The top six is yet to be finalised as we head into the final round of the ever-evolving NRLW competition.
While the Roosters and Broncos have been dominant in the top two, we’ve otherwise got the exciting finish we all hoped for. As we saw in the late rounds of last year, even when teams can’t make the finals they can still turn up, play some quality football and spring upsets that impact how the season finishes.
Bring it on.
Watch every game of the 2025 NRL Women’s Premiership LIVE and ad-break free during play on FOX LEAGUE, available on Kayo Sports. New to Kayo? Join now and get your first month for just $1.
ROOSTERS 26 RAIDERS 14
The Roosters were just put under genuine pressure by the Raiders, something that no one saw coming. But this undefeated side showed yet again that when things aren’t going their way and the conditions are tough, they can still prevail.
It’s the ultimate champion quality.
Just to put a line under it, Tarryn Aiken made a brilliant linebreak in the dying moments to carve up Canberra and seal her side’s sweet 16th win in succession with style. While the run metres of Isabelle Kelly were missed, the captain has already been named to make her return from that jaw injury this weekend against the Sharks.
Kudos to the Raiders – that was the closest that any team barring the Broncos has come to the Roosters this season. They might have lost, but they played with dignity and class, and have really found something positive to carry forward into next season.
Zahara Temara’s try midway through the second half against the Roosters was incredible, epitomising her competitive nature and leadership. Her Raiders just look a different side to what we saw earlier this season; organised, defensively strong and overwhelmingly more confident.
And should they beat the sixth-placed Titans on Saturday, they could decide who gets the last finals spot.
DRAGONS 14 COWBOYS 42
If results pan out for the Cowboys this weekend, they could get a home final in their first-ever appearance in the NRLW post-season. That would be a wonderful result for the club, who put their finals spot beyond doubt with a comprehensive second-half romp against the Dragons.
Fran Goldthorp’s intercept for a length of the field try just nine minutes in was a sensational start in Wollongong and Kirra Dibb really took control of the game.
The regular season ends on a very tough note for the Cowboys, with a Queensland Derby against the Broncos, but they could hardly get a better game to sharpen them up for what’s coming.
As for the Dragons, Teagan Berry really showed her class against the Cowboys. She has speed to burn and apart from a pair of tries, her near length of the field linebreak that led to an Ella Koster try was a brilliant bit of footy.
The Saints can play spoiler this weekend, facing a Newcastle side that has a chance to finish as high as third.
BULLDOGS 24 SHARKS 14
The odds were stacked against the Dogs, having not won since Round 2 while the Sharks were on a winning streak and sitting third, seemingly set to inflict a drubbing en route to the finals … but Canterbury clearly missed the memo.
Having hung with Cronulla in the first half, the Dogs hit top speed from the kick-off in the second, scoring two tries in quick succession thanks to the vision and brilliance of Ashleigh Quinlan, assisting Elizabeth McGregor and Shannon Muru on the left. Quinlan and Tayla Preston were terrific in the halves, while prop Alex Tauaneai ran for 205 metres despite being off the field with an injury for part of the game.
With that kind of late form, the Dogs could give the Eels some trouble on Friday, with Parramatta needing to win to have a hope of snatching sixth spot from the Titans.
As for the Sharks, it gets no easier with a final-round appointment against the dominant Roosters. They’ll at least want to tidy up their error rate before the finals, while they can take some positives from the form of Jada Taylor and Georgia Hannaway.
WARRIORS 6 BRONCOS 26
This clash was always likely to result in a Broncos win, but given the difference in playing rosters, time in the NRLW and the fact that it’s towards the end of the season, the Warriors shouldn’t be too disappointed with a 20-point margin considering the 18-0 half-time deficit.
While the Broncos can boast so much experience and depth, it was their youngster Shalom Sauaso who had the most run metres on the weekend (164m). No surprises that workhorse Keilee Joseph made 55 tackles and Lauren Dam was a standout in the second-row.
The Broncos, who got another try double from Tamika Upton, sit comfortably in second on the ladder and will be itching for the upcoming finals. A Queensland Derby against a Cowboys side running third will be a cracking way to end their regular season.
KNIGHTS 28 TITANS 22
This was the game of the round, with first-half lead changes before a dramatic try for Jesse Southwell with just seconds to go that sealed the deal for Newcastle. It looked like we were headed to golden point in this match-up of long-standing rivals, only for Jesse to score her first try in more than a year.
The Knights are really the team to watch this weekend. With a likely win against the Dragons in the final round, they could finish as high as third despite sitting fifth currently, with the teams in front of them (Cowboys and Sharks) facing the Broncos and Roosters respectively and therefore likely to lose.
The Titans got a huge performance out of Jess Elliston in Newcastle and their finals fate is still in their hands, sitting in sixth spot a point clear of the Eels. If Parramatta beat the Bulldogs on Friday, then the Titans must beat the Raiders on Saturday – which is no longer a given thanks to Canberra’s amazing form spike in the past month.
EELS 38 WESTS TIGERS 4
The Eels were pumped for a double header at home and delivered with a resounding victory in which NSW Origin fullback Abbi Church again led the charge with almost 200 run metres. Martha Mateale clocked 179m and four more Eels also made it over the 100m mark.
Rueben Cherrington has had an impressive season at the Eels and topped the tackle count after another solid performance at hooker. Her guidance and service to the halves has been integral to the success of the Eels’ attack all season.
Will they play finals? All they can do is beat the Bulldogs on Friday and see if the Titans slip up the following day against the Raiders.
Meanwhile, Tigers coach Brett Kimmorley is officially headed for the exit door. It’s been a tough run this season for a side that has made improvements, but not at the pace of the rest of the competition, including the newly-established teams.
The Tigers have plenty of promise in their youth, certainly their leading forwards in Kezie Apps and Sarah Togatuki have been individually brilliant, while I’ve been impressed this season by Rebecca Pollard. But overall, there’s not enough strike to their attacking game or consistency across the park.
Discussion about this post