The Sydney Roosters NRLW side will create history on Friday night as they officially open Allianz Stadium in what will be a mouth-watering Grand Final rematch against St George Illawarra.
Last Time Out: Sydney Roosters vs St George Illawarra Dragons
In one of the most memorable victories in the Club's history, the red-hot Roosters rampaged to a 16-4 Grand Final victory against the Dragons in Redcliffe to claim their inaugural title.
NRLW 2021 Grand Final Highlights: Roosters vs Dragons
After conceding early, the Tricolours rose to the occasion with some monumental defensive efforts and scintillating moments, levelling the scores just after halftime before Isabelle Kelly broke through to bring her side the lead.
With just minutes remaining the result was sealed after a barnstorming run from Sarah Togatuki - who claimed the Karyn Murphy Medal as player of the match - as Corban Baxter lifted the trophy for the first time in the Club's history.
Since then, both sides have enjoyed a strong start to season 2022 with two victories apiece - so you can expect this one to be an action-packed thriller to kick off the night.
How They Line Up
No changes have been made to the side following the 28-8 defeat of the Broncos last Saturday as the Roosters look to claim their third win of the season.
Sam Bremner reprises her role at fullback to take on her former side, with Leianne Tufuga, Jessica Sergis, Captain Isabelle Kelly and Jayme Fressard joining her in the backline.
Match: Roosters v Dragons
Round 3 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
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Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Samantha BremnerFullback for Dragons is number 1 Emma Tonegato
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Winger for Roosters is number 2 Leianne TufugaWinger for Dragons is number 2 Teagan Berry
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Centre for Roosters is number 3 Jessica SergisCentre for Dragons is number 3 Keele Browne
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle KellyCentre for Dragons is number 4 Page McGregor
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Winger for Roosters is number 5 Jayme FressardWinger for Dragons is number 22 Cassie Staples
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Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Zahara TemaraFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Taliah Fuimaono
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Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Raecene McGregorHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Rachael Pearson
Forwards
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Prop for Roosters is number 8 Sarah TogatukiProp for Dragons is number 8 Elsie Albert
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Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Destiny BrillHooker for Dragons is number 9 Keeley Davis
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Mya Hill-MoanaProp for Dragons is number 16 Monalisa Soliola
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Shaniah Power2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Kezie Apps
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Olivia Kernick2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Shaylee Bent
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Lock for Roosters is number 13 Keilee JosephLock for Dragons is number 13 Holli Wheeler
Interchange
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Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Jocelyn KelleherInterchange for Dragons is number 10 Tegan Dymock
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Shawden BurtonInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Quincy Dodd
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Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Pani HopoateInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Tara McGrath-West
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Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Otesa PuleInterchange for Dragons is number 23 Chantel Tugaga
Reserves
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Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Joeli MorrisReplacement for Dragons is number 18 Renee Targett
Match Officials
- Referee: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Zahara Temara and Raecene McGregor continue to forge their partnership in the halves after a strong showing last week, while Sarah Togatuki, Destiny Brill and Mya Hill-Moana line up in the front row.
Shaniah Power and Olivia Kernick return to line up in the back row as Keilee Joseph rounds off the starting side at lock.
On the interchange bench Jocelyn Kelleher, Shawden Burton, Pani Hopoate and Otesa Pule have been named with Joeli Morris as 18th player, while the extended bench features Samantha Economos, Chante Temara, Jada Taylor and Jasmin Strange.
The Dragons are the only team in the competition to retain their spine with minimal personnel changes from last season, and with Dally M Medalist Emma Tonegato, NSW Captain Kezie Apps as well as Keeley Davis, Holli Wheeler and Elsie Albert lining up, the Tricolours will have to be at their best to claim the two points.
Round 2 NRLW Highlights: Roosters vs Broncos
Key Match Up: Sam Bremner vs Emma Tonegato
Sam Bremner comes up against her former team for the first time since returning to the NRLW, and in doing so lines up against the reigning Dally M Medallist.
After two years out of the top grade and two pregnancies, Bremner has erased any doubt of rebounding to her best, laying on three tries, scoring her first in Red, White and Blue with sixteen tackle breaks and two linebreaks to her name.
Her successor at St George Illawarra, Emma Tonegato, took the NRLW by storm last season as joint player of the year and has continued her form in 2022 with a try, three assists, thirteen tackle breaks and a linebreak.
Both teams come into the contest undefeated this season, and you can look no further than the two custodians to dictate the outcome of this historic fixture.
What They Said:
“They’re definitely going to come out hungry. There’s a rivalry there and a lot of aggression within the fact we beat them in the Grand Final.” - Isabelle Kelly
“From the very first whistle, we need to come out firing. We need to stay strong the whole game, keep the energy levels up and communication will be key.” - Jocelyn Kelleher
Final Verdict
Both teams are undefeated and both will be looking to one-up one another after their classic decider last April - so it's more than just the two competition points on the line here.
No matter where you are, be sure to tune into the match at 5:40pm and cheer on the Tricolours as they aim for three consecutive victories for the first time at NRLW level before the Roosters kick off against arch-rivals South Sydney in the NRL match.
