BY VIV

It’s round four, only 7 more weeks after this one, and we get the sweet, sweet release of the end of the NRLW season. This week, the Raiders are off to sunny Townsville to play some football, I suppose?

The Cowboys have had two wins this season (Titans and Cronulla) but were beaten by Newcastle. They welcome back (Canberra-born) fullback Jakaiya Whitfeld from injury. Kirra Dibb lurks on the extended bench. Up front, the Cowboys have a Queensland origin hooker and prop in Emma Manzelmann and Makenzie Weale. On the bench, the Cowboys have Lily Peacock and Essay Banu completing their forward rotation. After beating the Sharks last week the Cowboys will be looking to put up a score this weekend and solidify their chances of getting a finals spot.

Looking at the Raiders, the Lord giveth (Emma Barnes is back from concussion), but may also take away (Zahara Temara has some hamstring tightness and in doubt). If Temara misses this game, we will likely have a Naitokatoka/Thomas halves combination. Both will be fine for kicks in play, but I genuinely could not say who would take our conversions should we get on the board. Temara was clearly struggling during the Eels game, given the score you wonder why she was left out there for the whole game. 

Isabella Waterman is dropped for Mackenzie Wiki to return to the side. I’m not sure what was bought on this move. Waterman has been solid this season, making tackles and being less prone to error than some of her teammates.

Jordyn Preston gets a chance to start in place of Monalisa Soliola, which is less surprising given Soliola had 3 runs for 23 metres in 70 minutes of football last weekend. In comparison, Preston played for 10 minutes and had 3 runs for 41 metres. 

The biggest return this week is Kere Matua, who had an ankle injury to start the season. Watching her go up against the likes of Banu will provide entertainment to those who like to watch big girls and big hits. Matua needs to keep herself away from the judiciary this year. The side needs their senior players to provide leadership, and you can’t provide that in the bin or in the stands. Pasikala drops from the side for Matua’s return,

The Raiders need to improve in the basics. Balls need to be caught on the full, bodies need to be placed in front of attackers rather than reaching out arms as opposition players run through our line. We need to hold onto the ball for a whole set and get to our kick. Darrin Borthwick says the intensity is there at training, let’s see it translate into a competent performance this weekend.

Predictions are paused until they become less depressing. Elise Smith to score a length-of-the-field try at some point!

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