The Raiders women head to the Gold Coast Titans this week as we enter the final quarter of the NRLW season and their first finals spot beckons. The highest the Raiders can finish is first (if we win all three games by like 40 points, Titans and Roosters lose all three games, and Tigers win one more game max). The lowest they can finish is 7th (if we lose all three games, Warriors win at least two games, one of the Knights, Bulldogs or Cowboys win all three games).
What is more likely is the Raiders finish between 3rd and 6th. A 3rd or 4th place finish means we play a home final (against 6th or 5th respectively). Our opposition is likely to be one of the Tigers, Warriors, Broncos or Knights. I am still imploring the Sportress readership to get on the bus while there are still seats.
On to the actual game this week. If the Raiders can win or give an extremely good account of themselves against the Titans, it will show that they aren’t just making the finals; they mean to be there on grand final day.
The Titans have lost one game this season – round one against the Roosters, where they got beaten 34-10. Since then, they have won 7 games in a row – including beating the Broncos last week. Teagan Levi has been immense for the Titans since moving from sevens. Jaime Chapman isn’t playing this week, but her combination with Evania Isa’ako has been giving the whole competition’s edges headaches.
Hollie-Mae Dodd returns to the starting side to replace Charlotte Basham, who failed an HIA. Dodd has been great off the bench; her combination with Grace Kemp has trampled tired opposition this season. We will see if she can maintain that effort for 70 minutes. Lili Boyle gets elevated from 18th player to the reserves this week after a strong season with Mounties.
Key Matchup
Teagan Levi and Krystal Blackwell
Teagan is new to NRLW, and Krystal Blackwell is new to the 5/8th position. Teagan brought her athleticism from 7s and has scored seven tries in her eight games of NRLW. While Krystal has played more NRLW, this is her first year in the halves. She has been building all season into last week’s standout performance against the Bulldogs and will be tested by Levi.
Raiders by a Lili Boyle intercept try!
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