NRLW Match Preview: Round 8 v Broncos

Author: Sharks Media
Timestamp: Fri 13 Sep 2024, 11:59 AM

With their minor premiership hopes on the line, the NRLW Sharks can prove their mettle by bouncing back against the Broncos at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday.

Having won six straight games to start the season, Cronulla were beaten 40-0 by the Roosters last weekend in a performance belying their red-hot form.

However, Tony Herman's troops can reaffirm themselves as title heavyweights against a Brisbane side who have won five on the trot and came from behind to defeat the Knights last round.

The Sharks are still two points clear on top of the ladder but will cede first place to the Broncos or Roosters, who boast superior differentials, if they lose this week. The result may well decide the minor premiership race with only one further game.

Just as importantly, Cronulla will be in the box seat to secure a top-two finish and a home final if they can halt Brisbane's winning run.

In team news, prop Filomina Hanisi will make her Sharks debut against her former team off the bench to replace Olympian Sharni Smale, who will increase her minutes with a stint in the Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership.

After a week off, Nakia Davis-Welsh will reclaim her place on the wing at the expense of Dominique du Toit. Half Georgia Hannaway is the 18th player while young forward Manilita Takapautolo has been retained in the 19-woman squad.

Cronulla enjoyed success on the Gold Coast a fortnight ago, absorbing pressure en route to defeating the Titans 22-6 in sweltering conditions.

Broncos coach Scott Prince has named an unchanged team, spearheaded by veteran playmaker Ali Brigginshaw and goal-kicking back-rower Romy Teitzel, who leads the competition with 58 points including four tries.

The clubs played out a high-scoring thriller last year, Brisbane prevailing 32-28 at Queensland Country Bank Stadium as the Sharks' comeback fell short.

But having improved markedly in 2024, Cronulla will aim to flip that result and show their loss to the Roosters was merely a minor setback in their title charge.

Kick-off is at 12pm. Catch the action on Nine, Nine Now, Kayo or Foxtel.

Round 8 - Round 8 - Saturday 14 Sep

Full Time

Broncos

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Hayley Maddick

Fullback for Sharks is number 6 Emma Tonegato
Winger for Broncos is number 2 Julia Robinson

Winger for Sharks is number 1 Cassie Staples
Centre for Broncos is number 3 Mele Hufanga

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Tiana Penitani
Centre for Broncos is number 4 Shenae Ciesiolka

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Annessa Biddle
Winger for Broncos is number 5 Stacey Waaka

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Georgia Ravics
Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Gayle Broughton

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 22 Georgia Hannaway
Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Ali Brigginshaw

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Tayla Preston

Forwards

Prop for Broncos is number 8 Brianna Clark

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Ellie Johnston
Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jada Ferguson

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Quincy Dodd
Prop for Broncos is number 10 Chelsea Lenarduzzi

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Holli Wheeler
2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Mariah Denman

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Talei Holmes
2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Romy Teitzel

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Rhiannon Byers
Lock for Broncos is number 13 Keilee Joseph

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Brooke Anderson

Interchange

Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Destiny Brill

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Chloe Saunders
Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Tafito Lafaele

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Vanessa Foliaki
Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Lavinia Gould

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Tegan Dymock
Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Annetta-Claudia Nu'uausala

Interchange for Sharks is number 20 Filomina Hanisi