The Raiders and Eels meeting for the first time in Canberra on Sunday for Round 5 of the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership with plenty at stake at the halfway point of the season.
The Green Machine are looking to make it four in a row and maintain their spot in the top two while Parramatta are searching for their first win this year after an 0-4 start.
Darrin Borthwick's side will be expected to win, which is fairly new territory for the Raiders, but also crucial they do with clashes against the Broncos, Knights and Titans to follow.
The Eels produced a solid performance against the Broncos but couldn't get over the line enough to threaten their opponents' lead in Brisbane.
Dean Widders knows all too well about going winless in the first month after doing so last season before surging to the NRLW grand final with the blue and gold now at desperate stages to get their campaign back on track.
Match: Raiders v Eels
Round 5 -
home Team
Raiders
3rd Position
away Team
Eels
10th Position
Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Team news
Raiders: No late changes for the home side after Hollie-Mae Dodd dropped out of the side on Saturday with Monalisa Soliola promoted to start in the back row and Ahlivia Ingram joining the bench. Elise Smith will make her NRLW debut in the back row which shifts Kerehitina Matua to the bench and Tara Reinke out of the 17. The Green Machine are chasing four wins on the trot.
Eels: A late change on game day with Nakia Davis-Welsh ruled out and Taneka Todhunter promoted to the interchange bench. Meanwhile, Kyra Simon dropped out on Saturday with Tyla Amiatu starting at lock and Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis added to the bench. Elsie Albert (calf) is out after reaggravating a leg injury with Madeline Jones stepping into the starting role at prop. Rosemarie Beckett, who picked up a head knock a fortnight, was listed in the reserves but was omitted on Saturday.
Match: Raiders v Eels
Round 5 -
home Team
Raiders
away Team
Eels
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Apii NichollsFullback for Eels is number 1 Abbi Church
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Madison BartlettWinger for Eels is number 2 Zali Fay
-
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Cheyelle Robins-RetiCentre for Eels is number 3 Kimberley Hunt
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Alanna DummettCentre for Eels is number 4 Cassey Tohi-Hiku
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Shakiah TungaiWinger for Eels is number 5 Monique Donovan
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Zahara TemaraFive-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Pihuka Berryman-Duff
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Ashleigh QuinlanHalfback for Eels is number 7 Rachael Pearson
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 8 Tommaya Kelly-SinesProp for Eels is number 8 Talesha O'Neill
-
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Chanté TemaraHooker for Eels is number 9 Rueben Cherrington
-
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Sophie HolymanProp for Eels is number 10 Madeline Jones
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Elise Smith2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Amelia Mafi
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 17 Monalisa Soliola2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Mahalia Murphy
-
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Simaima TaufaLock for Eels is number 15 Tyla Amiatu
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Ua RavuInterchange for Eels is number 14 Capri Paekau
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Grace KempInterchange for Eels is number 16 Shannon Muru
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Kerehitina MatuaInterchange for Eels is number 18 Taneka Todhunter
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 19 Ahlivia IngramInterchange for Eels is number 19 Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis
Reserves
-
Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Petesa LioReplacement for Eels is number 21 Lindsay Tui
Match Officials
- Referee: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Wyatt Raymond
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- There are three former Eels in the Raiders line-up - former captain Simaima Taufa, halfback Ash Quinlan and prop Tommaya Kelly-Sines.
- The Raiders are chasing four-straight wins for the first time in club history.
- The Eels have never lost five games in a row in a season.
- The Eels have won only four games from 21 in NRLW history.
