Chooks get cooking
Some great defence at either end before the Roosters finally open their account.
A fine kick over the top from Rae McGregor, that was pinpoint, and Leianne Tufuga flies through to nab that one in the corner. Temara with a lovely strike from out wide, curls it back inside the upright and it’s even stevens after 24 minutes.
Roosters 6 Dragons 6
A slice of history for Soliola
Hang it in the Louvre! Dragons score first
Big up and in by Roosters skipper Isabelle Kelly shuts down Emma Tonegato as Dragons look likely.
Sammy Bremner getting cleaned up for a bloody nose by the trainer. And moments later 18-year-old Monalisa Soliola – all smiles as she powers over from a left-edge shift. Takes two defenders with her as she bags first points. Rachael Pearson with a clutch conversion from out wide too.
Roosters 0 Dragons 6
GF re-match begins with an arm wrestle
Dragons enjoying the better of the early exchanges thanks to a few errors from the Chooks. The Roosters looked good with their first attacking foray but no way through. Tense stuff between the two best credentialed sides so far in 2022.
Roosters 0 Dragons 0
We’re under way
A bit of history made here at Allianz with the women’s match under way and Kezie Apps almost barging her way over in the first few minutes.
Dragons with first attacking raid and looking very good in the process, Tonegato threatening but Jayme Fressard solid under the high ball.
Roosters 0 Dragons 0
Final preparations are run and done
NRLW makes history at the new stadium
“It’s a massive change, it’s a massive part of history for the women’s game. It just goes to show how far it’s come – and it’s going to continue to grow.
“Girls one day will be able to play at stadiums like this all the time.“
Isabelle Kelly on exactly what it means to open Allianz Stadium – FULL STORY HERE
‘Popped off the bone’: Meet the NRLW’s ‘Mad Dog’
Some real characters getting around in the women’s game – none better than Roosters winger Jayme Fressard, she’s an absolute cracker and has overcome plenty to be here tonight.
Not least – popping her quadricep clean off the bone, but still completing her legs session in the gym. Then an ACL tear that was doubled down with a brutal ankle injury – inflicted by the family pets.
Full story HERE, and great snaps earlier in the week from Steven Siewart.
Jayme ‘Mad Dog’ Fressard.Credit:Steven Siewert
Women’s teams are in
The Roosters are per program for this grand final re-match, the Dragons have a debutante in Cassie Staples – Commonwealth Games 2018 silver medallist out of the Aussie Sevens program. She comes in on the wing for Andie Robinson.
Fun fact, she was first recruited into the Sevens program after being spotted deadlifting 130kg on Youtube.
The fantastically named Monalisa Soliola (cousin of Sia) also starts up front for Tegan Dymock (that’s the daughter of Jim), while Chanel Tugaga and Renee Targett come onto the bench for the visitors.
Welcome one, welcome all
Good evening and welcome to our live coverage of tonight’s NRLW, NRL and whatever takes our fancy at the fancy new Allianz Stadium.
Tonight’s run sheet:
NRLW: Roosters v Dragons from 5:40pm
NRL: Bulldogs v Sea Eagles from 6pm
NRL: Roosters v Rabbitohs from 7.55pm
Gates are open here at Moore Park, parking’s filling up, punters are streaming in and so far the rain is staying away. Let’s go
