NRLW Team of the Week: Round 1

The opening round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Women's Premiership saw the Roosters and Dragons open their accounts while the Knights recorded their first-ever NRLW victory with a big win over the Broncos.

• Chemist Warehouse NRLW Casualty Ward
• NRLW Round 1 Wrap-up

Familiar names took out the team of the week honours with a couple of players unfortunate to not make the final cut after a weekend of standout performances.

Here is the NRLW Team of the week for Round 1.

1. Sam Bremner (Roosters)

Welcome back, Sammy B! After missing the past two NRLW seasons to give birth to two children, Bremner made a classy return to the field with her new club and didn't disappoint at fullback. The 30-year-old produced three try assists, made 11 tackle busts and recorded 171 metres as the Roosters piled on the points against the Eels.

2. Teagan Berry (Dragons)

A third career double in just nine games for the winger known as "Flash", who now takes her try-scoring tally to seven in the NRLW. Berry's switch to the left edge this season has already paid dividends with the Dragons winger on the end of a Taliah Fuimaono pass before intercepting a ball to race 70 metres for her second.

3. Isabelle Kelly (Roosters)

A captain's knock to kick off a new era under her leadership at the Roosters. Kelly had two tries and an assist inside 13 minutes of the side's win over the Eels while she churned out 10 tackle busts and 170 running metres in a contribution that set the Tricolours up for victory. 

4. Page McGregor (Dragons)

Another underrated performance from the Dragons centre to kick off the 2022 season with the Kiwi Fern crossing for a try, getting through some work with nine carries and being defensively sound on the edge with 16 tackles at 100% efficiency.

5. Julia Robinson (Broncos)

After a classy response earlier in the week to hit back at trolls who targeted her on social media, Robinson backed it up with a strong performance for the Broncos in a beaten side in Newcastle on Sunday night. A second career double to go with 126 metres and seven tackle busts kept the Knights on their toes throughout the contest.

6. Taliah Fuimaono (Dragons)

After a broken collarbone ruled her out of potential Origin selection in June, Fuimaono made a triumphant return for the Red V to set up two tries in their comfortable win over the Titans. After averaging just 41 kick metres per game in the 2021 season earlier this year, the 23-year-old also doubled that average in the opening round to signal her intentions of improving on her kicking game this season.

7. Jesse Southwell (Knights)

A memorable debut for the 17-year-old, who showed why the Knights pushed so hard for her to get an age exemption to join the competition this season. An individual piece of brilliance to get the Knights on the board early was backed up with another solo effort to help get the side their third try of the evening. 

8. Millie Boyle (Knights)

A cool and calm 168 running metres from 19 carries on club debut for the NSW and Jillaroos prop, who had the Knights faithful applauding as she ran on and off the field throughout the night. Boyle set the tone in the middle before busting down the field late in the game. Her combination with Caitlan Johnston in the middle has put the rest of the competition on notice fast.

9. Keeley Davis (Dragons)

A solid performance from the Dragons hooker who was tidy in the middle with 18 tackles and constantly had her forward pack on the front foot. Her move to a ball-playing role when Quincy Dodd was evident when she sent Page McGregor over on the left edge with a deft cut-out pass to seal the game.

10. Steph Hancock (Titans)

A shining light for the lacklustre Titans with another two tries taking her to the all-time leading try-scorer at the club. Hancock came off the bench for a 27-minute stint in a late switch for the side and despite an error she churned out 80 minutes with five tackle busts to go with her four-pointers.

11. Shaniah Power (Roosters)

An impressive first club game for the former Titans forward, who moved to the Tricolours for a starting spot and didn't look out of place. Power crossed for a second half try and overall made 133 running metres with seven tackle busts.

12. Keilee Joseph (Roosters)

Whether she's on the edge or in the middle, Joseph relished the opportunity to start for the first time in her NRLW career following the departure of Hannah Southwell to Newcastle. The Indigenous All Star got through a mountain of work, which included 24 tackles and 148 running metres.

13. Simaima Taufa (Eels)

A typical workhorse performance from the Eels co-captain, who recorded a competition-high 51 tackles while also scoring a try and running for 133 metres in the heavy loss to the Roosters.

14. Kennedy Cherrington (Eels)

Another Eel who brought the energy to the side once she got onto the field. Parramatta managed to hit the lead in the second half while Cherrington was on the field with the energetic forward doing all she could to inspire her teammates. She finished with 122 metres and 21 tackles.

15. Tallisha Harden (Broncos)

Played in her new role as lock forward at the club and got through 63 minutes, churning out 115 metres with two line breaks and 26 tackles. Looked dangerous with every touch of the ball in a positive for the Broncos, who start their campaign in unfamiliar territory with a loss.

16. Holli Wheeler (Dragons) 

Another middle forward who starred on the weekend with the Dragons No.13 running for 137 metres and producing 21 tackles in the big win over the Titans. 

17. Emma Tonegato (Dragons)

A team of the week wouldn't be complete without the 2021 Dally M medal winner with Emma Tonegato picking up where she left off in April to score a try, set up another and record 174 metres, eight tackle busts and two offloads to ensure the Dragons recorded a first up win in round one.