NRLW Team of the Week: Round 4

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Mon 12 Sep 2022, 10:26 AM

Round four of the 2022 NRL Telstra Women's Premiership saw the Titans keep their finals dream alive, the Roosters all but secure the minor premiership and the Dragons confirm their place in the playoffs.

A couple of match-winners feature in the Team of the Week, alongside a handful of forwards who put in monster efforts for their respective sides over the weekend.

1. Evania Pelite (Titans)

It was a masterstroke from coach Karyn Murphy to move Pelite from centre to fullback, with the 27-year-old helping to kick the Titans' attack into gear with her influence from the back. Ran for 300 metres and broke 11 tackles.

2. Julia Robinson (Broncos)

The latest in a string of impressive showings this season. Scored her third try of the season and was heavily involved in the grunt work with 15 carries for 164 metres.

3. Isabelle Kelly (Roosters)

After a couple of quiet weeks by her standards, Kelly returned in a big way against the Knights. Set Jasmine Strange up for a try on debut with a well-timed pass in the opening minutes and worked tirelessly with ball in hand. Showed good hands and turn of pace to score an 80-metre try to get the Roosters out of jail late on.

4. Shenae Ciesiolka (Broncos)

Scored a brilliant solo effort in the second half and was Brisbane's most dynamic attacking player against the Dragons. Made three line breaks in total, set up another two and had a try assist.

Ciesiolka clicks into gear

5. Karina Brown (Titans)

Part of a much-improved Titans backline. Went looking for work, finishing with 170 run metres.

6. Zali Hopkins (Dragons)

What a way to mark your NRLW debut! A late inclusion to the starting side, Hopkins took on the bulk of the kicking duties and helped direct play well across the 72 minutes. Had plenty of traffic sent her way too, coming up with 24 tackles.

7. Rachael Pearson (Dragons)

The Dragons' match-winner had already enjoyed a solid game before her chance to nail a field goal in golden point presented itself, at which point she made no mistake. Her goal kicking was also crucial, kicking three from three to keep her side in the game despite Brisbane scoring more tries.

8. Millie Boyle (Knights)

Boyle dominant the middle of the field when she was on and finished with some huge numbers with ball in hand. Averaged over 10 metres per carry for a total of 203, with 100 of them coming after contact.

9. Quincy Dodd (Dragons)

Added plenty off the bench, including bamboozling the defence to stroll through a big gap for a first-half try. Set up another try as well and was difference-maker for the Dragons in a close game.

Dodd wheeling and dealing

10. Tara McGrath-West (Dragons)

Couldn't have squeezed much more into her 40 minutes on the park, and was singled out by coach Jamie Soward after the match as his side's best. No player had more than her 21 carries, and she used it to gain a game-high 230 metres.

11. Yasmin Clydsdale (Knights)

Exploded through a gap off a peach of a pass from Caitlin Moran in the second half, adding to an already impressive performance which included 11 carries for 137 metres.

Class from Clydsdale

12. Kezie Apps (Dragons)

Had the most important carry of the game in golden point, powering through the middle of the park to put her side in position to execute the game-winning field goal. Scored a try in the first half and ran for 166 metres in total.

13. Georgia Hale (Titans)

Was able to inject herself in attack more than her opening three games of the season and was typically busy in defence, making 39 tackles.

14. Jada Ferguson (Broncos)

Ended up having to play all but two minutes of the game after Lavinia Gould left the field early and failed to return. Held things together nicely around the ruck and made 33 tackles.

15. Simaima Taufa (Eels)

Continues to be a standout performer in a team without a win in 2022. Her individual effort to score a try in the second half got the Eels back into the contest, while she made a game-high 45 tackles and led her side in run metres with 173.

Taufa does it all herself

16. Keilee Joseph (Roosters)

Set the tone with a strong carry early, in which she broke the line. Had 183 run metres by the end of the game and was a constant source of trouble for the Knights.