Sky Blues coach Kylie Hilder talks about the matches and players to watch in Round Nine of Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership and Tarsha Gale Cup.
Things continue to heat up in the women’s game with three teams in the NSW Women’s Premiership – Mounties, Sharks and Knights – trying to force their way into the top-four with three rounds left.
It is the final round in Tarsha Gale Cup with two teams - the Panthers and Raiders – trying to make the top six cut-off ahead of Semi-finals starting next weekend.
Harvey Norman NSW Women's Premiership
South Sydney Rabbitohs v St George Dragons
South Sydney got their second win of the season last weekend in a close 14-12 match with Wentworthville and it’s a great reward for the effort they are putting in.
I think I’ve said this a couple of times now, but the Rabbitohs play a good brand of footy, so I’d expect them to enjoy their third win this weekend – and they’re at home at Redfern Oval.
The Dragons keep turning up and keep fighting as they do every week. I give them a lot of credit for that.
North Sydney Bears v Central Coast Roosters
This is 1st versus 2nd on the ladder so this match holds a lot of interest in terms of players being able to put their hands up and make a difference for their side.
There will be a great battle in the middle with Millie Boyle playing her second game for the Roosters and she’ll be starting in the front row this time. She’s up against some future stars of our game in Kalosipani Hopoate and Filomina Hanisi.
It will be an equally good battle in the halves with the two incumbent Origin halves in Kirra Dibb (NSW) and Tarryn Aiken (Qld) both at No.6, while Dally M winner Raecene McGregor is the Bears halfback against Player of the Match winner for the Roosters last week, Jocelyn Kelleher.
Newcastle Knights v Mounties
Mounties have named their hard-working skipper Simaima Taufa, but I’m hearing she is struggling with an ankle injury.
If she’s out that’s a big loss for Mounties. It will help the Knights cause as they would want to redeem themselves after losing their way against the Roosters.
They were up 10-0 after 25 minutes but ended up losing 20-10, but they’re at home this week.
It’s time to move for the Knights as they’re in 7th spot but only one win away from Mounties in fifth spot with three matches left before finals begin. Knights have the ability to push into that top-four so let’s see how they go.
Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs v Wentworthville Magpies
Kennedy Cherrington is returning for the Bulldogs and it will be good to see her back out there. Her presence will strengthen their forward pack.
It’s a big stage – Accor Stadium – and Cherrington along with teammates Gayle Broughton and Holli Wheeler are international players so will thrive in that atmosphere.
The Bulldogs are coming off a bye so will be fresh and I think too strong for the Magpies. They will also be looking for the win to consolidate that top-four position.
Illawarra Steelers v Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks
This is a danger game for the Steelers as they are sitting in that 4th spot so they need to keep their foot on the accelerator to stay in contention for the Semi-finals.
Sharks coach Ruan Sims has made a couple of positional changes in putting NSW U19s star Jada Taylor at fullback and moving Sky Blue Tiana Penitani to the centres. Both are great runners with the ball and seem to evade tacklers with ease.
Steelers coach Alicia-Kate Hawke has also made a move by putting Jillaroos co-captain Kezie Apps up into the front row to get those sets rolling early. Kezie will take on emerging front rower in Sharks’ Ellie Johnston, who has been going really well.
But I think it will be an outside backs kind of game and the Steelers spine is solid with Emma Tonegato at fullback, Keeley Davis at hooker, Taliah Fuimaono and Rachael Pearson in the halves.
Tarsha Gale Cup
We’re down to the last round in the U19s and the top-six is not yet settled.
The Penrith Panthers (v North Sydney Bears) and Canberra Raiders (v South Sydney) can still make the Semi-finals but need a win this weekend, as well as either the Steelers or Parramatta Eels to lose.
