The Sydney Roosters secured their first victory of the National Women’s Rugby League (NRLW) premiership season with a convincing win over the Brisbane Broncos in Round 2. Meanwhile, the Parramatta Eels experienced a heart-wrenching two-point loss to the Cronulla Sharks, and the North Queensland Cowboys notched their first win in a high-scoring game against the St George Illawarra Dragons.
Close Encounters: Newcastle Knights Edge Out Opponents
The Newcastle Knights have shown their resilience in close matches, securing wins in both of their opening games. Last week, a missed last-minute conversion by Jocelyn Kelleher against the Sydney Roosters could have forced the game into extra time. This week, in a tense match against the Canberra Raiders, the Knights were awarded a penalty try in the final minute, sealing a 26-20 victory. Tamika Upton was fouled just before grounding the ball, and the officials’ brave decision to award the penalty try was deemed just.
Despite the tough loss, the Raiders have demonstrated their potential early in the season and appear poised to aim for a top-four finish, given their strong performances in the opening rounds.
Spectacular Tries Highlight the Weekend
The weekend saw a series of remarkable tries that showcased the athletic prowess across the competition. Zahara Temara opened the scoring for the Raiders with a sixth-minute try, thanks to an excellent offload from Simaima Taufa. In the Gold Coast Titans’ victory over the Wests Tigers, Jamie Chapman scored three tries, with her first being particularly impressive as she evaded multiple defenders. Kezie Apps’ break led to a try for Losana Lutu, who dodged five defenders in the same match.
The Dragons’ Teagan Berry and the Cowboys’ Jakiya Whitfeld also delivered standout performances. Berry’s try in the 47th minute sparked a Dragons comeback, while Whitfeld’s 63rd-minute try, utilizing her incredible speed, helped the Cowboys secure their win.
Injury Concerns Cast a ShadoW
Injuries significantly impacted the 2023 season, and unfortunately, 2024 seems to be following a similar trend. Several key players have already been sidelined. Jada Taylor left midway through her game with a suspected knee injury, and Emma Tonegato missed the week due to a calf injury. Sophie Holyman suffered a suspected bicep injury, requiring a sling, and Brittany Breayley-Nati couldn’t finish her game against the Tigers due to a wrist injury. Margot Vella from the Dragons also sustained an injury, while the Eels will be without Rueben Cherrington and Boss Kapua for the season due to injuries suffered in Round 1.
However, there is a silver lining. The alignment of the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership with the NRLW season provides an opportunity for teams to draw from a larger pool of players to cover these injuries. This strategic scheduling by NSW aims to ensure that teams have adequate depth to manage injury crises.
Quick Hits and Key Observations
– Sam Bremner’s return for the Roosters marks her participation in the even years of the competition: 2018, 2020, 2022, and now 2024.
– The Wests Tigers have struggled in Queensland, suffering three consecutive losses.
– Jaime Chapman continued her excellent form from the Grand Final with another hat-trick against the Tigers.
– The Sharks-Eels match was marred by 25 errors, making it a scrappy affair.
– Rachael Pearson, celebrating her 20th NRLW game, was forced to leave the field 10 minutes early due to a head injury assessment (HIA).
**Looking Ahead: Crucial Matches on the Horizon**
The Broncos, still searching for their first win of the season, face a tough challenge against the Gold Coast Titans, who are currently leading the competition. While it’s not yet time to panic, a third consecutive loss could jeopardize the Broncos’ finals aspirations in a shortened nine-week season.
The Tigers, coming off a loss, will face the formidable Sydney Roosters. Other matches include the Sharks versus the Raiders, the Eels against the Cowboys, and the Knights taking on the Dragons at McDonald Jones Stadium. Each game promises to be pivotal as teams jostle for early-season momentum and position.
