The Roosters Crow: Semi Finals at Suncorp

Author: Sydney Roosters
Timestamp: Fri 23 Sep 2022, 10:28 AM

It's sudden death from here on out and the Sydney Roosters will be looking to extend their undefeated run against a Parramatta Eels outfit that has surprised many this season.

Last Time Out: Sydney Roosters vs Parramatta Eels

The Roosters kicked down the door on the pack of their 2021 triumph with a 38-16 thumping of the Eels in Round 1 back in late August, recording the Club's highest score in the NRLW in the process.

NRLW Round 1 Highlights: Roosters vs Eels

Veteran fullback Sam Bremner had a day to remember following a two-year hiatus from the code, topping the running metres and providing three tries for her teammates.

Roosters debutant Jayme Fressard bagged a double while newly minted Captain Isabelle Kelly set up the opening try before powering over for her first career double.

The victory was made all the sweeter for duo Kalosipani Hopoate and Otesa Pule, who both made their NRLW debuts following success in the Club's pathways system.

How They Line Up

John Strange welcomes a host of players to his line up including Sam Bremner, Leianne Tufuga, Raecene McGregor and Mya Hill-Moana, who were all absent in the Round 5 clash.

Bremner returns to the no.1 jersey following Jada Taylor's debut performance, while Tufuga has been named on the wing in place of Shannon Rose, with Jessica Sergis, Captain Isabelle Kelly and Jayme Fressard rounding off the backline.

Semi Final - Semi Final - Sunday 25 Sep

Full Time

Roosters

Eels

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Samantha Bremner

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Gayle Broughton
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Leianne Tufuga

Winger for Eels is number 2 Zali Fay
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Jessica Sergis

Centre for Eels is number 4 Rikeya Horne
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle Kelly

Centre for Eels is number 21 Abbi Church
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Jayme Fressard

Winger for Eels is number 5 Cassey Tohi-Hiku
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Zahara Temara

Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Ashleigh Quinlan
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Raecene McGregor

Halfback for Eels is number 7 Tayla Preston

Forwards

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Sarah Togatuki

Prop for Eels is number 10 Ellie Johnston
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Destiny Brill

Hooker for Eels is number 15 Brooke Anderson
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Mya Hill-Moana

Prop for Eels is number 14 Kennedy Cherrington
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Shaniah Power

2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Christian Pio
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Olivia Kernick

2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Vanessa Foliaki
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Keilee Joseph

Lock for Eels is number 13 Simaima Taufa

Interchange

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Jocelyn Kelleher

Interchange for Eels is number 8 Filomina Hanisi
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Shawden Burton

Interchange for Eels is number 9 Seli Mailangi
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Pani Hopoate

Interchange for Eels is number 16 Najvada George
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Otesa Pule

Interchange for Eels is number 22 Rima Butler

Reserves

Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Joeli Morris

Replacement for Eels is number 18 Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis

Match Officials

Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official: Chris Butler

Last updated: 8/3/2024 4:22:00 AM

Zahara Temara rekindles her partnership with McGregor in the halves, while Sarah Togatuki, two-try hero Destiny Brill and Hill-Moana make up the front row, with Shaniah Power, Olivia Kernick and Keilee Joseph rounding off the starting side.

Jocelyn Kelleher, Shawden Burton, Kalosipani Hopoate and Otesa Pule make the interchange bench, while Joeli Morris, Samantha Economos, Jasmin Strange, Chante Temara and Jada Taylor make up the extended bench.

Parramatta have named the same seventeen that defeated Brisbane last weekend, despite co-captains Tiana Penitani and Simaima Taufa picking up what looked to be significant injuries.

Key Match Up: Isabelle Kelly vs Simaima Taufa

Two courageous Captains come head to head this weekend, as Isabelle Kelly and Simaima Taufa - former Club and current representative teammates - clash.

Centres and lock forwards have very few similarities in their roles, but when it comes to Kelly and Taufa, the influence on their respective sides is just as imperative as one another.

Both sit in the top five for metres gained in the competition, averaging 170 and 165 respectively, and surprisingly Taufa has matched it with Kelly for tries scored this season with three.

Two players with plenty of presence and influence that no doubt deserve their roles as Captain will be hellbent on sending their side to the Grand Final - so keep an eye on Kelly and Taufa on Sunday afternoon.

What They Said:

“We’re hungry. We really want to get to this Grand Final and winning the Minor Premiership has helped with a bit of confidence as well. Having our full-strength team back up against them, it’s going to be a really good game.” - Isabelle Kelly

“I’ve said from day one we played Parra in Round 1 and we played pretty good footy and executed well, but watching the Eels playing every other game since I thought they were a good side and we certainly won’t be taking them lightly on Sunday." - John Strange

Fressard: "We Work Hard For Each Other"

Final Verdict

Both teams emphatically knocked the Queensland sides out of the NRLW finals, and now find themselves up against one another after facing each other in the opening round of the competition.

Easts will be in pole position to reach their third consecutive Grand Final after a season like no other, but the Eels - who coincidentally are in a very similar situation to the Roosters were last season - will be looking to spoil the party.

Roosters Members and supporters can purchase tickets to the quadruple header here, with prices starting at $20 for adults and $40 for families for all four matches.

Juniors can also redeem a free ticket per paying adult in Categories 2 and 3.

With plenty of benefits including priority to purchase tickets, merchandise discounts as well as the best seating at Allianz Stadium, be sure to Call Yourself a Rooster in 2023 with Sydney Roosters Membership!