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The NRLW season is set to launch with a bang when the Cronulla Sharks host Parramatta in a Thursday night showdown. 

Cronulla enter the campaign desperate to avenge last year's grand final defeat to the Roosters and they're eager to make a winning start to their season. 

Tiana Penitani Gray is set to line up in the centres with the Sharks looking to play an entertaining attacking style. 

Parramatta came agonisingly close to a finals appearance last season and will be looking to make an early statement on Thursday night. 

Fullback Abbi Church is set to hit the ground running after making her State of Origin debut during the Blues' series win and shapes as a key figure in the Eels attack.

Team News

Sharks: The Sharks are 1-17 with no late changes. NSW star Emma Verran lines up at fullback as she returns from a procedure to remove a melanoma in her back. Tiana Penitani Gray and young gun Annessa Biddle will start in the centres, with Georgia Hannaway partnering with former Titan Chantay Kiria-Ratu in the halves. Forward Jaydika Tafua makes her NRLW debut from the bench. Grace Lee-Weekes is 18th player.

Eels: Tess McWilliams has come into the starting side an hour before kick-off with Breanna Eales dropping out due to injury. Mahalia Murphy was named in the reserves on Tuesday as she recovers from a hamstring injury but dropped out of the squad in the 24-hour update as the Eels take a cautious approach with the skipper's return. She is targeting the Round 3 clash against the Raiders for a comeback. NSW star Kennedy Cherrington will also miss the clash with a knee injury. Rachael Pearson and Cassey Tohi-Hiku are set to link up in the halves for the season opener, with Abbi Church to line up at fullback. 

Team Lists

Backs

  • Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Emma Verran
    Fullback for Eels is number 1 Abbi Church
  • Winger for Sharks is number 2 Cassie Staples
    Winger for Eels is number 2 Zali Fay
  • Centre for Sharks is number 3 Tiana Penitani Gray
    Centre for Eels is number 3 Rory Owen
  • Centre for Sharks is number 4 Annessa Biddle
    Centre for Eels is number 4 Lindsay Tui
  • Winger for Sharks is number 5 Georgia Ravics
    Winger for Eels is number 5 Martha Mataele
  • Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Georgia Hannaway
    Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Cassey Tohi-Hiku
  • Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Chantay Kiria-Ratu
    Halfback for Eels is number 7 Rachael Pearson

Forwards

  • Prop for Sharks is number 8 Ellie Johnston
    Prop for Eels is number 8 Elsie Albert
  • Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Quincy Dodd
    Hooker for Eels is number 9 Rueben Cherrington
  • Prop for Sharks is number 10 Jacinta Carter
    Prop for Eels is number 19 Tess McWilliams
  • 2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Talei Holmes
    2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Chloe Jackson
  • 2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Rhiannon Byers
    2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Paige Travis
  • Lock for Sharks is number 13 Brooke Anderson
    Lock for Eels is number 13 Ryvrr-Lee Alo

Interchange

  • Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Nakia Davis-Welsh
    Interchange for Eels is number 14 Taneka Todhunter
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Jaydika Tafua
    Interchange for Eels is number 15 Rysh'e Fa'amausili
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Manilita Takapautolo
    Interchange for Eels is number 16 Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis
  • Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Filomina Hanisi
    Interchange for Eels is number 17 Fleur Ginn

Reserves

  • Replacement for Sharks is number 19 Grace-Lee Weekes
    Replacement for Eels is number 18 Mia Middleton

Match Officials

  • Referee: Belinda Sharpe
  • Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated:

Stat Attack

  • The Sharks have won both games against the Eels (2023 and 2024).
  • The Eels won four of their five away games in 2024.
  • Sharks prop Ellie Johnston has scored three tries in two games against the Eels.

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