If we have learnt anything from the opening two NRLW rounds it is that the competition is wide open.
Premiership favourites the Sydney Roosters and the Newcastle Knights had shock losses in Round 2 and each of the newly introduced teams has had a win in the opening rounds.
As the competition moves into Round 3 all eyes are on the Brisbane Broncos and Parramatta Eels with both teams still chasing their first win of the season.
Unfortunately there are no double headers this weekend, but Canberra Raiders, North Queensland Cowboys, Roosters and Eels fans can look forward to double headers featuring their men’s and women’s teams.
Round 3 preview
Sydney Roosters vs St George Illawarra Dragons, Thursday 5.40pm at the SCG
The Roosters were stunned last weekend in a shock 24-14 loss to the Raiders. It was a disappointing performance from the Roosters who completed at just 66 per cent, made 10 errors and missed 32 tackles.
No doubt they will want to bounce back this week, but they play a St George Illawarra team brimming with confidence following a 38-12 win over the Eels.
Both teams present plenty of attacking threat. The Roosters have superstars all over the field including Olivia Kernick, Jess Sergis, Corban Baxter, Millie Boyle and Isabelle Kelly. For the Dragons, they have plenty of pace in their backline and with the pinpoint kicking game of Raecene McGregor are able to score plenty of points on the edge through Margot Vella and Cortez Te Pou.
In the end, I think McGregor’s kicking game will be the difference in this game.
It’s also worth keeping an eye out for Australian Wallaroo Grace Hamilton who has returned to the Roosters as an injury replacement for Amber Hall.
Prediction: Dragons by 6
North Queensland Cowboys vs Brisbane Broncos, Saturday 12.30pm at QCB Stadium
There was a local derby between the Broncos and the Titans last week and we are treated to another this weekend when the Cowboys take on the Broncos.
The Broncos have had two tough games to start the year; against predicted Premiers the Roosters and a golden point loss to the Titans, but have been competitive in both.
This is the week the Broncos will get their first win.
I cannot deny the class of Kirra Dibb; in my view she is one of the best halves in the game, but as we saw in the Cowboys win last week, the team is very dependent on her guidance and skill. In the win against Newcastle, Dibb kicked a 40-30, kicked a field goal and then played an instrumental role in the Cowboys last two tries.
The Broncos have a bit more depth in their squad and are able to look to Ali Brigginshaw, Gayle Broughton and Destiny Brill to create attacking opportunities but to win this game will need to clean up their defence and discipline after missing over 40 tackles and only completing at 69 per cent against the Titans.
Prediction: Broncos by 8
Cronulla Sharks vs Gold Coast Titans, Saturday 3.10pm at PointsBet Stadium
Sharks fans will breathe a sigh of relief that Emma Tonegato returns to the team this week, but Jada Taylor is still injured meaning Andie Robinson will play fullback. The Sharks certainly missed Taylor last weekend, so will be looking for Robinson to get involved.
The Titans on the other hand, have had their best start to a season and are chasing three wins in a row for the first time.
I’ve been particularly impressed by their young halves combination in Chantay Kiria-Ratu and Sienna Lofipo who managed the game well against the Broncos last week.
Prediction: Titans by 2 points
Parramatta Eels v Newcastle Knights at 12.03pm Sunday at CommBank Stadium
The NRL website has this game kicking off at the very precise time of 12.03pm as part of the double header.
Unfortunately for the Eels their reality at the moment is that they are treading water. Elsie Albert is a chance at playing but Rachael Pearson remains unavailable. Whilst other players are stepping up and trying to fill the void, it’s been tough going for the most inexperienced team in the NRLW.
It doesn’t get any tougher than coming up against the reigning Premiers after their shock loss last weekend.
The Knights have named Hannah Southwell and lock and Georgia Roche is also set to make her NRLW debut at five eighth.
To win this game, the Eels will have to work extremely hard in the forwards. Caitlan Johnston and Yasmin Clydesdale are two of the best player in the women’s game and Newcastle will be very hard to stop if the forwards get on top early.
Prediction: Knights by 6
(Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)
Canberra Raiders v Wests Tigers at 1.45pm Sunday at GIO Stadium
This is my match of the round. The Wests Tigers have been brilliant to start the season and the Raiders showed just how much talent is in their ranks with their first win of the season last weekend.
The big challenge for the Raiders this weekend will be coming up against the best defence in the competition thus far, with the Tigers holding the Sharks to zero last weekend. The Raiders will also need to contain Jakiya Whitfeld who after her first full-NRL pre-season has been a revelation; last week she made 292 metres and scoring a try.
But the Raiders do have Zahara Temara who must play a key role if the Raiders are to win this game. Her kicking game is amongst the best in the competition and can create plenty of opportunity for Apii Nicholls and Madison Bartlett.
Prediction: Tigers by 2
wilbas
Roar Rookie
In the end the Tigers allowed the big Canberra girls to much latitude and field position and they took advantage with quick tries to lead. Tigers missed their interchange ball player who injured her knee and played little time.I think Canberra large girls were difficult to handle but a rematch may see a different result.
Working Class Rugger
Roar Guru
What's probably most impressive so far has been their defensive structure and physicality. In order to beat them you're going to have to bring your best attacking game. Tomorrow will be an interesting test for them. Canberra showed they have strike power last week to match them and I think it will come down to who stands up most in defence. That said, I do think the Tigers forwards have the advantage and outside of the halves which I think both teams are pretty even I think the Tigers have the edge in the backs.
Dutski
Roar Guru
And Broughton made me look an idiot. Great game from her carving up the titans right edge defence all afternoon
wilbas
Roar Rookie
I think the tigers have a multi dimensional attack with a brilliant pivot who plays interchange.What she did to Parramatta two games ago was striking.Cronulla were done and dusted before she was needed in that game. Tigers are the form side..
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Hi Caractacus - so glad you are enjoying the NRLW and great to see so much English talent included. My view is that the competition probably won't expand again until 2025, just to give the 4 new teams intro-ed this year some time to settle. So perhaps then!
Caractacus
Roar Rookie
Hi Mary, Sky in the UK are showing every NRLW match live which is great (we only get 3 NRL games) and I’ve become a token Raiders fan which leads to my question, are we likely to see a Rabbitohs team in the comp in the future.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Wow. Was hoping the Roosters would bounce back but that was exceptional.
Hondo
Roar Rookie
The reality is that the Eels are by far and away the worst and weakest team in the NRLW and i suspect Newcastle will win by a lot more than 6 points. The Eels have been severely weakened losing most of the players from last year's grand final team to the new teams and now have undeniably the weakest roster in the NRLW. Going on their first two games when they were easily beaten in both games it's quite possible that they won't win a game this year as it's hard to see a team currently they could actually beat. Even when they get back to full strength it hard to see them being competitive with the better teams. They only won one game last year to finish fourth. And made the grand final in a huge upset over a very disappointing Roosters team before being beaten easily by Newcastle in the grand final. With more teams now and a drastically weaker roster this year it is hard to see finishing anywhere but last.
Dutski
Roar Guru
I think she's had her moments. Trying hard and certainly a running threat but not so much on the creativity side. Early days though and I think as teams watch for her to run then that will open up more passing options for her.
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Dutski, what have you made of Gayle Broughton in the opening rounds? Also agree re the Eels, absolutely underdogs, but we saw last week what can happen!
Dutski
Roar Guru
Looking forward to the round. Roosters won’t drop that much ball again. I’ve never seen Baxter struggle with her handling so much before. The problem with the Broncos is it’s Brigginshaw or nothing creativity wise. Need to see other players step up and take the pressure off or it’s a second disappointing season in a row. Be good to see the Eels get their first win but surely they come into the game underdogs.