NRLW Team of the Week: Round 3
The third round of the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership saw the Titans remain undefeated, Wests Tigers handed their first loss and the Broncos recording their first win to kick-start their season.
A host of representative stars stood out in Round 3 to help their sides to victory while the Eels remain winless in a difficult start to their third season in the competition.
NRLW Team of the Week: Round 3
1. Evania Pelite (Titans)
Another all-round performance from the Dally M medal leader, including a hit-and-spin effort late in the game that helped the Titans snatch victory and keep their unbeaten start to the year. Pelite ended the game with eight tackle busts and 189 metres.
2. Jayme Fressard (Roosters)
Proved a nuisance for the Dragons on the right edge with a try, 12 tackle busts and 139 metres in a good response for Fressard after she was victim of a biting incident in Round 2.
3. Mele Hufanga (Broncos)
A powerhouse performance from the Kiwi Ferns representative, who after three weeks in the competition really found her feet with an NRLW record-equalling four tries to go with 180 metres, five linebreaks and 14 tackle busts.
Devastating Hufanga scores four
4. Isabelle Kelly (Roosters)
A captain's knock from the Jillaroos representative to help her side bounce back after last week's shock loss to the Raiders. Kelly crossed the line twice, ran for 208 metres and topped the side and broke through 11 tackles.
5. Sheridan Gallagher (Knights)
The gift that keeps on giving. In a month that the FIFA World Cup has taken the world by storm, the former Young Matildas captain is making her switch to rugby league look like ease. Another 200 metres and three linebreaks for her to go with a try and four tackle busts on Sunday.
6. Tarryn Aiken (Roosters)
The Jillaroos five-eighth was at her dominant best for the Tricolours with a try, two assists and 17 carries as the Roosters orchestrated a big win against the Dragons.
7. Ash Quinlan (Raiders)
The former Eel has settled into the Green Machine halves alongside Zahara Temara nicely. The pair crossed for the side's first try of the afternoon before Quinlan set up two crucial tries for the Raiders in the second half off two short balls.
8. Chelsea Lenarduzzi (Broncos)
A strong 35-minute stint from the former representative forward with 154 metres, four offloads, five tackle busts and 18 tackles off the bench.
9. Destiny Brill (Broncos)
The Maroons hooker was at her best before failing a head injury assessment midway through the second half. She broke the Cowboys defensive line early before running for 90 metres from eight carries with three tackle busts and 23 tackles.
10. Sarah Togatuki (Wests Tigers)
A workhorse performance from the NSW representative with 220 metres from 17 carries providing the platform in a 60-minute stint at GIO Stadium. Togatuki's afternoon included 24 tackles in a beaten side.
Pasikala packs a punch
11. Amelia Pasikala (Roosters)
A debut to remember for the rookie Kiwi who caused the Dragons in her maiden game. Pasikela went close to scoring a try in a run that left many in her wake. She finished the game with 11 tackle busts, 80 metres and 21 tackles.
12. Yasmin Clydsdale (Knights)
Classy performance from the Jillaroos back-rower who crossed for a try and set up another before running for 134 metres and churning out 25 tackles in the victory over Parramatta.
13. Simaima Taufa (Raiders)
Backed up her efforts last week with another dominant display against the Wests Tigers before getting a well-earned break late. Taufa ran for 105 post-contact metres
14. Gayle Broughton (Broncos)
Has settled into the halves in recent weeks and came up with a couple of try assists to help the side pummel the Cowboys in Townsville. Her partnership with Hayley Maddick and Mele Hufanga proved a handful out wide in a sign of things to come.
The top 10 NRLW plays from Round 3, 2023
15. Jess Elliston (Titans)
Got through another week of tough stuff for her side, this time 150 metres up front and 25 tackles (100% efficiency) in a middle display that helped the Titans to victory particularly in the second half.
16. Kayla Romaniuk (Knights)
Played a middle role for the defending premiers and got through a mountain of work off the bench that included a game-high 31 tackles, 145 metres, one offload and a try.
17. Alexis Tauaneai (Dragons)
In a team that got beat 30-0, the young Dragons rookie can hold her head high on a personal note. The teenage forward racked up 189 metres from 20 carries with four offloads and 34 tackles - missing just one in a team that missed 66 in total.
