The NRLW Tackle: Resurgent Broncos, NSW Sky Blues cannot overlook Kirra Dibb anymore, Wests Tigers woes intensify

All of a sudden the Broncos look like an NRLW premiership threat again, with their outside backs putting on some razzle dazzle to score some of the best tries this season. Watch some of the best moments in the NRLW TACKLE.

Kirra Dibb has reminded everyone of her quality with her recent performances. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Tyson Jackson reveals his likes and dislikes from round four of the NRLW season.

LIKES

BRONCOS ARE BACK

All of a sudden the once NRLW powerhouse Broncos look like a premiership threat again. Brisbane head to Leichhardt Oval next Sunday chasing three consecutive wins. It’s a long way from where they were after starting the season with losses to Parramatta and the Sydney Roosters.

Stacey Waaka sets up a try for a Shenae Ciesiolka and herself with some brilliant aerial catches. Video: NRL

The Broncos’ attacking threat was underlined by three players – Shenae Ciesiolka, Stacey Waaka, and Julia Robinson – celebrating try-scoring doubles in the 28-22 win over Canberra on Saturday.

While coach Scott Prince has some defensive issues to sort out, he knows they boast points all over the park.

As well as plenty of razzle dazzle in the backs, the Broncos have prop Chelsea Lenarduzzi powering through the middle. Lenarduzzi was exceptional in racking up a whopping 20 carries and 168 metres.

This kind of work ethic could be the difference when it comes to finals footy.

Julia Robinson scores for the Broncos with a superb finish. Video: NRL

DEVASTATING DIBB

Kirra Dibb served a reminder that she is one of the elite playmakers in the NRLW.

Dibb’s performance to sink competition heavyweights Gold Coast on Saturday was one of the best individual efforts of the season and showed the mercurial playmaker is capable of lifting the Cowboys to their first finals appearance in the competition.

Kirra Dibb has reminded the NRLW of her quality with her recent performances. Picture: Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images

Next week, Dibb and the Cowboys will fly to Canberra to take on a Raiders side coming off three straight losses and the North Queenslanders have a great shot at blasting their way into the top four.

But it’s not only halfback Dibb that the Raiders should be concerned about. The Cowboys captain’s form is unlocking speedy centre Jakiya Whitfeld in the centres.

The pair combined for a try in the first half which should have opposition teams nervous, Dibb took the ball to the line and threw a magnificent flat pass to the flying former Tiger Whitfield to score her third try of the season.

Dibb had a hand in every point scored for the Cowboys with the icing on the cake being the field goal to take the game 11-10.

Her performance against the Titans has already sparked calls for her recall to the Origin arena for NSW. If she is not selected, it would be absolutely ridiculous.

The Sky Blues haven’t won a series since parting ways with Dibb after the 2022 series, and her big-game mentality and class is clearly being missed.

Dibb also won a grand final for the Knights in 2022, but since then, she has been kept out of the Origin conversation.

DOUBLE TROUBLE

A couple of Sydney Roosters weapons issued warnings to NRLW premiership rivals with Isabelle Kelly and Amber Hall smashing it out of the park scoring doubles and keeping statisticians busy in the Tricolours’ 28-8 win over St George Illawarra in Wollongong.

Isabelle Kelly was excellent for the Roosters. Picture: NRL Photos

Kelly, starting in her preferred centre position for the first time this season, torched the Dragons with 226 running metres, eight tackle busts and two tries.

While Hall, a two-time premiership-winning former Bronco, showed why she is regarded as one of the most damaging forwards in the game on her day with a try-scoring double and eight tackle busts from eight carries.

Hall joined the Roosters last season but lasted just one game after suffering a lisfranc injury and showed on Sunday that if she can stay on the park has the ability to help the Tricolours all the way to a premiership.

DISLIKES

TIGERS FACE FIFTH-STRAIGHT DEFEAT

The Tigers’ NRLW struggles continue despite a massive performance in going down 12-10 to Parramatta.

Unfortunately for the Tigers, effort alone doesn’t get you points and just like the NRL side, the club’s women’s team also sits at the bottom of the ladder.

While the NRL side celebrated a win over Souths on Saturday night, coach Brett Kimmorley’s NRLW team is staring down the barrel of a fifth-straight loss against a resurgent Brisbane at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday.

The Wests Tigers are anchored at the bottom of the ladder. Picture: NRL Photos

KNIGHTS HAVE THE WOBBLES

The reigning two-time premiers Newcastle have lost their way.

The Knights head into Saturday’s clash with Parramatta staring down the barrel at three straight losses after Cronulla beat them 14-12 in Round 4.

Newcastle are lacking direction and their big name stars are struggling to perform. Reigning Dally M medallist and Knights superstar fullback Tamika Upton was kept quiet against the Sharks on Sunday with only five carries and 59 running metres.

Tamika Upton was kept quiet by the Sharks. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

Adding to the list of NRLW casualties and issues for the Knights is Newcastle halfback Jesse Southwell who suffered a scary head knock which saw her leave the field and in doubt for the Parramatta game.

At this rate it looks like things will be getting worse for the Knights before they get better and the Eels will fancy their chances of a win in Sydney.

HEAD KNOCK FOR SHARK

Cronulla back rower Talei Holmes had to be taken from the field on a stretcher after a nasty head knock late in the Sharks’ win over Newcastle.

It took some of the gloss off what has been an incredible start to the year for Cronulla who are the only unbeaten side in the competition after four rounds.

Talei Holmes is treated after a nasty head knock. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

REALITY CHECK FOR DRAGONS

What a difference a week makes in the NRLW.

After looking like they turned a corner thanks to toppling the two-time premiers Newcastle, the Dragons were sent crashing back down to earth by the Roosters and things could get worse against Cronulla next week with a star in doubt.

Raecene McGregor is treated for an injury. Picture: NRL Photos/Gregg Porteous

Halfback Raecene McGregor copped a heavy knock against the Roosters and her place in the side to face the Sharks is up in the air.

At times against the Roosters, it seemed like it was McGregor and fullback Teagan Berry against the Chooks and with the halfback in doubt, the No.1 will be relied upon to carry an even heavier load against Cronulla.

Berry was incredible in a beaten side with 174 metres, 10 tackle busts and a try but she can’t do it all on her own.