As it happened: Sharks, Broncos, Knights chalk up victories

Working the house down: Jaydika Tafua came up with 43 tackles for the Sharks while Quincy Dodd made 40 tackles and Talei Holmes 37 as the home team dug deep to keep the Tigers at bay.

Captain Kezie: The Tigers came up empty but you can't question their effort and it was Kezie Apps (19 runs for 203 metres and five tackle breaks) and Sarah Togatuki (18 runs for 164 metres) showing the way. Winger Caitlin Turnbull continued her sensational start to the season with two more tries and 124 run metres.

Full-time: The Sharks cling on for a four-point win thanks to huge games from skipper Tiana Penitani-Gray (23 runs for 195 metres) and Cassie Staples (20 runs for 202 metres). Wests Tigers tried valiantly but still remain winless after four rounds as they head to Magic Round to face the Roosters.

65 min: Losana Lutu goes to the grubber but the Sharks are able to shut it down and come out of their danger zone.

63 min: Cassie Staples tries to control a kick with her foot but it rolls into touch off her and the Tigers get a shot at levelling things up.

61 min: Wests Tigers prop Christian Pio is carried from the field after suffering a knee injury in a tackle.

59 min: Another four-pointer for the prolific Caitlin Turnbull courtesy of a well-timed pass from Emily Bass, the winger taking her tally to six tries for the season, the most in the NRLW in 2025. Losana Lutu can't convert from touch. Sharks 20-16.

57 min: Sharks debutant Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu is carried from the field by two trainers.

53 min: The Sharks swing the ball from side to side with a number of players handling before Emma Verran, Tyla King and Tiana Penitani-Gray throw some quality passes to put Cassie Staples over in the corner despite a last-ditch tackle from Caitlin Turnbull. Sharks 20-12.

51 min: Another head clash for Stephanie Faulkner and she leaves the field for second HIA of the night feeling her face after a tough night at the office. She is deemed a Category One and won't return.

51 min: The Sharks pile on the pressure and Annessa Biddle and Emma Verran both go close but the Tigers' defence holds firm.

43 min: Salma Nour throws a huge dummy and scurries over from dummy half to get the Tigers right back in it. Losana Lutu converts. Sharks 16-12.

41 min: Stephanie Faulkner comes up with a mistake, the Sharks throw in a captain's challenge but it is unsuccessful and the Tigers get another shot inside the Red Zone.

40 min: The Tigers get an early shot at points but Montana Clifford comes up with an error and the chance is lost.

36 min: Jetaya Faifua loses the ball in a heavy tackle and a knock on is called but the Tigers throw in a successful captain's challenge with the bunker ruling a strip.

Half-time: The Sharks overcame the early loss of Brooke Anderson to run in three tries and take a 10-point lead to the break. Centres Tiana Penitani-Gray and Annessa Biddle combined for 23 runs and 212 metres while Kezie Apps led from the front for Wests Tigers with 115 run metres and a line break.

32 min: Former NZ Sevens star Tyla King comes on for her Sharks debut to replace Georgia Hannaway who looked to have hurt her ankle.

30 min: Georgia Ravics comes up with a trysaver on Amelia Huakau in the left-hand corner. Sharks 16-6.

29 min: A strong hit by Jade Fonua forces an error from Cassie Staples and the Tigers get a chance to capitalise on their one-player advantage.

26 min: Just 30 seconds after returning to the field after passing her HIA, Stephanie Faulkner is binned for a professional foul.

25 min: Sharks prop Ellie Johnston limps off the field.

23 min: Wests Tigers fail to find touch from a penalty and the Sharks make them pay the ultimate price when Annessa Biddle delivers the final pass for Georgia Ravics to score. Chantay Kiria-Ratu can't add the extras from wide out. Sharks 16-6.

20 min: A trademark Kezie Apps burst puts the Tigers on the attack and she offloads to Caitlin Turnbull but the winger's pass to Emily Bass goes forward.

17 min: The Sharks go to the air and Jetaya Faifua makes a mess of the catch and it ends up with Manilita Takapautolo who crashes over for a try. Chantay Kiria-Ratu converts. Sharks 12-6.

16 min: Wests Tigers halfback Losana Lutu leaves the field for a HIA after she tried to take Annessa Biddle head on but copped a hip to the head. She passes and is able to return to the field.

14 min: A grubber from Chantay Kiria-Ratu is knocked on by Montana Clifford but the Sharks hand possession straight back when Georgia Hannaway comes up with an error.

13 min: Annessa Biddle gets over the line but three Tigers scramble to hold her up and she goes back to the 10m line to play the ball on the last tackle.

12 min: Sharks forward Stephanie Faulkner heads to the sheds for an HIA with blood coming from her nose after she was accidentally trodden on while making a tackle. She passes the assessment and returns to the field.

8 min: Wests Tigers cash in on a mistake by Georgia Ravics when they march down field and Losana Lutu links with Emily Bass who puts tryscoring machine Caitlin Turnbull over for her fifth try of the season. Lutu converts. 6-6.

3 min: The Sharks go left and skipper Tiana Penitani-Gray attracts two defenders and puts Cassie Staples over for the opening try. Chantay Kiria-Ratu adds the extras. Sharks 6-0.

1 min: Sharks lock Brooke Anderson leaves the field for a HIA after making a front-on tackle on Sarah Togatuki.

Late Mail

Sharks: With Rhiannon Byers (pectoral) and prop Jacinta Carter (concussion) sidelined, Jaydika Tafua has been elevated to start in the second row with Steph Faulkner at prop while Tyla King and Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu join the bench. Kiria-Ratu becomes Cronulla's fourth NRLW debutante this year. Annessa Biddle comes back into the centres in her return from suspension. No further changes on game day with Grace-Lee Weekes is 18th player.

Wests Tigers: The Tigers are 1-17 with no late changes. Last week's debutant Faythe Manera has been named at five-eighth and will partner Losana Lutu in the halves, while Pihuka Berryman-Duff is back in the No.9 jersey. Salma Nour reverts to the interchange as a result. Jessikah Reeves has been named on the bench in her return from a head knock. 

Numbers Game

• Sharks captain Tiana Penitani Gray will make her 40th NRLW appearance.
• Wests Tigers have won both matches against the Sharks.
• The Sharks have lost their last four games at home.

 

Dragons v Broncos at WIN Stadium

Full-time: A big second half from the Broncos has seen them claim a big 30-6 win. The two sides went to the break with scores locked 6-6, but it was a turning point when Dragons fullback Teagan Berry was sent to the sin bin early in the second half, forcing the home side to work even harder in defence. In the end, the Broncos were convincing winners, fixing up their completions to finish with a 32/39 rate and making 11 errors compared to 18 from the Dragons. 

69th min: Ali Brigginshaw is sent to the sin bin in the final minute of the game for a professional foul with the Broncos scrambling to try and prevent the Dragons from scoring any second-half points. 

60th min: After some good work to help set up the last try, Lenarduzzi gets one of her own next, charging over the line over some tired Dragons defence right under the posts. Teitzel converts her second of the day and Broncos are way out in front now 30-6. 

55th min - injury update: Unfortunately for the Dragons, young gun Kasey Reh has been ruled out of the rest of the game game with a head knock she suffered trying to defend the last Broncos try. 

53rd min: More points for the Broncos with Tamika Upton going over for another Brisbane try. The started in the middle with a late offload from Chelsea Lenarduzzi putting them on the front foot, attacking out to their right before the fullback cutting back to run in and score. Romy Teitzel gets the conversion and it's 24-6 to the Broncos. 

44th min: Back-to-back tries from the Broncos with Brigginshaw's kick coming down close to the line, with the Dragons unable to mop it up. Clark is on hand to pick up the loose ball and she just gets it down despite defenders doing their best to keep her away from the line. Clark converts and it's 18-6.

42nd min: Keri Johnson puts the Broncos in front with a try on the left hand side, running onto a great long ball from Gayle Broughton who loops it out to her winger over multiple players. However, drama a Johnson is hurt as she puts the ball down after Teaghan Berry comes in late, leading with her knees. The Dragons fullback is put on report and sent to the sin bin, also giving the Broncos the chance of an eight-point try. Clark can't convert from out out, but is successful from the second attempt right in front and the Broncos lead 12-6. 

The try was a good reward for Johnson who kick-started their attack in the lead up with a strong, tackle busting kick-return. 

Halftime: The two sides head to the sheds with an even 6-6 scoreline. It was a bit of a scrappy start with both teams guilty of a few errors, but it soon became the high-quality game we were expecting between two teams in strong form. The Dragons got on the board first and looked on top for much of the game, only for some key moments late in the half, instigated by Broncos skipper Ali Brigginshaw, turning momentum the other way to help them on their way to a key try just before the break. Dragons had a slight advantage in possession 52 to 48 percent, but both sides will be looking to tidy up their completions, with the Dragons at 12/19 and the Broncos 12/17. 

34th min: An important try right before the break for the Broncos, with Julia Robinson finishing off a try that came down their right edge. Tamika Upton takes on the line before holding up a pass out left, going through hands out and then back in for Robinson to dive over and score. Brianna Clark, back from injury this week, slots the conversion for 6-6.

16th min: The Dragons are the first on board with Teagan Berry adding to her try scoring tally. The home side have made the most of their advantage in possession, pressuring the Broncos on their line. Normally one to strike from long range, this time Berry gets over close to the line to score. Raecene McGregor converts for an early 6-0 lead.

Kick off: The Dragons have the ball first at Wollongong as they aim to build on their win last week. 

Late Mail

Dragons: A few changes to the game day line up, with Nita Maynard-Perrin and Trinity Tauaneai promoted to start, in place of Zali Hopkins and Pia Tapsell, who shift to the bench. Alice Gregory is the new 18th player, making way on the wing for Jayme Millard to start. Earlier, Indie Bostock (finger) was ruled out on Saturday with Shenai Lendill shifting into the centres and Bronte Wilson coming back onto the bench in No.18. Charlotte Basham returns from a knee injury into the back row, triggering a forward pack reshuffle. 

Broncos: No changes on game day to the 1-18. Kiwi prop Brianna Clark has been named to make her return from an ankle injury and is right to start. Hooker Jada Ferguson is good to go after she was unable to finish the match against the Roosters with cramps. Lauren Dam shifts from the interchange to the second row to replace Tara McGrath-West, who injured her foot in last week's loss. Skyla Adams is the new face on the bench. Shalom Sauaso remains sidelined with a sternum injury. 

 

Eels v Knights at Eric Tweedale Stadium

Post-match

Eels

Knights

Full-time: The Knights run away with it in the end, posting a 30-6 victory. It was a tight opening to the second half as Elsie Albert went over to score a try for the Eels, but it was to be the only joy for the home side, with Newcastle's defence shutting down any further attacks. It was a good showing for Knights key trio Jesse Southwell, fullback Bo Vette Welsh and captain Yasmin Clydsdale, who was as reliable as ever. 

61st min: The visitors are on a roll now and Kayla Romaniuk gets another try for the Knights, latching onto a kick from Olivia Higgins from dummyhalf close to the line that was batted forward from the Eels into her waiting arms. Southwell slots it again for 30-6.

57th min: Another try to the Knights, with Sheridan Gallagher going over in the far right after a good long ball from Vette Welsh over the top after the Eels rushed inside to try and shut the play down. Southwell flawless again with the conversion attempt for a 24-6 lead. 

47th min: Knights skipper Yasmin Clydsdale puts her side further in front with a clever run at the line that involves a dummy and a spin after getting a late offload from Georgie Roche. Southwell slots another for an 18-6 lead. 

40th min: PNG Orchids captain Elsie Albert gets the first points for the Eels after crashing through under the posts, with the Bunker confirming she got the ball down despite plenty of attention from the Knights defenders. Heavily involved in the lead up with some big runs, the try is a good reward for the prop. Rachael Pearson converts and it's 12-6 to the Knights. 

Half-time: The visitors head to the sheds with a 12-0 lead in what has been a relatively even game so far. The Knights have the advantage thanks to their ability to attack from within their own half. The Eels have been gutsy in defence, but some individual misses have let the Knights off the hook. Newcastle were forced into some tough defence to end the half, but were able to withstand three repeated sets on their line to hold Parramatta scoreless in the first half. At the break, the Knights have had 52 percent of the possession with a 14/17 completion rate compared to 15/16 from the Eels. However, with four line breaks to none and 18 tackle breaks, the Knights lead the attacking stats. 

25th min: After some more back-and-forth play, the Knights again go on the attack and go further in front with centre Tenika Willison stepping her way through defenders to the line. Southwell converts again and it's 12-0. 

13th min: Impressive try from the Knights who go the length of the field. Fullback Bo Vette Welsh gets the play rolling with a quick run out of her 10, passing out left to speedy winger Tess Staines who does the rest, running 90 metres to score. Jesse Southwell converts and it's 6-0 to the Knights. 

10th min: Even start to the game, but the Eels have had to do more defence so far. However, they have done a good job early, holding up Tayla Predabon who charged over the line near the goal posts. Scores remain 0-0.

Kick off:  The home side have first use of the ball at Eric Tweedale Stadium to get the first of three NRLW games this Sunday off and running. 

Late Mail

Eels: No changes to the side that claimed victory over the Raiders last weekend, with the team 1-18 on game day. Mahalia Murphy will captain the side from the back row. Abbi Church lines up at fullback, while Martha Mataele and Zali Fay are on the wing. Boss Kapua remains at least another week away as she recovers from a knee injury.

Knights: No changes to the side that beat the Warriors last weekend, with the 1-18 unchanged for the match. Jesse Southwell and Georgia Roche will continue their combination in the halves while Olivia Higgins will start at hooker, with skipper Yasmin Clydsdale in the back row and Tess Staines, who scored a try in her club debut last week, on the wing.