BY VIV

Did you wake up on Monday morning sad that the Raiders NRLM team fell short of the eight? Have a desire to visit GIO stadium one last time before the Summer? Great news, the NRWL team have their last at-home game for 2024 this Sunday against the Eels.

Parramatta names a completely unchanged side. Elsie Albert is making up for lost time after spending most of 2023 on the sidelines. She scored two tries last week and has been taking some massive hit-ups all season and has even provided a 5th tackle kicking option in round three. Their fullback Abbi Church works hard with some impressive carries. This year Cassey Tohi-Hiku has moved from centre to five-eighth to support Rachael Pearson in the halves and has proven herself handy.

The Eels started the year predicted to get the spoon after a lot of roster turnover and a new coach. However, they are now full of confidence after taking down the Gold Coast Titans 24-14. Currently, they are in fifth spot and one of three teams battling it out for the last finals spot. A story familiar to fans of the 2023 Raiders NRLW team.

Team list

This is as close to a full-strength side as we get. Simaima Taufa returns at lock, and Mackenzie Wiki is back in the centres. Hollie-Mae Dodd returns from suspension but Kere Matua faces a two-match suspension for her hip drop tackle last week. 

Chante Temara returns to hooker after a solid game at lock, Emma Barnes goes back to the bench and is joined by Jaida Faleono, Amelia Pasikala and Felice Quinlan. Relna Wuruki-Hosea is the 18th player A more balanced bench with Felice Quinlan being able to cover centre and second row. Pasikala and Faleono bring power to the forwards and Barnes brings the brains to our spine. Sereana Naitokatoka isn’t named after suffering a concussion during our loss to the Roosters.

Matchups

Elsie Albert and Grace Kemp

Both of these players got the double last week against their opponents. With almost identical tackle efficiency and only 20m separating them on average run metres  Kemp will be looking to make the starting prop spot her own.

Apii Nicholls and Abbi Church

Apii Nicholls plays her last game in Canberra before moving back to NZ to play with the Warriors. Abbi Church is a foundation Wheel and is having a breakout year. Is this the week Apii gets her first NRL try?

Prediction

We’re on a roll and overdue for a home-ground win – Raiders by 12!

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