A blockbuster battle in the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership awaits with competition leaders Brisbane to face off against St George Illawarra in a top of the table clash at CommBank Stadium.
The Dragons were gutsy in torrential conditions against the Eels last week while the Broncos were too good to beat Newcastle and make it two from two.
St George Illawarra have never beaten the Broncos in the NRLW but Jamie Soward's side have found form to start the competition and are well-primed to take on the three-time champions.
Brisbane haven't been at their best despite wins in the past fortnight and will no doubt be out to prove who remains the No.1 team in the NRLW.
Match: Dragons v Broncos
Round 3 -
home Team
Dragons
2nd Position
away Team
Broncos
1st Position
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
The Rundown
Team news
Dragons: Jaime Chapman returns from injury but Talei Holmes and Kezie Apps were ruled out in the 24-hour submission after initially being named to make their comebacks, forcing a reshuffle of the pack. Madison Bartlett was named but will be sidelined for the clash after picking up a one-game suspension from the judiciary. Keele Browne will start on the wing in Bartlett's place while Aliti Namoce will again take the place of Apps in the middle.
Broncos: Wellington product Toni Hunt, a utility outside back, will make her NRLW debut off the bench, in place of veteran Lavinia Gould. Forward Kaitlyn Phillips was included on the bench after picking up a knee injury last week but scratched in the 24-hour list with China Polata into the 17. In a late positional switch, Hayley Maddick will start at lock with Sara Sautia shifting to the bench.
Match: Dragons v Broncos
Round 3 -
home Team
Dragons
away Team
Broncos
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Emma TonegatoFullback for Broncos is number 1 Tamika Upton
-
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Teagan BerryWinger for Broncos is number 2 Hagiga Mosby
-
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Jaime ChapmanCentre for Broncos is number 3 Amy Turner
-
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Page McGregorCentre for Broncos is number 4 Shenae Ciesiolka
-
Winger for Dragons is number 19 Keele BrowneWinger for Broncos is number 5 Emily Bass
-
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Taliah FuimaonoFive-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Tarryn Aiken
-
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Rachael PearsonHalfback for Broncos is number 7 Ali Brigginshaw
Forwards
-
Prop for Dragons is number 8 Elsie AlbertProp for Broncos is number 8 Millie Elliott
-
Hooker for Dragons is number 14 Quincy DoddHooker for Broncos is number 9 Lauren Brown
-
Prop for Dragons is number 21 Aliti NamoceProp for Broncos is number 10 Chelsea Lenarduzzi
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Shaylee Bent2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Tallisha Harden
-
2nd Row for Dragons is number 13 Holli Wheeler2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Amber Hall
-
Lock for Dragons is number 9 Keeley DavisLock for Broncos is number 14 Hayley Maddick
Interchange
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Renee TargettInterchange for Broncos is number 13 Sara Sautia
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Tegan DymockInterchange for Broncos is number 16 Roxy Murdoch
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Janelle WilliamsInterchange for Broncos is number 17 Toni Hunt
-
Interchange for Dragons is number 20 Chantel TugagaInterchange for Broncos is number 18 Jada Ferguson
Reserves
-
Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Shellie LongReplacement for Broncos is number 20 China Polata
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Alan Shortall
Last updated:
Key match-up
Elsie Albert v Millie Boyle: Two international stars go head-to-head on Sunday in a middle battle to saviour at CommBank Stadium. Albert and Boyle were the form props in round two with the pair dominating the engine room. Boyle has a whopping 141 post contact metres in two games while Albert isn't too far behind with 108.
Stat attack
The Broncos are enjoying an average of 56 percent possession to start the season with opponents struggling to hold the ball against the defending champions. St George Illawarra are the only other team with more than 50 percent average while they rank second behind the Broncos in other key statistical areas.
