This Sunday, the Raiders will take on the Broncos to keep our season alive. Last year, the Raiders lost this matchup 44-28 and have never beaten the Broncos in their NRLW history.
The Broncos will be missing Ali Brigginshaw, currently serving a suspension for this horrendous tackle on Tayla Preston. In her place is Georgia Bartlett, who is in her NRLW debut season and second season of rugby league, although she has played representative touch football. She has played in the centres for the Broncos this year and previously as an outside back for the Sunshine Coast Falcons. The Broncos have halfbacks in their extended squad with NRLW experience (Tavarna Papalii) but have decided to try an outside back in the halves.
Maybe this can be a weakness the Raiders can exploit? It’s more likely that Jesse Southwell watched the Kayo Mini of the game against the Cowboys last week and plans to execute 8 tries in the same way Margot Vella got her double last weekend. The Raiders edge defence has to be better this weekend. Julia Robinson and Tamika Upton will tear them apart if given the opportunity.
The Broncos have Deleni Paitai in her 3rd NRLW game in the centres this week. Isabella Waterman and Leianne Tufuga will need to lead defensively so Paitai doesn’t get the confidence to run.
The Raiders welcome back Jordyn Preston from suspension, so Hollie-Mae Dodd moves to the bench, and Sereana Naitokatoka drops out of the side. In 2026 so far, Preston has scored 2 tries and averages over 100 running metres per game; the Raiders missed her spark in attack last week and will be looking for a big game from Jordy.
When the Raiders have done well, it’s because their attack has been confident and energetic. Games have slipped away when we lose that energy and start pushing borderline passes instead of being direct. Zahara Temara and Krystal Blackwell need to ensure our attack is confident and coordinated, and trust the points will come. Our forwards need to focus on quicker play-the-balls to keep things moving rather than questionable offloads.
Over in western Sydney, Mounties take on Penrith in the Harvey Norman Cup. Darrin Borthwick has suggested changes might come if performance doesn’t improve this week. Madi Bartlett will be itching for an opportunity to return to NRLW. Evie McGrath scored a double for Mounties in their last game. Our starting backline would do well to remember that.
The Broncos will be expecting a training run this week, but the Raiders are capable of great things; they just need to remember that they can execute for 70 minutes.
Raiders by a Charlotte Basham field goal!
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