Roosters win 42-22 over Bulldogs, Titans beat Warriors 20-10

The Roosters bid for back-to-back NRLW titles is going strong, teaching the Bulldogs some valuable lessons after securing a tenth straight win.

It’s going to take something special to deny the Roosters back-to-back NRLW titles after the defending premiers made it 10 wins on the trot with their most emphatic performance of the season.

The Bulldogs have made a strong start to life in the NRLW but they were taught some valuable lessons by one of the competition heavyweights who are now 4-0 after they claimed a thumping 42-22 win at home.

Isabelle Kelly celebrates after scoring in the Roosters’ win over the Bulldogs. Picture: Getty Images

Skipper Isabelle Kelly was at her dominant best with two tries, five line breaks and 216 metres as the Roosters raced out to a 32-0 lead at the break with all of their stars contributing.

Kelly crossed in consecutive sets, with her second try coming off a great offload from Amber Hall before she raced almost 60 metres to score.

The scary thing is Golden Boot winner Tarryn Aiken could be back from injury next week, with Corban Baxter doing a fine job at five-eighth with a slashing solo try that started off a scrum near halfway.

DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR THE DEBUTANT

Not a lot went right for the Bulldogs but there was one shining light with rookie winger Elizabeth MacGregor grabbing a double as they showed plenty of fight to win the second half.

The day started well for the debutant who nabbed an intercept with her first touch, before she had two moments to celebrate with some nice finishes in the left corner.

While the tries were nice, the Bulldogs will be disappointed with the first half where their discipline let them down big time as the hosts ran riot.

The Bulldogs have been taught some harsh lessons after going down to the premiership heavyweights. Picture: Getty Images

HIP DROP DRAMA

Reigning Dally M Medal winner Olivia Kernick could earn the ire of the match review committee after she was placed on report for a hip-drop tackle on Holli Wheeler.

The second-half incident was placed on report with Wheeler able to continue playing despite being in pain after Kernick landed on her foot.

COWBOYS EYE FINALS AS RAIDERS MISERY CONTINUES

—Patrick Woods

North Queensland appears ready for its inaugural NRLW finals campaign after an emphatic 26-0 win over the struggling Canberra Raiders in Townsville.

The Cowboys’ third win of 2025 moved them to second on the ladder as the season nears its midway point, and the team’s defence through the opening four rounds has been nothing short of exceptional.

Canberra’s slim hopes were cruelly dashed in the lead up to kick-off with star halfback and captain Zahara Temara ruled out with a hamstring injury, making way for Sereana Naitokatoka to come into the side.

The Cowboys look set for their inaugural NRLW finals campaign with a third win for the season taking them to second on the ladder. Picture: Getty Images

The Raiders struggled for direction without their inspirational leader but were defensively sound throughout the first half, containing the Cowboys to just one try through the opening 30 minutes.

A stunning individual effort from North Queensland centre Jasmine Peters just before the break gave the home side enough confidence to run on with the win, ensuring the Raiders have to wait at least another week for their first win of 2025.

Hailey-Jay Ormond-Maunsell came close to scoring her first try in Cowboys colours during the second half, but unselfishly threw a pass for Abigail Roache to score her second try of the afternoon.

North Queensland scored three tries in the second half while holding the Raiders to nil in another impressive defensive showing.

JUBILANT JASMINE

Peters was at her brilliant best on the right edge, toying with the Canberra defence throughout the contest and busting a game-high seven tackles.

After holding the Cowboys out for more than half an hour, the Maroons centre shrugged off multiple defenders and ran more than 60 metres to score, batting away the attempted tackle from 18-year-old Raiders fullback Elise Simpson on her way to the line.

Peters and left centre Roache have been two of North Queensland’s most reliable players this season in a team that appears bound for its first finals appearance in 2025.

Roache looked to have injured her right shoulder in the process of setting up a try for Krystal Blackwell midway through the second half, however the Kiwi Ferns star bravely played on for 10 minutes before coming to the sideline.

Cowboys winger Jasmine Peters was at her brilliant best against the Raiders. Picture: Getty Images

NO BIRTHDAY LUCK

Raiders backrower Hollie-Mae Dodd celebrated her 22nd birthday on Saturday, but the night’s festivities would have been muted following her team’s performance.

The barnstorming English backrower was one of Canberra’s better players, making 26 tackles with just one miss and breaking one tackle from her seven carries.

TITANS PUT POOR ATTACKING START BEHIND THEM IN NRLW ROAD WIN

Gold Coast’s poor attacking start to the NRLW season is a distant memory after they blitzed the Warriors early to pick up their second road win on the trot.

The Titans scored just two tries in the first two rounds but matched that in the opening 15 minutes on Saturday as they made the most of their hot start to beat the Warriors 20-10 in Auckland.

Last week’s win over the Wests Tigers was the confidence boost they needed, with the Titans moving the ball with precision as both wingers crossed in the first half.

The decision to start Lily-Rose Kolc on the bench proved to be a masterstroke as her fresh legs helped her dart through to score from dummy-half, while Jaime Chapman traded her unrivalled speed for sheer strength as she fought through three defenders to cross in the second half.

Jaime Chapman in full flight against the Warriors. Picture: NRL Imagery

These are the wins that can make all the difference in a tight race to the finals, with Lauren Brown’s kicking game and the form of their forwards enough to keep them in most games, with Georgia Hale making 40 tackles with just one miss.

ROOM TO GROW

The Warriors will feel like they could have easily won this, but 11 penalties conceded and an unwillingness to chance their arm hurt them in the end as they fell to their third loss from four games in their return to the competition.

Warriors’ Apii Nicholls in action against the Titans. Picture: NRL Imagery

They got back within 10 and were camped on the Titans’ line for five minutes but couldn’t crack them, with an Apii Nicholls grubber sailing dead to end their comeback.

Emmanita Paki should have scored for them in the first half, only for the centre to spill a grubber, but she made no mistake a few minutes later when she offloaded to winger Payton Takimoana who became the first player to reach five tries this season.