Match Preview: NRLW Round 7 vs Dragons
Wests Tigers play at Allianz Stadium this weekend as part of the inaugural Gadhu Gathering, taking on the St. George Illawarra Dragons in a special Round 7 encounter celebrating Indigenous culture and identity.
Match: Wests Tigers v Dragons
Round 7 -
home Team
Wests Tigers
11th Position
away Team
Dragons
10th Position
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Still searching for their maiden win of the season, the Tigers will take plenty of confidence from their first-half performance against the Newcastle Knights last week and are boosted by two fresh faces set to make their NRLW debuts.
Head Coach Brett Kimmorley has made a number of changes ahead of Sunday’s clash:
- Portia Bourke will make her club debut in the centres, while Iemaima Etuale has been named on the bench for her NRLW debut after progressing through the club’s Pathways system.
- Caitlin Turnbull shifts to fullback, pushing Jetaya Faifua into the halves alongside Faythe Manera.
- Lily Rogan moves from the centres to the wing, and Evie McGrath is listed as the 18th player.
- Pihuka Berryman-Duff starts at hooker with Salma Nour reverting to the reserves.
- 18-year-old forward Lucyannah Luamanu-Leiataua earns her first NRLW start at lock.
After fielding a depleted side last week, the Dragons welcome back several key players:
- Teagan Berry (fullback), Raecene McGregor (halfback), and Indie Bostock (centre) all return, providing a major boost to Nathan Cross’ team.
- Tyra Ekepati moves to the wing, Shenai Lendill shifts into the back row, and Ella Koster starts at lock.
- Hannah Southwell moves into the front row, while Bronte Wilson drops to the interchange.
Sunday’s match marks an important opportunity for the Tigers to reward their hard work with two competition points.
Despite being winless, they’ve shown fight and resilience in every match, and last week’s competitive first half against Newcastle is another step in the right direction.
The home side will be hoping the fresh energy of Turnbull at fullback, Faifua in the halves, and Etuale's impact off the bench helps provide the spark they need to stay in the contest across 70 minutes.
The emotion of the Gadhu Gathering, plus the desire to secure a win on debut for Bourke and Etuale, will provide plenty of motivation.
The last match between these two sides ended in a famous win for Wests Tigers in Round 8 of last season.
Match Highlights: NRLW Round 8 vs Dragons
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Caitlin TurnbullFullback for Dragons is number 1 Teagan Berry
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Rebecca PollardWinger for Dragons is number 2 Tyra Ekepati
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Portia BourkeCentre for Dragons is number 3 Indie Bostock
-
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Emily BassCentre for Dragons is number 4 Keele Browne
-
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Lily RoganWinger for Dragons is number 5 Jayme Millard
-
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jetaya FaifuaFive-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Kasey Reh
-
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Faythe ManeraHalfback for Dragons is number 7 Raecene McGregor
Forwards
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Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Sarah TogatukiProp for Dragons is number 8 Madison Mulhall
-
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Pihuka Berryman-DuffHooker for Dragons is number 9 Zali Hopkins
-
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Amelia HuakauProp for Dragons is number 10 Hannah Southwell
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Kezie Apps2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Shenai Lendill
-
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Montana Clifford2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Charlotte Basham
-
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Lucyannah Luamanu-LeiatauaLock for Dragons is number 13 Ella Koster
Interchange
-
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Chelsea SavillInterchange for Dragons is number 14 Tori Shipton
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Tara ReinkeInterchange for Dragons is number 15 Ahlivia Ingram
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Jade FonuaInterchange for Dragons is number 16 Jamilee McGregor
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Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Iemaima EtualeInterchange for Dragons is number 17 Bronte Wilson
Reserves
-
Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Evie McGrathReplacement for Dragons is number 18 Sara Sautia
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Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 19 Salma NourReserve for Dragons is number 19 Alice Gregory
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Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Harmony CrichtonReserve for Dragons is number 20 Grace Hamilton
-
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Tiana-Lee ThorneReserve for Dragons is number 21 Pia Tapsell
-
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Aaliyah Bula
Wests Tigers Ins
- Aaliyah Bula
- Harmony Crichton
- Iemaima Etuale
- Tiana-Lee Thorne
Dragons Ins
- Alice Gregory
- Grace Hamilton
- Indie Bostock
- Pia Tapsell
- Raecene McGregor
- Sara Sautia
- Teagan Berry
Wests Tigers Outs
Dragons Ins
- Mackenzie Lear
- Maddie Studdon
- Maria Paseka
- Tahlia O'Brien
Match Officials
- Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger
Last updated:
Fast Facts:
- Four Tigers players have been selected in different playing positions this week.
- Dragons fullback Teagan Berry requires two tries to join Tamika Upton as all-time leading NRLW tryscorer.
- Fullback Caitlin Turnbull (six) and centre Emily Bass (three) have scored nine of the Tigers’ 11 tries.
- Dragons centre Indie Bostock has scored three tries in three NRLW appearances.
- Wests Tigers have kicked only three goals from 11 attempts this season.
Stats supplied by NRL historian/statistician David Middleton.
