BY VIV

The Raiders’ NRLW side lines up for the last time in 2025 against the Gold Coast Titans miles away from Canberra at CBUS Super Stadium. Win and the Raiders could finish as high as eighth. Lose and we stay in 11th place. The Titans have more to play for; a win secures a finals spot outright. If the Eels lose tonight, the 6th spot will be the Titans’ before kickoff.

The Raiders welcome back Hollie-Mae Dodd, who starts on the bench for her first game since round six. Lili Boyle replaces Grace Kemp, who had hand surgery yesterday. While Tatiana Finau has been fine as a replacement, the Raiders will welcome Dodd’s ability to find the try line and make some big metres (Dodd was averaging 78 metres a game compared to 38 metres for Finau)

The theme of the backlines for both of these teams is the youth of today getting a chance to prove themselves on the big stage.  At fullback, Elise Simpson (18 years old, 8 NRLW games) will be lining up against grizzled veteran Leilani Montgomery (20 years old, 17 NRLW games).  On the wings, Relna Wuruki-Hosea (19 years old, 5 NRLW games) replaces  Mackenzie Wiki, who has looked worse for wear at the end of recent games. For the Titans, Phoenix-Raine Hippi (19 years old, 5 NRLW appearances) gets another opportunity with Georgia Grey out with a concussion.

The Raiders will need to watch out for Hippi. In 5 games, she has scored 5 tries. This girl is fast, and the Raiders cannot give her space. Her development has been exciting to watch, although we will be less interested in her achievements this weekend.

On the bench, Lili Boyle (20 years, 6 appearances) should have the confidence to match Takoda Thompson (19 years, 9 appearances) after her slick passing under pressure from the Tigers set Jordyn Preston up for a try.

Up front, the Titans have Sienna Lofipo returning from injury. While only 21, this is her third season in the NRLW. Starting in the halves, she has found success at the Titans and for Origin as a second-rower/lock. Our forwards showed that a size differential didn’t bother them last week when they shut down Amber Hall; hopefully, this week, we learn that a speed differential doesn’t bother them either.

Providing experience for the Titans will be the return of Brittany Breayley-Nati in the 14 jersey. Breayley-Nati has missed most of 2025 due to a collarbone injury. She will be looking to get some game time before finals. There won’t be too many cobwebs to shake out, but Emma Barnes and Chante Temara will want to apply pressure and take advantage of any rusty areas. 

The battle to watch will be between the two experienced locks – Georgia Hale and Simaima Taufa. Almost inseparable on paper (Taufa has more tries, Hale makes more of her tackles), both are captains, and both won’t stop working until the final whistle. 

This week, all you can ask is for both sides to have good clean fun. Have heart, the foundation of a premiership-winning 2026 season will start today.

Raiders by 8!

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