Match Preview: NRLW Round 8 vs Cowboys

Author: Wests Tigers
Timestamp: Fri 22 Aug 2025, 02:26 PM

Wests Tigers return to Leichhardt Oval one last time in 2025, aiming to build on their breakthrough win last weekend when they take on the North Queensland Cowboys in Round 8 of the NRLW season.

Round 8 - Round 8 - Sunday 24 Aug

8:15 am

Wests Tigers

Cowboys

Venue: Leichhardt Oval, Sydney

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Team Lists Get Tickets

It was a long time coming, but the Tigers’ Round 7 victory over the Dragons offered reward for their effort and growth throughout the year and they’ll be determined to give the Leichhardt faithful another reason to cheer on Sunday evening.

Head Coach Brett Kimmorley has kept faith in the same 17-player lineup that delivered the club’s first win of the season last Sunday.

Portia Bourke and Iemaima Etuale both retain their places in the squad after impressive NRLW debuts.
Jetaya Faifua continues in the halves alongside Faythe Manera, with Caitlin Turnbull holding the fullback role.
Lucyannah Luamanu-Leiataua, aged just 18, retains her starting spot at lock after a strong showing.

Kimmorley’s squad appears to have settled at a crucial point in the season, with combinations growing and young talent stepping up to the challenge.

North Queensland have named a strong squad as they look to continue their charge toward finals football.

China Polata makes her long-awaited return from an ACL injury suffered in 2024, taking her place in the second row.
Makenzie Weale also returns after recovering from a broken finger and starts in the front row.
Tafao Asaua shifts to the reserves, while Essay Banu drops back to the bench.
Tallisha Harden is sidelined with a quad strain.

With four wins from their past six, the Cowboys enter this contest in strong form and with plenty of strike across the park.

Fresh off their first victory of the year, the Tigers enter Sunday’s home fixture with belief and momentum.

With Leichhardt Oval hosting its final match of 2025, expect a passionate home crowd, ready to get behind their team once more.

Round 8 - Round 8 - Sunday 24 Aug

8:15 am

Wests Tigers

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Caitlin Turnbull

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Jakiya Whitfeld
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Rebecca Pollard

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Krystal Blackwell
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Lily Rogan

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Abigail Roache
Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Emily Bass

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Jasmine Peters
Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Tiana-Lee Thorne

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Francesca Goldthorp
Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Jetaya Faifua

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Kirra Dibb
Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Faythe Manera

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tahlulah Tillett

Forwards

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Sarah Togatuki

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Lily Peacock
Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Pihuka Berryman-Duff

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Emma Manzelmann
Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Amelia Huakau

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Makenzie Weale
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Kezie Apps

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 China Polata
2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Portia Bourke

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell
Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Lucyannah Luamanu-Leiataua

Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Bree Chester

Interchange

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Chelsea Savill

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Alisha Foord
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 15 Tara Reinke

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Lillian Yarrow
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Jade Fonua

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Lily Dick
Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 17 Iemaima Etuale

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Essay Banu

Reserves

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 18 Evie McGrath

Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Rosie Kelly
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 19 Iunisi - Ruby Smith - Tufulele - Fifita

Reserve for Cowboys is number 19 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 20 Salma Nour

Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Ana Malupo
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Harmony Crichton

Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Tafao Asaua
Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 22 Jessikah Reeves

Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Ebony Raftstrand-Smith

Harmony Crichton
Iunisi - Ruby Smith - Tufulele - Fifita
Jessikah Reeves
Salma Nour

Ana Malupo
Ebony Raftstrand-Smith
Makenzie Weale
Rosie Kelly
Tiana Raftstrand-Smith

Tallisha Harden

Match Officials

Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond

Last updated: 8/22/2025 1:30:45 AM

Fast Facts:

Wests Tigers have won only one from four at Leichhardt Oval.
The Cowboys have won four of their past five games.
Tigers fullback Caitlin Turnbull scored a hat-trick in her only previous game at Leichhardt Oval.
The Cowboys have won both games against Wests Tigers.

Stats supplied by NRL historian/statistician David Middleton.