Reigning Dally M medallist Brittany Breayley will join her new St George Illawarra Dragons teammates in lining up against defending premiers Brisbane Broncos in round one of the NRL Holden Women's Premiership.
The NRL confirmed on Sunday night the Storm-Raiders and Eels-Broncos clashes in week one of the men's finals series would act as double headers to the women's competition.
Breayley, who left the premiership-winning Broncos this season along with Teuila Fotu-Moala, Maitua Feterika, Kimiora Nati and Ngatokotoru Arakua, will come up against her former side at Bankwest Stadium.
Broncos recruits and internationals Annette Brander and Raecene McGregor will also take on their former side the Dragons.
Sydney Roosters and the New Zealand Warriors will travel to Melbourne's AAMI Park for Saturday night's clash.
The confirmation means that the Warriors will host St George Illawarra at Mt Smart Stadium as a standalone fixture in round two, while the Roosters and Dragons will play at Leichhardt Oval on September 29.
The NRLW Grand Final will be played before the Telstra Premiership grand final on October 6 at ANZ Stadium.
NRL General Manager of Women’s Elite Program Tiffany Slater said the combination of new venues and standalone matches made for a brilliant second season of the Women’s Premiership.
“The Holden Women’s Premiership and the incredible women who take play are truly incomparable,” Ms Slater said.
“It’s wonderful to see matches being played in new markets as we continue to expand the footprint and number of females supporting, playing and watching rugby league,” Ms Slater said.
“The standalone fixtures at both Mt Smart in Auckland and Leichhardt Oval in Sydney are a natural evolution for the growth of the game and ensure the game’s very best women and their fans are given their own platform to showcase their talents.
“The pathway to the NRLW is getting stronger; the amazing athletes more skillfull and driven than ever before; and that is why I have no doubt season 2019 will be one to remember.
Tickets for the double-header fixtures with the Telstra Premiership Final Series will be on sale to Ticketed Club Members at 10am on Monday (September 9), while general public tickets go on sale at 10am on Tuesday (September 10) via www.nrl.com/tickets.
Tickets are on-sale now for the two historic standalone fixtures from NRL.com/tickets, with free entry for kids under 15 and adults tickets just $10.
More fans than ever before will have the ability to watch NRLW games with an increased number of NRLW matches being be broadcast live on primary channel coverage (NINE) across the competition in 2019.
All matches of the NRL Holden Women’s Premiership 2019 will be broadcast live on the Nine Network (NINE/GEM), Fox League, SKY NZ and on NRL Live Pass.
2019 NRL HOLDEN WOMEN’S PREMIERSHIP SCHEDULE
Round 1
Saturday 14 September, 3:05pm AEST
Sydney Roosters vs. New Zealand Warriors, AAMI Park
Live on Nine (NSW/Qld); GEM (all other states), Live on Fox League, Live on Sky NZ
Sunday 15 September, 2:05pm AEST
St-George-Illawarra Dragons vs. Brisbane Broncos, Bankwest Stadium
Live on GEM (national), Live on Fox Sports, Live on Sky NZ
Round 2
Saturday 21 September, 5:05pm AEST
Brisbane Broncos vs. Sydney Roosters, VENUE TBC
Live on GEM (national), Live on Fox Sports, Live on Sky NZ
*Sunday 22 September, 1:15pm AEST/3:15pm NZT
New Zealand Warriors v St-George-Illawarra Dragons , Mt Smart Stadium
Live on Nine (NSW/Qld); GEM (all other states), Live on Fox League, Live on Sky NZ
Round 3
Saturday 28 September, 5:05pm AEST
Brisbane Broncos v New Zealand Warriors, VENUE TBC
Live on GEM (national), Live on Fox Sports, Live on Sky NZ
*Sunday 29 September, 1:15pm AEST
St George Illawarra Dragons v Sydney Roosters, Leichhardt Oval
Live on Nine (NSW/Qld); GEM (all other states), Live on Fox League, Live on Sky NZ
NRL Holden Women’s Premiership Grand Final
Sunday 6 October, ANZ Stadium
Live on Nine (NSW/Qld); GEM (all other states), Live on Fox League, Live on Sky NZ
* Denotes standalone NRLW match
