On the weekend I went to Netstrata Jubilee Oval to watch the Parramatta Eels women get their first win over the season, defeating the North Queensland Cowboys 16-12.
The crowd may have been small, but plenty of us erupted when the siren went and the Eels women celebrated on the field.
To get into that game it cost me $30 for two tickets, plus a $7.50 Ticketek booking fee.
There’s no doubt that that price is affordable, but what about fans who want to get out to as much NRLW as possible?
The Eels are one of the clubs that offer fans the opportunity to buy a separate NRLW membership. But at this stage, just like most of the clubs, this membership almost acts as a donation to the women’s team. I am happy to make that donation.
The membership does get me into Eels home games, but they have only had two this season.
Given the NRL focus on having double headers across the state, would it be possible for the NRL to create an NRLW pass, where purchasers of that pass could attend as many NRLW games as they wanted? I understand there are some matches where the women’s games are played as double-headers with the men’s games, so potentially to make it simple, exclude those games from the pass.
We should be doing whatever we can to encourage attendance at these NRLW games, particularly if the crowd at Kogarah last weekend is anything to go by.
But now, onto your Round 7 NRLW preview.
This is one of the matches of the round and will have significant implications for the top four. The Raiders were humbled last week by the Broncos, 40-8 and how they bounce back this week should tell us plenty about the resilience of the team.
The Knights will be looking for their fourth win in a row; incredibly in their last three games the Knights have scored 22 points, so scoring that many against the Raiders should be enough to get them across the line. Knights by 6
The Brisbane Broncos still sit outside the top four but continue to improve each week. A good strategy also seems to be to get the ball to Mele Hufunga.
A win here would be important for the Broncos who could jump four points clear of the Sharks. Incredibly Ali Brigginshaw has been named to play, despite suffering a broken nose last week.
For the Sharks, they have lost one of their best players in Annessa Biddle, who has been suspended, with Cassie Staples coming into the squad. There’s also a great halves battle to look forward to, with both spines having a newer player in the number six jersey; Gayle Broughton for the Broncos and Emma Tonegato for the Sharks. Broncos by 4
Given just how congested the NRLW ladder is right now, I’m confident that the loser of this game will not qualify for finals football.
Both teams had disappointing losses last weekend, but the Cowboys in particular will look to aim up in front of their home crowd (the Cowboys have not won a game at home this year and in fact have had 40 points put on them on both occasions).
The Dragons were very unlucky not to get the win against the Titans last week, but I think they will bounce back this week; Teagan Berry is in exceptional form and almost did enough on her own to win the game last week. The Dragons have lost their last three games, but only by four or less. This is the week that they return to the winners circle. Dragons by 6
The Titans have been the masters of winning close games this year and will no doubt be very happy to have Lauren Brown in their team.
After a strong start to the season, the Tigers have struggled in recent weeks and will be missing Sarah Togatuki for this game and potentially Kezie Apps and Rikeya Horne who are being monitored due to failed head injury assessments last week.
I’m looking forward to the fullback battle between Evania Pelite and Botille Vette-Welsh and Karina Brown will have her hands full marking up against Tigers speedster Jakiya Whitfeld. My view is that the Titans do have an advantage in the forward pack, particularly when Stephanie Hancock comes off the bench. Titans by 8
The Eels will be high on confidence after their first win of the season last weekend, but face a huge challenge against the Sydney Roosters.
The Roosters steamrolled the Tigers last weekend 48-10 and have been strong defensively this season too, not conceding more than two tries in any game so far. In 2022, the Eels did spring an upset and beat the Roosters 24-10 to qualify for the Grand Final.
Could we see another miracle? I’m not sure, but I think this game will be closer than fans expect. Roosters by 10
catcat
Roar Rookie
I got my Knights NRLW membership- 5 games - seat in the corner for each game - $119. 4 of those games are double headers with the men. The last couple of games (sold out!) were before the men with the announcers calling it at about 8,000 people. Looking forward to the game this Saturday 2 women’s games back to back.
Hondo
Roar Rookie
It's funny how the Eels NRLW team has mirrored the Eels NRL team. Both made the grand final last year from fourth before being outclassed in the Grand Final. Both lost several quality players in the off season who weren't really replaced this year. Both lost their first five games of the new season before they won a game. Both failed to make the finals this year after making the grand final last year. While i admire your optimism they should struggle against the Roosters, who are the form team of the competition while the Eels are at the other end of the scale. It would be a much bigger upset this year than last year when the Eels beat them. I will be cheering the Eels on but feel they will probably be outclassed by the Roosters just like their NRL team was recently.
Terry Polious
Roar Rookie
Glad to see the Eels finally get a win Mary, it's been a tough season after last year.
Jane
Roar Rookie
Hopefully the cowboys can fix it this weekend, they were very poor last game. Especially in the second half.
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Definitely still a chance, Mick but a big couple of weeks ahead!! I hope if they make the finals that I'll see you - will look out for the family with the face paint!!
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
Both, please don't start me on my big bug bear of paying a $7.50 ticketing fee when I am either printing the ticket at home or keeping it on my phone!!
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
I thought the same thing, Tim. I buy a ticket for 15 bucks using my phone or computer, my time, my electricity, etc but have to shell out $7.50 for a computer programme to issue me a seat. I've never had to use this sort of system and won't be doing so any time soon, not at those prices.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
The NRL could simply refuse to do business with a company that charges a $7.50 ticketing fee. Everyone is online these days; surely you could have a ticket in your email.
MickDonovan
Roar Rookie
Mary, so you give my Tigers a chance of making the Finals? My daughter likes painting her face like a tiger so we are all supporting them now. Except my son as he is with the Bulldogs now and is scared of getting in trouble ????????
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
I wasn't aware of these timing issues which are simply nonsensical. The only thing I can guess is those in charge are trying to gauge when's the best time to play these matches, but even then, it seems like a silly way to find that out. The idea of afternoon or evening games is not to give people time to get there as many think, but to allow people to complete all the tasks they need to do that day, so they can relax later. Any match that starts before 1pm makes no sense at all, not only because of kids sports, but also because there are still people who shop on Saturday mornings, work a half day, etc. Imagine the uproar if an NRL game was scheduled for 10am on a Sunday? As for games in the regions, is the NRLW trying to run before it can walk? How long did it take for the NRL to have mens teams outside Sydney? Or even play games away from traditional home grounds? Surely it's better to build up strong fan bases in those areas which have Clubs in the NRLW, by playing 90% of games at respective home grounds. By all means, take a game or two to the regions but that's all.
Dutski
Roar Guru
NRLW games will be much more interesting than the bulk of NRL games this week. I'm eating my words about the Broncos being Brigginshaw or nothing. Broughton is class and the outside backs are looking ominous, especially Hufunga as you say. I wouldn't want to tackle her. Not sold on the Titans and would be tipping Wests but no Tonegato and potentially no Apps??? Gold Coast to get that one. Roosters to stay on top and Knights to do just enough over the Raiders. And how many tries will Berry score against a NQ that lets in so many???
Mary Konstantopoulos
Expert
BIgGordon, I also wonder about the timing of the games. The game I want to started at 11.05 on Saturday - prime time for kids sport. It also cuts your day basically in half and means you can't do anything in the morning or the afternoon. It's also competing with the men's competition at the moment, so for example, if your men's team was playing in the afternoon you couldn't get to both. A triple header was also held at Belmore - interesting given that the Bulldogs don't have a team... I understand getting to new areas, but the Eels NRLW team only have 2 home games this entire season, it seems in favour of more games in the regions.
BigGordon
Roar Rookie
I wonder about the pricing for NRLW games, if crowd numbers are low. It's not as though the standard is poor, so clearly there has to be a reason why more aren't turning up to watch. Given supply is easily outstripping demand, the NRL has to be asked why a) it's not looking to make tickets cheaper (and/or subsidise tickets), given the current economic stress many are feeling or b) if it's happy with ticket prices, what exactly does it intend to do to increase attendance at matches? Perhaps they need to look at some of the gimmicks American baseball uses to get people into games. They might be a tad outlandish, but they work.