Gold Coast Titans will travel to the Central Coast as part of an NRLW triple-header on Sunday knowing a victory over the Roosters could book a finals berth next week.
The Titans were the most disappointing side for the opening three weeks of the NRLW season but found some form last week to hold on and beat the Eels in Melbourne.
Brisbane's one-point loss to the Dragons means the Titans can still jag fourth spot if they're able to beat the Roosters, or even still, can get into the finals when points differential comes into play at the end of the round.
The Titans will have some idea where they stand following the Broncos' clash against the Eels first-up with the winner of that match likely to be the only team standing in their way.
Both the Titans and Roosters have met on just one occasion with the Titans beating the Tricolours 26-16 in March.
However, the Roosters have been the form team of the NRLW since and will have two former Titans in their line-up after Destiny Brill and Shaniah Power made the switch in the off-season.
Match: Titans v Roosters
Round 5 -
home Team
Titans
6th Position
away Team
Roosters
1st Position
Venue: Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
The Rundown
Team news
Titans: The only change to the squad named on Tuesday sees April Ngatupuna out and Kiwi Fern Roxy Murdoch in on the bench. Karyn Murphy has stuck with the squad who got the job done against the Eels last week with Evania Pelite remaining at fullback and Apii Nicholls staying in the centres.
Roosters: No late changes an hour out from kickoff, but the defending premiers made plenty earlier in the week. Raecene McGregor is out, with Jocelyn Kelleher to start alongside Zahara Temara in the halves. Sam Economos is the new face on the bench. Teenage young gun Jada Taylor will make her NRLW debut with regular No.1 Sam Bremner rested for the clash. Taylor will be joined by another debutante, Central Coast Roosters teammate Shannon Rose, in the backline with Jasmin Strange dropping to the reserves. North Sydney product Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa will also play her first NRLW match.
Match: Titans v Roosters
Round 5 -
home Team
Titans
6th Position
away Team
Roosters
1st Position
Venue: Industree Group Stadium, Gosford
Key match-up
Evania Pelite v Jada Taylor: The Titans fullback racked up a record-breaking 300 metres last week in her return to the No.1 jersey with her switch noticeably helping the Titans to their first win of the season. Pelite is the Titans' biggest strike weapon while Taylor, who lit up the under 19s Origin arena in June, will play her first NRLW match. Taylor will feel the pressure to replace Sam Bremner at the back but has the skillset to thrive against the Titans.
Stat attack
The Titans have recorded double the amount of dummy half runs than the Roosters this season with 72, perhaps highlighting their one-out running or ability to take a carry from hooker particularly from their own end. Karina Brown (19) and Evania Pelite (13) are in the top three while former Titan Destiny Brill (12) is the best for the Roosters.
Witness all six NRLW teams competing on the same day, at the same stadium, with a triple header blockbuster at Central Coast Stadium on September 18. Family tickets start from only $20. Adult’s from just $5 and kids FREE with a paying adult. Secure your seats at NRL.com/tickets.
