The Raiders and Eels meeting for the first time in Canberra on Sunday for Round 5 of the NRL Telstra Women's Premiership with plenty at stake at the halfway point of the season.

The Green Machine are looking to make it four in a row and maintain their spot in the top two while Parramatta are searching for their first win this year after an 0-4 start. 

Darrin Borthwick's side will be expected to win, which is fairly new territory for the Raiders, but also crucial they do with clashes against the Broncos, Knights and Titans to follow.

The Eels produced a solid performance against the Broncos but couldn't get over the line enough to threaten their opponents' lead in Brisbane. 

Dean Widders knows all too well about going winless in the first month after doing so last season before surging to the NRLW grand final with the blue and gold now at desperate stages to get their campaign back on track.

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Team news

Raiders: No late changes for the home side after Hollie-Mae Dodd dropped out of the side on Saturday with Monalisa Soliola promoted to start in the back row and Ahlivia Ingram joining the bench. Elise Smith will make her NRLW debut in the back row which shifts Kerehitina Matua to the bench and Tara Reinke out of the 17. The Green Machine are chasing four wins on the trot.

Eels: A late change on game day with Nakia Davis-Welsh ruled out and Taneka Todhunter promoted to the interchange bench. Meanwhile, Kyra Simon dropped out on Saturday with Tyla Amiatu starting at lock and Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis added to the bench. Elsie Albert (calf) is out after reaggravating a leg injury with Madeline Jones stepping into the starting role at prop. Rosemarie Beckett, who picked up a head knock a fortnight, was listed in the reserves but was omitted on Saturday.

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Stat Attack

  • There are three former Eels in the Raiders line-up - former captain Simaima Taufa, halfback Ash Quinlan and prop Tommaya Kelly-Sines.
  • The Raiders are chasing four-straight wins for the first time in club history. 
  • The Eels have never lost five games in a row in a season.
  • The Eels have won only four games from 21 in NRLW history.