Sydney Roosters unconcerned by importance of final NRLW match
THE Sydney Roosters have no doubt they can perform under the pressure of today’s do-or-die clash against St George Illawarra. The club is looking to notch its first NRLW win against the Dragons.
Roosters
Don't miss out on the headlines from Roosters. Followed categories will be added to My News.
THE Sydney Roosters have no doubt they can perform under the pressure of today’s do-or-die clash against St George Illawarra.
While their grand final fate rested on last night’s Broncos v Warriors clash, they still need to produce their best game of NRL women’s if they are to record a win in the inaugural season.
They’ll run out for the Sydney derby against the Dragons at Allianz Stadium in a double-header with the men’s side but the players are not concerned by the added pressure.
Having been in the professional setup for a couple of months now and setting themselves high standards, the Roosters know they have what it takes.
“There’s going to be pressure. We’ve put a lot of pressure on ourselves to perform as individuals,” said centre Shontelle Stowers.
“We’ve just got to concentrate on working as a team and playing the game that we know we can play. We have brilliant footy players in our team and we’re just going to focus on coming together.
“A lot of the players have been playing for a while and are quite professional now, the game has gone professional.
“We do feel individual frustrations but we’re very good at resilience and rising above it and supporting each other and working through those things.”
All eyes will be on the new halves pairing of Zahara Temara at halfback alongside Lavina O’Mealey.
Coach Adam Hartigan said earlier in the week it would be the first time he’s fielded a side where every player was in the position they were recruited for.
And a group session after last week’s 14-4 loss to the Brisbane Broncos has each player aware of what they need to do to get the win against the Dragons.
“The week’s been really good. We came together as a team and did a group session where we are all on the same page and as a result of that on Monday we had a really good training,” Stowers said.
“The team is coming together as a complete team and getting closer and closer every day this week.
“We’re definitely feeling the cohesion more. It’s a shorter period of time so there’s challenges around that but we’re ready and willing. We’ve got the hunger to compete this weekend.”
The Dragons will be without captain Sam Bremner but produced a big win over the Warriors last week without her leadership at the back.
Kezie Apps is expected to take the field despite an ankle complaint but the Roosters expect another tough match.
“It is a crunch game. The Dragons had a really good win last week,” Stowers said.
“But all the teams are coming out strong. We’ve seen that teams that we’re favoured at the beginning haven’t had the streak that was expected but it’s such a good competition. It’s really good footy and just shows how far it’s come.”