NRLW 2022: Sydney Roosters to make the most of their chance to keep premiership hopes alive
After losing to the Dragons, the Roosters were cheering on the Broncos for a second chance at making the finals. But be careful what you wish for.
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It was a bittersweet feeling for the Roosters playing group who were watching Brisbane’s 38-4 thrashing of the Eels on Sunday afternoon.
On one hand, it meant they would sneak into the finals on points’ differential after losing to the Dragons on Saturday but on the other, it means they now have to face the three-time NRLW premiers in this weekend’s semi-final clash.
Roosters skipper Corban Baxter admitted she was a little nervous watching the match unfold from the Fox League commentary studios in Sydney.
“I was on commentary so I was trying not to be too bias but I think a few of us were on edge,” Baxter said.
“The Broncos were on, after coming off a loss, and poor Parramatta had to face that.
“Brisbane just looked really good.
“We wanted to win on the weekend so we didn’t have to rely on the other results but as devastated as we were that we didn’t get the win, we knew there was still a chance.
“We’ve got the chance now to keep our season alive so we’ve got to make the most of it.”
Brisbane will play the Roosters in the first vs fourth match while the Dragons will battle it out with the Titans in the second vs third clash in the first ever NRLW semi-final, to be played at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday.
The Broncos proved just how dominant they can be with their comprehensive win over Parramatta last weekend and Baxter is under no illusion of the challenge that faces them on Saturday.
“It’s going to be a tough task to beat them,” she said.
“They’ve got a solid spine and then their middle is very good, so across the park they have strength everywhere.
“We’re just going to have to try our best to match them in the middle.
“Defence has been a main focus for us in the past few weeks and that’s been evident in our games.”
Baxter also praised her backrow teammates Olivia Kernick (35 tackles) and Keilee Joseph (12 runs, 109m) for their effort against the Dragons on Saturday.
“Keilee Joseph is just a workhorse both in defence and attack,” she said.
“Olivia Kernick has been unreal for us. They do a heap of work for us.
“In our first game against the Broncos, we showed some great defensive efforts.
“If we put that together and show a bit more control, we can put up a good battle against the Broncos.”
The textbook tackle that’s the talk of the NRLW
After five gruelling rounds, the NRLW semifinals have been decided, with the Broncos, Dragons, Titans and Roosters all set for action on the first weekend of the finals.
Chris Honnery wraps up an intriguing final round - and looks ahead to two huge final showdowns - in his R5 likes and dislikes.
LIKES
DEFENSIVE EFFORT
Emma Tonegato’s desperate, try-saving tackle on Jessica Sergis in the opening game of the round was one of the best defensive efforts this season. The Dragons were leading 4-0 in the dying minutes of the first half, when star Roosters centre Sergis broke through the line to sprint 60 metre towards the tryline, with nothing but open pasture in front of her. However, Tonegato denied her the chance of handing the Roosters the lead, with a textbook tackle to drag her into touch.
WHAT A TACKLE! 🤯🤯#NRLWDragonsRoosterspic.twitter.com/NCdHKKB083
— NRLW (@NRLWomens) March 26, 2022
NEW KNIGHTS
Where was that performance from the Newcastle Knights all season? The Knights entered the final round with no chance of making the finals but played their best game yet. Their defensive effort in the first half to hold out relentless wave after relentless wave of Titans attack was superb. It was their best defensive effort this season, holding the Titans to just 10 points.
SIX BECOMES FOUR
The fact five teams were vying it out for the top four spots in the final round of the NRLW season shows just how tough this competition has been. All eyes were on the Broncos who have dominated the past three seasons, but it’s been the Dragons who came close to claiming this year’s minor premiership. Only Brisbane’s 34-point win over the Eels saw the Broncos claim the top spot for the fourth straight year. It’s set to be a blockbuster semi final round next weekend.
DISLIKES
INJURY CONCERN
The injury to Eels fullback Botille Vette-Welsh was heartbreaking to see. The 25-year-old has been one of the best players in the competition this season and to see her go down was a devastating blow to Parramatta.
CHOOKS SEASON
The Roosters form this season hasn’t been to their usually high standard. Granted, they battled last-minute Covid interruptions and several injuries but their playing roster was stacked with talent that could have beaten the best in the competition. They lost against the Dragons but their season remains alive for another week, thanks to Brisbane’s thrashing of Parramatta on Sunday night. They face powerhouse Broncos in the semis, which will be a huge challenge.
Originally published as NRLW 2022: Sydney Roosters to make the most of their chance to keep premiership hopes alive
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