NRLW tackle: All the likes and dislikes from round 9 of NRLW
There is growing concern at NRL headquarters following more hip drop drama in the NRLW. See all the likes and dislikes from the NRLW.
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As the regular season approaches its end, Pamela Whaley reveals her likes and dislikes from round 9 of the NRLW season.
ROUND 9 DISLIKES
BROKEN DOWN AT THE FINISH
It’s been obvious for a while now that the team with the most fit players at the end of the year will be the last one standing.
In round 8 more players devastatingly dropped out for finals hopeful sides.
Canberra’s English import Hollie Mae Dodd appears to have done her ACL and will be sent for confirmation scans this week.
Sydney Roosters prop Millie Boyle pulled out of Saturday’s top of the table clash with Newcastle with a shoulder injury, while teammate Jess Sergis is at long odds to play again this season after undergoing surgery on a fractured finger.
MORE HIP DROPS
Every week we’re stunned at the number of hip drops causing injuries in the women’s game.
This week, of course there was another.
Brisbane forward Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala is facing a two-match ban for a grade three dangerous contact charge after an ugly tackle on Tigers star Sarah Togatuki.
Togatuki was taken from the field and didn’t return, and it’s just another in a long list of dangerous tackles in the women’s game this year.
The NRL are concerned, and it’s something that needs to be addressed head on in the off-season with all clubs.
EXPANDING TOO QUICKLY
Talk of expansion as soon as 2024 is simply too soon.
An email went around to club CEOs recently asking for expressions of interest for the addition of NRLW teams, which will be open from 2024.
At least one other Sydney club is desperate to get into the game.
It makes sense that we want the women’s game to grow, but the massive jump from six teams to 10 this season has only shown there’s more to be done to develop players before coming into the NRLW.
Patience is needed.
Squad sizes are still too small and at the back end of the season we’ve seen sides completely decimated with injury and falling out of games prematurely.
We need to be sure the quality of the competition will remain because it’s so crucial to the success of the entire product.
That means reconfiguring the season, playing with the timing of NRLW as well as the NSW and Queensland competitions and State of Origin.
If changes are to be made, a whole game makeover is needed, not just the addition of two more teams.
ROUND 9 LIKES
LAST ROUND SHOOT OUT
The competition has been top heavy over the past few weeks but there’s a genuine race for the finals coming into the last round.
Gold Coast and Canberra will play in a shoot out for the last spot in the finals at GIO Stadium on Sunday.
After a convincing win over Parramatta on Sunday, the Titans sit in third spot on the ladder, and the Raiders’ are just two points out of the top four following their 34-12 win over the Cowboys.
Their points differential is within reach too, so it will come down to the last match of the round.
That’s a huge win for the NRL to have one of the competition’s newest teams competing so deep into the season.
TOP DOGS
The Knights and Roosters game was one of the best of the season and fitting for a top of the table clash.
Although the Roosters were short on troops with a number of injuries, it was fast-paced and high quality.
It showed that while there’s been a gap between the top and bottom teams this year, there’s not much separating the best.
Perhaps a preview of the grand final?
INSPIRING RESPONSE TO AWFUL NEWS
The devastating personal circumstances of Brisbane NRLW players Toni Hunt and Lavinia Gould were revealed this week, and the rugby league community is answering.
Both the NRL and the Broncos are behind the girls financially and emotionally, but the outpouring of love for Hunt, who is currently undergoing chemotherapy, and Gould, whose daughter is gravely ill, has been inspiring to witness.
So far Hunt’s GoFundMe page has raised $7300, while Gould’s is up to $19,034.
Queensland rivals Gold Coast Titans have chipped in for both women, while players from all across the NRLW have also reached into their pockets to donate.
However, more needs to be raised to help Hunt, her three children and her pattern Tahu through her latest diagnosis of metastatic cholangiocarcinoma.
Gould too, who is by her daughter’s bedside as she fights for her life in intensive care following emergency heart surgery.
Both have medical bills to pay for, and need to take time off work to support their families through what is the most difficult time of their lives.
BRISBANE DOES IT TOUGH
Knowing everything that’s been bubbling away in the background, watching the Broncos dig deep to keep their season alive against Wests Tigers on Saturday was special.
It wasn’t pretty, but they found something in the tank to come back from a 10-point deficit midway through the second half to beat the Tigers 22-18.
The win kept them in the top four going into the final round as they look to make something of their season despite the devastation within the club for their teammates.
They’ll face St George Illawarra on Saturday.
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