeffries. Their woes were compounded by the loss of star halfback Jesse Southwell, who was knocked out while trying to tackle Quincy Dodd. Southwell’s absence was keenly felt as the Knights were unable to close the gap, leaving them fifth on the ladder.
Meanwhile, the Sydney Roosters delivered a dominant performance, overwhelming the St. George Illawarra Dragons in a 30-8 victory. The game remained tight until the 32nd minute when Isabelle Kelly’s try on the left edge broke the deadlock. The Roosters quickly seized control, with Tarryn Aiken setting up Sam Bremner, who then assisted Jayme Fressard for another try. Amber Hall further extended the Roosters’ lead after the Dragons mishandled a bomb, effectively sealing the game.
The Dragons, who scored first through Kimberly Hunt, faced additional challenges as Bobbi Law suffered a head knock and did not return to the game, potentially impacting their next match. Despite the initial promise, the Dragons were unable to keep pace with the Roosters’ onslaught.
Elsewhere, the Brisbane Broncos held off a late surge from the Canberra Raiders to secure a 20-18 win. The Broncos had a strong start, but the Raiders fought back, making it a close contest. The Broncos’ defense ultimately held firm in the final moments to preserve their lead.
In another match, the North Queensland Cowboys defeated the Gold Coast Titans 16-10, solidifying their position in the competition. The Cowboys managed to fend off the Titans, who put up a spirited fight but couldn’t overcome their opponents.
Overall, this round of NRLW showcased the intensity and unpredictability of the competition, with several teams facing critical injuries that could impact their upcoming performances.
