Two teams with plenty to prove this NRLW season given their 2025 campaigns, it was the Canberra Raiders who shone brightest, winning away from home against the St George Illawarra Dragons in a 20-4 victory.
It would be the Dragons to come out of the blocks early as star fullback Teagan Berry twisted, turned and twirled her way to the line before reaching out to score.
Some scrambling defence combined with both teams finding their feet in attack, it would take roughly 25 minutes for the next points and it would be from the Raiders.
Former Dragon Bobbi Law was on the receiving end of a well worked overlap from Sheridan Gallagher, another star Raiders recruit, as they opened their 2026 account.
On the stroke of halftime, the Raiders had a second try as Grace Kemp powered her way over from close range to score under the posts and give the Raiders a 10-4 lead at the break.
The second half, for the most part, would belong to the Raiders, as Mackenzie Wiki was the next to score out wide playing on the wing.
A penalty goal from Sheridan Gallagher would give the Raiders a 16-4 lead with ten minutes to go.
Tahlia O’Brien was then sin-binned and the Raiders pounced as veteran forward Simaima Taufa bustled through the middle to score a try in her 50th NRLW game.
Dragons coach Nathan Cross lamented his side’s inability to capitalise on good field position which led to their inability to score more points.
“We just didn’t take our chances today,” Cross said.
“We bombed a try down our left edge in the first half that would have put us 8 or 10 nil up and we lost a bit a confidence, the game changed and they scored. It was almost a 12-point turnaround.”
In her 50th game, Taufa said post-game that the main focus for the team this year is their connection as a playing group and being there for each other.
“What we wanted to focus on was our connection as a group and we did really well to come together,” Taufa said.
“The girls came in with the willingness to learn but their attitude and mindset this year has been second-to-none and the way they were resilient out there showcased that.”
Canberra Raiders 20 (Law, Kemp, Wiki, Taufa; Goals: Temara, Gallagher) def. St George Illawarra Dragons 4 (Berry)
Ricky’s Player of the Game
3. Sheridan Gallagher (CAN) – 3
2. Simaima Taufa (CAN) – 2
1. Krystal Blackwell (CAN) – 1