NRLW Team of the Week: Round 9
The final round of the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership wrapped up on Sunday with four teams left to challenge for the title.
With the top four teams locked in there were plenty of standout performances while the Sharks blew away the Eels in a record-breaking effort to finish their campaign.
NRLW Team of the Week: Round 9
1. Evania Pelite (Titans)
In a must-win game, the power of Pelite stepped up with an early try to go with 191 metres and six tackle busts. A try-saving effort also showed her class in a match that had finals effort by the Titans written all over it. The Jillaroos star earned a well-deserved breather at the death with the match tied up.
2. Jakiya Whitfeld (Wests Tigers)
An impressive 10 tackle busts - including most in one carry against Newcastle - and 207 metres plus a try-saving effort running down Abigail Roache, delivered an impressive performance for Whitfeld against her former club. A rugby sevens talent who is in her second season, Whitfeld is set to go from strength-to-strength in 2024.
Evania Pelite is all class
3. Mele Hufanga (Broncos)
Can anyone stop the Kiwi Ferns powerhouse? Took a while to get started this year like the rest of her Broncos teammates but now has 10 tries in nine appearances. Her ability to start moving around the middle of the ruck in the second half hasn't gone unnoticed with most of her 10 tackle busts coming through the middle on Saturday night.
4. Annessa Biddle (Sharks)
A rookie of the year contender and a decent one at that. The Kiwi Ferns should have a contract ready for Biddle to sign after a remarkable season for the Sharks that ended with a player of the match performance against the Eels - two tries, four linebreaks, 10 tackle busts and 242 metres.
5. Julia Robinson (Broncos)
The Jillaroos winger didn't look like her hamstring remained an issue as she sprinted away 90 metres down the field for her second try while her seven tackle busts shows just how elusive she is running the ball back into the defence.
6. Tarryn Aiken (Roosters)
A copy-paste performance from Aiken and another inclusion in team of the week honours. Two tries, 14 runs and four linebreak assists is just another day out for the Jillaroos five-eighth.
7. Tayla Preston (Sharks)
A record-breaking day for the Sharks and the halfback benefited the most with a personal points haul of 20 for the day - a record - which included a try and eight conversions. It didn't stop there with two try assists and six tackle busts plus an offload and nine tackles.
Robinson continues Broncos doubles rampage
8. Caitlan Johnston (Knights)
A commanding performance in the middle from the Knights enforcer who has found a nice balance of aggression and consistency in recent weeks. Led from the front with 14 carries (156 metres) and added 26 tackles to her tally.
9. Destiny Brill (Broncos)
A whopping four linebreaks against the Dragons, one of which led to an easy try, has Brill humming at dummy half and around the middle of the ruck. Brill racked up 137 metres from her 10 carries with 12 tackle busts and three offloads.
10. Ellie Johnston (Sharks)
A two-try effort takes Johnston's tally to six tries in nine games for the club in a remarkable season from the front-rower, who was one of the Sharks' most consistent players in 2023. Johnston finished off her campaign with a nice pass out for Georgia Ravics and was defensively sound with 11 tackles at 100% efficiency.
Ellie Johnston can do it all!
11. Yasmin Clydsdale (Knights)
The most consistent left edge back-rower in the game. Runs the perfect line with her combination with Tamika Upton once again on show against Wests Tigers on Thursday night. Finished the match with 160 metres, 29 tackles and an offload.
12. Otesa Pule (Roosters)
The Kiwi Ferns forward is benefitting most from Tarryn Aiken's arrival on the left edge with another try to add to her tally plus 10 tackle busts, two linebreaks and 13 tackles in a dominant performance.
13. Holli Wheeler (Sharks)
The veteran World Cup forward has made up for lost time in recent weeks on a personal note after missing the start of the season due to a knee injury. Wheeler's game against the Eels on Sunday was her best effort for the 2023 campaign - 16 runs (158 metres) with three offloads and 18 tackles.
14. Shannon Mato (Titans)
The form forward of the competition that just keeps on getting her team on the front foot. Opened the scoring early for the visitors before providing a platform that ran through the Raiders. Finished with 154 metres, two tackle busts, two offloads and 15 tackles.
15. Isabelle Kelly (Roosters)
Another clinical effort from the Tricolours captain with a try, 217 running metres and two try assists, two offloads and eight tackle busts. Pipped only by the efforts of Mele Hufanga and Annessa Biddle in the starting line-up.
Roache races away
16. Shaylee Bent (Titans)
A special effort from Bent on Sunday with a try, 128 metres and nine tackle busts against a club that was chasing her to be part of their inaugural campaign. The Jillaroos forward will take plenty of confidence going into the semi-finals clash against the Roosters.
17. Abigail Roache (Knights)
Came up with two special tries for the Knights, including a long-range effort where she linked with Tamika Upton from a scrum. Then made up for a couple of errors with a crucial intercept that led to Upton sending Yasmin Clydsdale over the line to clinch the maiden minor premiership for the club.
