NRLW late mail: Round 1 v Titans
St George Illawarra NRL Telstra Women's Premiership coach Jamie Soward has finalised his 17 ahead of the Dragons' Round 1 clash against the Gold Coast Titans at WIN Stadium, Wollongong on Sunday, August 21 (12pm).
Elsie Albert (lower leg) has been ruled out. Captain Kezie Apps shifts to the front row, Talei Holmes starts and Renee Targett is the new face on the bench. Zali Hopkins is 18th woman.
13 players who represented the Dragons in the 2021 NRLW grand final loss to the Sydney Roosters have been named in Soward's Round 1 team.
Recently signed trio Andie Robinson, Monalisa Soliola and Tara McGrath-West will make their NRLW debuts, while front-rower Tegan Dymock will start for the first time.
Shontelle Stowers, Aliti Namoce and Cassie Staples are the players to make way from Tuesday's initial 22-woman squad.
St George Illawarra will open their 2022 NRLW campaign as part of the Dragons' annual i98FM Illawarra Convoy Round.
Sunday's double-header will assist in raising much-needed funds for families in need, with the Dragons, NRL and Venues NSW agreeing to donate $1 each for every person in attendance to the i98FM Illawarra Convoy fundraising efforts.
NRL Women's Premiership squad for Round 1 v Gold Coast Titans –
1. Emma Tonegato – proudly sponsored by Professionals Padstow
2. Teagan Berry – proudly sponsored by Manna From Heaven
3. Keele Browne – proudly sponsored by TripADeal
4. Page McGregor – proudly sponsored by Makibe Australia
5. Andie Robinson – proudly sponsored by Classic Sportswear
6. Taliah Fuimaono – proudly sponsored by City Project Group
7. Rachael Pearson – proudly sponsored by CBC Group
10. Tegan Dymock – proudly sponsored by Deicorp
9. Keeley Davis – proudly sponsored by EFEX
11. Kezie Apps (c)– proudly sponsored by Swysh
12. Shaylee Bent – proudly sponsored by The Lovechain
15. Talei Holmes – proudly sponsored by Arc Energy
13. Holli Wheeler – proudly sponsored by ELMO Software
Interchange:
14. Quincy Dodd – proudly sponsored by University of Wollongong
16. Monalisa Soliola – proudly sponsored by St.George Bank
17. Tara McGrath-West – proudly sponsored by HWL Ebsworth Lawyers
18. Renee Targett – proudly sponsored by Gearbox
18th woman: 19. Zali Hopkins
