NRL.com NRLW preview: Round 2 v Broncos
This is more than just a rematch of the 2019 grand final, the Dragons are effectively playing for their season in Saturday's match at Bankwest Stadium.
After suffering a 18-4 loss to the Roosters in their opening-round fixture St George Illawarra need a win to keep their chances alive.
Brisbane, on the other hand, look the goods once again. After a slowish start they took care of business against the Warriors to show they remain the team to beat.
The battle between rival No.7s Maddie Studdon and Ali Brigginshaw is one worth watching.
Match: Dragons v Broncos
Round 2 -
home Team
Dragons
4th Position
away Team
Broncos
1st Position
Venue: Bankwest Stadium, Sydney
The rundown
Team news
Dragons: Shakiah Tungai (shoulder) is out, with Aaliyah Fasavalu-Fa'amausili named at five-eighth and Georgia Page joining the bench. Rikeya Horne also dropped out of the squad an hour before kick-off.
Maddison Weatherall and Jade Etherden were omitted 24 hours before kick-off.
Broncos: Lock Tarryn Aiken switches roles with star halfback Ali Brigginshaw, and Tallisha Harden starts in the second row with Jesski Elliston to come off the bench. Romy Teitzel and Tyler Birch were omitted from the squad on game day.
Five-eighth Raecene McGregor was stretchered off with a neck issue against the Warriors but thankfully is OK. Chante Temara and Zara Canfield were left out the day before the match.
Match: Dragons v Broncos
Round 2 -
home Team
Dragons
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Samantha BremnerFullback for Broncos is number 1 Tamika Upton
-
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Tiana PenitaniWinger for Broncos is number 2 Lauren Brown
-
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Jessica SergisCentre for Broncos is number 3 Julia Robinson
-
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Isabelle KellyCentre for Broncos is number 4 Jayme Fressard
-
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Jaime ChapmanWinger for Broncos is number 5 Meg Ward
-
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 14 Aaliyah Fasavalu-Fa'amausiliFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Raecene McGregor
-
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Maddie StuddonHalfback for Broncos is number 13 Tarryn Aiken
Forwards
-
Prop for Dragons is number 8 Ellie JohnstonProp for Broncos is number 8 Millie Boyle
-
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Keeley DavisHooker for Broncos is number 9 Lavinia Gould
-
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Stephanie HancockProp for Broncos is number 10 Chelsea Lenarduzzi
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Kezie Apps2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Amber Hall
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Shaylee Bent2nd Row for Broncos is number 15 Tallisha Harden
-
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Elsie AlbertLock for Broncos is number 7 Ali Brigginshaw
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Christine PauliInterchange for Broncos is number 12 Jessika Elliston
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Talei HolmesInterchange for Broncos is number 14 Annette Brander
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Mahalia MurphyInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Shannon Mato
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 22 Georgia PageInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Shenae Ciesiolka
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Touch Judge: Jon Stone
- Touch Judge: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Key match-up
Steph Hancock v Millie Boyle: The former teammates will go head-to-head. Hancock made 29 tackles and ran for 73 metres in round one while Boyle ran for 89 metres and made 21 tackles. Both sets of backs will be hoping their front-rowers can set them up to turn field position into points.
Stat attack
Tamika Upton's hat-trick against the Warriors was the just the second in the history of the competition. The first woman to achieve that feat was Kimiroa Nati in the 2018 grand final.
