St George Illawarra and the Sydney Roosters square off in the final round of the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership with both foundation clubs having plenty to play for ahead of the finals.
The Dragons have all but locked in a top four finish but could wrap up the minor premiership with another win after thrashing the Knights 40-4 last week.
St George Illawarra lead Brisbane by a +14 points differential on for and against but face a Roosters outfit who all but need to win to keep their finals hopes alive.
After two losses to start their campaign, John Strange's side has bounced back with two wins. They currently sit outside the top four by the smallest of margins.
If they were to lose, they will be relying on the results of the other two matches to go their way.
Traditionally both sides have enjoyed healthy battles against each other in recent years with the Roosters leading the head-to-head clash 2-1.
It will be the second time the Dragons and Roosters faced each other in a standalone fixture after meeting at Leichhardt Oval in 2019.
Match: Dragons v Roosters
Round 5 -
home Team
Dragons
2nd Position
away Team
Roosters
4th Position
Venue: Netstrata Jubilee Stadium, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Dragons: The Dragons will line up as named with no late changes.
Rachael Pearson (back) drops out of the squad with Quincy Dodd set to come in at halfback. Kody House will also start in place of Talei Holmes as per last week's late change, with Janelle Williams, Renee Targett and Aliti Namoce named to join her on the bench.
Roosters: No late changes for the Roosters. Star centre Jess Sergis (ankle) and Indigenous All Stars representative Keilee Joseph (COVID-19) have been named to return for the must-win clash at Kogarah. Brydie Parker returns to the wing with Yasmin Meakes shifting back to the forwards.
Match: Dragons v Roosters
Round 5 -
home Team
Dragons
away Team
Roosters
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Emma TonegatoFullback for Roosters is number 1 Corban Baxter
-
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Teagan BerryWinger for Roosters is number 2 Leianne Tufuga
-
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Jaime ChapmanCentre for Roosters is number 3 Jessica Sergis
-
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Page McGregorCentre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle Kelly
-
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Madison BartlettWinger for Roosters is number 5 Brydie Parker
-
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Taliah FuimaonoFive-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Zahara Temara
-
Halfback for Dragons is number 14 Quincy DoddHalfback for Roosters is number 7 Raecene McGregor
Forwards
-
Prop for Dragons is number 8 Elsie AlbertProp for Roosters is number 8 Sarah Togatuki
-
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Keeley DavisHooker for Roosters is number 9 Olivia Higgins
-
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Kezie AppsProp for Roosters is number 10 Mya Hill-Moana
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Shaylee Bent2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Yasmin Clydsdale
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 15 Kody HOUSE2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Olivia Kernick
-
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Holli WheelerLock for Roosters is number 13 Hannah Southwell
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 11 Talei HolmesInterchange for Roosters is number 14 Jocelyn Kelleher
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Janelle WilliamsInterchange for Roosters is number 15 Keilee Joseph
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Renee TargettInterchange for Roosters is number 16 Tayla Predebon
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 21 Aliti NamoceInterchange for Roosters is number 17 Simone Karpani
Reserves
-
Replacement for Dragons is number 19 Keele BrowneReplacement for Roosters is number 19 Pani Hopoate
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Chris Butler
Last updated:
Key match-up
Page McGregor v Jessica Sergis: Forget the sibling battle between the McGregor sisters, the Dragons will have one eye on former star Jess Sergis after she left the club for the Roosters in 2022. McGregor has held her own outstandingly since making her return to rugby league from sevens last year and will be looking to hold her own against 2019 Dally M medal winner Sergis on home turf.
Stat attack
Both sides are excelling in the post-contact metres department with St George Illawarra (1909 metres) and the Roosters (1810 metres) ranked first and second respectively ahead of the other four NRLW clubs. Dragons prop Elsie Albert leads the competition on 235 with Isabelle Kelly not far behind on 229.
