NRLW Round 5 Match Preview: Dragons prepare for Magic Round showdown

Author: St George Illawarra Dragons
Timestamp: Thu 30 Jul 2026, 03:20 PM

The Dragons make the trip to Wagga Wagga for a highly-anticipated Magic Round face-off with the high-flying Roosters.

Round 5 - Round 5 - Saturday 1 Aug

3:25 am

Dragons

Roosters

Venue: Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga

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Team Lists Get Tickets

KEY INFO

Tickets: Available
Date: Saturday, August 1st
Venue: Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga
Watch: Nine, 9Now, Kayo & Foxtel
Sharks vs. Wests Tigers: 11:35am
Dragons vs. Roosters: 1:25pm
Raiders vs. Cowboys: 3:15pm

MAGIC ROUND GOES REGIONAL

Wagga Wagga's Geohex Park will be the place on the first weekend of August, hosting the best of the best as NRLW Magic Round heads to town.

All 12 teams boasting superstars of the game will be involved in the massive celebration of women's sport taking place across the weekend of August 1-2.

Featuring six epic NRLW clashes, the action kicks off on Saturday, with Cronulla Sharks taking on Wests Tigers and winding up on Sunday afternoon with the Eels - the team of local product Rachael Pearson - facing off against the Knights.

As well as all the on-field action, there's plenty of family fun around the grounds as well, including a live performance from 2026 Australian Idol winner Kesha Nevé, a kids activity zone, free giveaways and the Bluey & Bingo Interactive Live Show.

KITAI SET FOR DRAGONS DEBUT

Lavinia Kitai has been named to make her club debut off the interchange on Saturday having impressed in the NSW Women's Premiership to start the year.

Kitai joined the Dragons this season on a three-year deal having pieced together a strong campaign last year in New Zealand.

Kitai made her NRLW debut in Round 1 last year and went on to appear in all 11 of the side’s outings averaging 72 run metres and tallying 216 total tackles at near 93 per cent efficiency.

She made her international debut for the Cook Islands against the Jillaroos at the World Cup in 2022 and has since gone on to represent her nation on seven occasions.

TEAM NEWS

DRAGONS

Madison Mulhall (knee) is unavailable for the Red V seeing Amelia Huakau come into the run-on side and Lavinia Kitai earn a club debut on the interchange.
Maria Paseka (hamstring) returns on the wing pushing Tyra Ekepati into the centres and Tahlia O’Brien back to the interchange.
Zali Hopkins (head knock) also returns in the No.14 jersey with Tori Shipton reverting back to the reserves.

ROOSTERS

Taina Naividi (ACL) has been named to return from an ACL injury on the wing push Mia Wood to the reserves.
Tarryn Aiken has been named in the reserves as she aims to return from a shoulder injury.

Round 5 - Round 5 - Saturday 1 Aug

3:25 am

Dragons

Roosters

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Teagan Berry

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Brydie Parker
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Maria Paseka

Winger for Roosters is number 2 Taina Naividi
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Shenae Ciesiolka

Centre for Roosters is number 3 Jessica Sergis
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Tyra Ekepati

Centre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle Kelly
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Jayme Millard

Winger for Roosters is number 5 Jayme Fressard
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Taliah Fuimaono

Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Jocelyn Kelleher
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Kasey Reh

Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Corban Baxter

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Amelia Huakau

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Millie Elliott
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Brooke Anderson

Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Keeley Nizza
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis

Prop for Roosters is number 10 Otesa Pule
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Montana Clifford

2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Sariah Paki
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Ella Koster

2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Jasmin Strange
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Hannah Southwell

Lock for Roosters is number 13 Olivia Kernick

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Zali Hopkins

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Shawden Burton
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Lavinia Kitai

Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Aliyah Nasio
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Ahlivia Ingram

Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Rima Butler
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Tahlia O'Brien

Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Amber Hall

Reserves

Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Nita Maynard-Perrin

Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Mia Wood
Reserve for Dragons is number 19 Charis Toli

Reserve for Roosters is number 19 Tarryn Aiken
Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Tori Shipton

Reserve for Roosters is number 20 Nikiah Campbell
Reserve for Dragons is number 21 Trinity Tauaneai

Reserve for Roosters is number 21 Talea Tonga
Reserve for Dragons is number 22 Arabella McKenzie

Reserve for Roosters is number 22 Tatum Bird