By Brontee Fulton - Real Talk journalist
16/02/2022
After the NRL’s devastating decision to postpone the 2021 season, the new look NRLW competition will kick off this month in what is promising to be the most competitive season yet. The Newcastle Knights, Parramatta Eels and Gold Coast Titans extend the women’s fixture into six clubs, joining foundation clubs the Sydney Roosters, Brisbane Broncos and St George Illawarra Dragons. The New Zealand Warriors withdrew from the competition due to border and travel restrictions, but intend to rejoin later this year.
Teams will compete across five regular rounds, with the top four teams progressing to the semi-finals on April 3. The NRLW grand final will be played on April 10 and Real Talk Media understands that match will be played at Sunshine Coast Stadium.
The big question - what team, if any, can end the Brisbane Broncos three-year dominance?
Round one kicks off Saturday, February 27th, with a blockbuster triple-header at McDonald Jones Stadium in Newcastle headlined by a grand final rematch between the Brisbane Broncos and Sydney Roosters. The last time these two teams played was in October 2020 and the Brisbane heavyweights gave Sydney a 20-10 touchup. Both teams have a lot of new faces, there's been a lot of hype around Emily Bass and Hayley Maddick, while Roosters have two of the best centres in the game in Isabelle Kelly and Jess Sergis.
Dragons and the Titans newcomers kick off the action at 11am and both feature very different player lineups, it’s hard to predict a winner! But it must be noted, stalwart of the women’s game Steph Hancock will play for the Titans having played for the Dragons and Broncos previously. The 39 year old hasn’t looked a touch out of place in preseason.
Newcastle have recruited heavily with New Zealand Kiwi Ferns talent and expect their engine room to be up there with the best. Parramatta have picked up a lot of the Dragons and Roosters players including skipper Simaima Taufa who has just been named Captain of the inaugural Eels team - a natural leader.
It’s not too late to enjoy the NRLW action, tickets still selling -
If you can’t make the opening round, in an exciting step forward, Channel 9 and FOX League have made a greater commitment to growth of the women’s game with expanded broadcast, digital offerings and reporting, promising to bring more coverage to the game than ever before.
There will be no shortage of NRLW action on our screens and socials in 2022, with two Premierships, a State of Origin and a World Cup - bring on the big hits, up and coming rookies and all round quality footy - catch all the updates here at Real Talk Media!
NRLW ROUND ONE
WHERE: McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle
WHEN: February 27
KICK OFF: First game 11am
WHERE TO WATCH: Channel 9, FOX League, Kayo
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