Winless Roosters still in NRLW premiership hunt

Sydney Roosters coach Adam Hartigan hopes a re-jig in the halves will bring a flow of points for his side against the Dragons on Saturday night.

The Roosters didn't lift a finger on Friday night but their grand final prospects took an upward turn after the Broncos thrashed the Warriors 32-10.

Despite a disappointing fortnight for the Roosters after high expectations leading into the month-long competition, Brisbane's big win means Hartigan's team only need to beat the Dragons by three points to climb into second position.

St George Illawarra have a victory under their belt but the heavy round one loss to the Broncos has brought for-and-against differentials into play leading into the final game of the regular season.

Hartigan has made some changes in a bid to spark the side.

Key halves Maddie Studdon and Lavina O'Mealey have struggled to create opportunities in recent weeks with Isabelle Kelly the only player to break the line for tries.

Queensland five-eighth Zahara Temara will replace Studdon after a strong performance in the middle last week.

"We just struggle to find points, people might look at it that it's Maddie to blame but it's a team thing," Hartigan told NRL.com.

"I just thought when we brought Zahara down from Queensland, there was a style of footy we wanted to play but didn't get an opportunity to work on it through no trials.

"I know they've been disappointed. Round one was a shock for everyone and we knew we were in for a big one against the Broncos and improved a lot."

The Tricolours watched Brisbane's win over the Warriors following their final training session at Moore Park and are aware of the current situation on the NRLW ladder.

"God knows how but we're still in with a chance," Hartigan said.

"Hopefully the feeling of having the boys down on the sidelines for the end of the second half will help us get the win this week.

"Knowing Robbo [Trent Robinson] came down to training and just having their presence around, the girls can draw from it."

Hartigan confirmed Bathurst product Kandy Kennedy will make her NRLW debut after a long road back from an ACL injury.

The 22-year-old will join another debutant in Talent ID prodigy Brydie Parker in the line-up for the final round.

"It was emotional for Kandy, she couldn't get surgery for the first six and has worked hard to get back," Hartigan said.

"It's a good part of the job and the tough part follows to tell someone they're not going to be playing. It's hard to do and there's no nice way to deliver bad news."

The Dragons were dominant last week and Hartigan expected them to come out firing on Saturday.

"I think Daniel has coached them really well," he said.

"Everyone wrote them off really early which gives them a bit of determination to work hard and come together as a team. They play a simple style so if you're not on defensively it will be tough."