BY VIV

And just like that the Raiders find themselves with two wins, one loss and only need to improve their for and against by 31 points to get into the top four. They travel to WIN stadium on Saturday to take on the St George-Illawarra Dragons. For reasons unknown to me, this game will be kicking off at 11:05am so set your alarms.

The Dragons have had a more challenging 2023 losing 16 of their players to other clubs in the offseason (including Monalisa Soliola) and find themselves with only one win this year against the Eels and losses against the Roosters and Knights. They have a quality halves pairing with Raecene Macgregor and Tyla Nathan-Wong and we will need to keep pressure up 

On paper the Raiders should be able to get it done this Saturday but this is their first away game since their round one loss to the Sharks and will be without all the support and atmosphere found at GIO Stadium. In both games against the Tigers and Roosters the girls had hold on after their opposition attempted a late game comeback. It will be crucial that we do make ourselves chase points like in our last away game against the Sharks.

Team list thoughts

One change this week as Mackenzie Wiki looks set to miss a couple of weeks with a foot injury. Replacing her in the lineup is Alanna Dummett who got signed last week as an injury replacement for Felice Quinlan. Alanna has played under 19s origin for New South Wales, played for premiership winning Mounties in Harvey Norman cup this year (that final finished with a scoreline of 1-0 with Mounties kicking a field goal in the 67th minute of a 70 minute game) and captained the Raiders’ Tarsha Gale Cup side in 2022. Harvey Norman and Tarsha Gale highlights are not so easily found up here in Queensland but on paper she sounds ready to go.

Match-ups

Ash Quinlan and Zahara Temara vs Raecene Macregor

Ash had her best game in green last week and will need to keep up her form against 2022 Dally M winner Raecene Macgregor who captains the dragons this weekend. This will be their first clash since the 2022 NRLW semi-final where Macgregor played for the Roosters and Ash played for the Eels. In that game Quinlan scored one try, 58 run metres, 2 kicks in play, in comparison, Macgregor had 92 run metres, 7 kicks in play. While Temara isn’t Macgregor’s opposite number this weekend, they will both have the responsibility of using their kicks to create opportunities for their respective teams.

Grace Kemp vs Sarah Riordan

Rugby Rumble part 34893146219. Both of these players were part of the Brumbies line up in 2023 so will be familiar with each other’s playing style and approach to the game as new converts. Sarah Riordan has played centre in all her rugby union from club rugby (Up the doggies!!!!!) to international rugby but since coming to the dragons is now playing bench prop.

Predictions

Unlike my brothers in the Rumble, the sun is shining and we are still having a lovely time here in the Wrumble. If our defence can continue to improve and we can continue to build on our attacking structures we should get this done. Raiders by 12!

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