The NRLW Tackle: Caitlan Johnston-Green suffers season-ending injury, Gayle Broughton sparks Broncos turnaround
Newcastle have been dealt a massive blow in their title defence aspirations with their star forward set to miss the rest of the NRLW season through injury.
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Pamela Whaley reveals her likes and dislikes from round three of the NRLW.
DISLIKES
SEASON OVER FOR KNIGHTS STAR
Newcastle star Caitlan Johnston-Green will miss the rest of the NRLW season with a knee injury.
In a huge blow for the two-time premiers, the NSW and Australia prop suffered a knee injury at training this week and was withdrawn for Saturday’s clash with the Dragons.
It’s a devastating end for the 23 year old, who has signed with the Sharks for next season.
She has spent the past four with the Knights, winning two NRLW titles and establishing herself as one of the best forwards in the league.
TITANIC COLLAPSE
It’s been one hell of a weekend for the Gold Coast.
After winning two from two at Cbus Super Stadium last weekend, both the men’s and women’s teams have come crashing back down to earth.
With the men’s 44-0 loss to Cronulla on Friday and the women’s 44-4 shock loss to the Broncos on Sunday afternoon, the Titans have lost the weekend by a combined score of 88-4.
For the women in particular it’s a long way to fall.
Last year’s grand finalists have been unbeaten to start the season and came into Sunday’s derby firm favourites.
LENGTH OF SEASON
The NRLW keeps delivering, but one of the biggest things holding it back is the length of the season.
At the end of round three we’re a third of the way through the season and it’s already getting into impossible territory for teams at the bottom to make the top four.
It kills off the excitement we’re seeing in the last few rounds of the men’s season in a frantic race to the finals.
Then there are teams like Canberra, who have played quality football so far but have only one win to show for it.
Of course, the NRLW doesn’t make any money for the game through broadcasting dollars yet.
But it will.
And when it does we need more games, and a longer finals system to do the competition justice.
TIGER PAIN
The Tigers are in a world of hurt after losing their first three games, but it could get worse ahead of their Western Sydney derby with Parramatta on Sunday.
There are fears of an ACL injury for Harmony Crichton, little sister of Bulldogs centre Stephen, after she was taken from the field after a in Saturday’s loss to the Roosters.
She went down untouched while changing directions which is a concern.
Skipper Kezie Apps was also struggling with a knee injury after it hit the ground in a tackle.
Both will be assessed with the club to know more on Monday.
LIKES
WELCOME BACK, GAYLE
The Broncos have desperately missed Gayle Broughton and Sunday was evidence why.
The superstar five-eighth has been sidelined to start the year with an ongoing back injury after having surgery in the off-season.
But on Sunday she completely unlocked the Broncos left side attack of Mele Hufanga and Julia Robinson as the pair combined for five tries.
That includes a massive individual haul of four tries for Hufanga, who had a breakout season in the NRLW last year but had started this season slowly.
The Kiwi centre scored 10 tries in 10 games last year but hadn’t crossed yet until Sunday.
THEY’RE BACK
What a turnaround Steve Georgallis has made with the Eels.
Granted, they were hampered by a mass of injuries last season, but they won just one game for the entire season.
But three weeks into this one and they’ve already doubled their total with Sunday’s win over the Cowboys.
They’ve won two and had a narrow loss to Cronulla last week.
But what’s been most impressive is they’ve shown a toughness and commitment to stay in the fight, and completely out gunned North Queensland on Sunday.
The Cowboys had an even share of the ball but were frustrated into mistakes, and their completion rate (68 per cent) took a hit.
The Eels finished with an 85 per cent completion rate and just six errors.
Very tidy, indeed.
CASH GRAB OR LOVE OF THE GAME, NRLW STILL WINS
Cronulla’s signing of Sharni Smale is expected to be announced next week as the tidal wave of rugby sevens stars converting to the NRLW rolls on.
It’s obviously been happening for years, during 2020 when Charlotte Caslick and co joined the competition just to get some game time.
Dual internationals Emma Tonegato and Evania Pelite d
ominate the NRLW.
Same with fringe players who have been on the edge of higher honours with Rugby Australia but never quite cracked the top, like Jakiya Whitfeld, Lauren Brown, Jesse Southwell and Tiana Penitani.
They’re some of the biggest stars in the NRLW now.
Once Smale’s contract is approved by the NRL, the 36-year-old will join fellow Olympians and New Zealand stars Tyla King (Dragons), Stacey Waaka (Broncos) and Tenika Willison (Knights) in this year’s competition.
Some have come across to return to their first love of rugby league.
Some for better exposure on free-to-air television, others for more regular game time, less travel and stability.
Some for a quick cash grab, and that’s OK too.
Whatever the reason, NRLW wins.
It’s never about taking the spot in a team of an up-and-coming kid.
They will get their chances, and the game is not done growing yet. There’s room for everyone if they’re ready.
What happens is these special athletes take the competition to a new level, setting new standards at training, with mental toughness and energy, and a winning mindset.
They are automatic leaders.
They demonstrate to their impressionable teammates who have only known semi-pro or even amateur rugby league what it takes to be a professional athlete.
Their switch creates interest for casual fans too, and brings in new audiences to the growing NRLW.
As the game pushes towards full-time professionalism by 2028 it’s these commitments from big stars that drive the competition into the future.
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