The Sharks experienced another twist in the rollercoaster ride that is an NRLW season last week in suffering a last-minute defeat, while the Roosters returned to winning ways in commanding fashion.
Having had the thrill of a victory in their Round 1 debut, the empty feeling of being blanked by the Wests Tigers in Round 2, Tony Herman’s led for all but the final minute and half of their clash against the Gold Coast in a heartbreaking 10-8 loss.
Goalkicking would have made a difference, with Taylor Preston missing both attempts to convert her side’s two tries, but the Sharks were otherwise superior in almost all of the key stat categories and completed all but seven of their 38 sets.
It was a different story for the Roosters when they opened Round 3 with a 30-0 drubbing of the Dragons, in which they broke 65 tackle and made 10 line breaks in a dominant performance with ball in hand.
Coming after a shock loss to the Raiders a week earlier, it improves the Tricolours to a 2-1 record which has them back up in third position heading into Round 4.
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Team News
Sharks: A change on game day sees Quincy Dodd shift to the bench with Brooke Anderson starting at hooker and Chloe Saunders at lock. Emma Tonegato shifted to fullback on Saturday with Maddie Studdon called up to start at five-eighth after Jada Taylor was ruled out with an ankle injury. Holli Wheeler is listed to start after making a return from a knee injury last week. Annessa Biddle moves to the centres to accommodate for Andie Robinson's return to the wing and Cassie Staples to 18th player.
Roosters: No changes for the Roosters on game day. Kalosipani Hopoate comes onto the interchange bench in place of Mya Hill-Moana, who remains sidelined with a head knock. Mia Wood is the 18th player.
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Stat Attack
- The Roosters’ 65 tackle breaks last week accounted for more than half of their competition-high total of 124.
- This week sees the two best post-contact runners in the NRLW right now clash, with Sharks back Annessa Biddle (94.3 per game average) last week moving past Roosters prop Millie Boyle (88.7 per game average).
- Sharks lock Brooke Anderson sits third in missed tackles in 2023 with 17 and equal-second for penalties conceded with four.