NRLW 2025, Round 1, Canberra Raiders, St George Illawarra Dragons, match preview, official team lists, injuries, updates

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Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 5 Jul 2025, 02:18 PM

A Raiders team with a new-look to the squad host St George Illawarra, with the visitors out to impress their new coach.

Former Queensland Maroons assistant coach Nathan Cross has taken over the reins as coach, with former Jillaroos star Sam Bremner the club's new Female Football Manager.

With Zali Hopkins joining Raecene McGregor as co-captain, the Dragons have a blend of youth and experience and will be hoping to get off to a good start against a Raiders side boasting plenty of representative stars including their leaders Simaina Taufa and Zahara Temara.

Round 18 - Saturday 5th July

Full Time

Raiders

Dragons

Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra

Highlights Latest

Team News

Raiders: The off-season departure of Apii Nicholls has opened the door for Cheyelle Robins-Reti to shift to fullback, with Mackenzie Wiki and Leianne Tufuga to start in the centres. Former Australian OzTag representative Georgia Thomas is set to make her NRLW debut, with the 27-year-old to line up at five-eighth alongside halfback Zahara Temara. Co-captain Simaima Taufa will start at lock with prop Grace Kemp looking to make an impact off the bench.

Dragons: Indie Bostock will make her NRLW debut after being a late replacement in the centres, with Keele Brown shifting to the wing and Alice Gregory dropping out. NSW U19s team-mate Kasey Reh will partner with Golden Boot and Dally M winner Raecene McGregor in the halves as the Dragons look to get their season started with a win. Zali Hopkins will start at hooker, with new recruit Nita Maynard to make an impact off the bench in her first game for the club. Try-scoring talent Teagan Berry has been named at fullback. Former Knight Hannah Southwell is set to add crucial experience to the pack and will start at lock. The Dragons also remain 1-17, with Bronte Wilson 18th player.

Raiders v Dragons

Round 18 - Saturday 5th July

Full Time

Raiders

Dragons

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Kaeo Weekes

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Clinton Gutherson
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Jed Stuart

Winger for Dragons is number 2 Sione Finau
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Matthew Timoko

Centre for Dragons is number 3 Moses Suli
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Sebastian Kris

Centre for Dragons is number 4 Corey Allan
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Xavier Savage

Winger for Dragons is number 5 Tyrell Sloan
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Ethan Strange

Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Lyhkan King-Togia
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Jamal Fogarty

Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Kyle Flanagan

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Corey Horsburgh

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Emre Guler
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Tom Starling

Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Damien Cook
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Joseph Tapine

Prop for Dragons is number 10 David Klemmer
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Simi Sasagi

2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Jaydn Su'A
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Zac Hosking

2nd Row for Dragons is number 17 Michael Molo
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Morgan Smithies

Lock for Dragons is number 13 Jack De Belin

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Owen Pattie

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Jacob Liddle
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Noah Martin

Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Loko Pasifiki Tonga
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Trey Mooney

Interchange for Dragons is number 18 Blake Lawrie
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Ata Mariota

Interchange for Dragons is number 19 Viliami Fifita

Reserves

Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Chevy Stewart

Replacement for Dragons is number 20 Nick Tsougranis

Match Officials

Referee: Gerard Sutton
Touch Judge: Dave Munro
Senior Review Official: Ashley Klein

Last updated: 01:54 am Monday 7th July 2025

Stat Attack

The Raiders have won both games against the Dragons (2023 and 2024).
Dragons fullback Teagan Berry requires one try to become the first player to score 30 NRLW tries.
Raiders winger Madison Bartlett has scored 12 tries in her past 12 NRLW games.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.