As it happened: Big wins for Cowboys, Dragons and Broncos

Full time: A convincing 20-6 first-up win for Ricky Henry's Cowboys, with his side's speed around the ruck and staunch goal-line defence the highlights. Jakiya Whitfeld was enormous at the back, carrying 17 times for 195 metres, while forward Bree Chster churned through 140 metres and 42 tackles. 

68th minute: Ngatokotoru Arakua goes on report for a hip drop tackle on Francesca Goldthorp. 

68th min: Georgia Gray finally gets over for the Titans after they strip their opponents for numbers down the left. Lauren Brown adds the extra two points. Sadly, it's too little too late for the visitors. 

63rd min: The day goes from bad to worse for the visitors with skipper Brittany Breayley-Nati forced from the field with what appeared to be a shoulder or arm injury. 

59th min: Having threatened to go over earlier in the match with a devastating run, Emma Manzelmann burns the Titans from dummy-half and crosses for a try, which following Kirra Dibb's conversion, likely puts the result beyond doubt. The set came to life with a huge run down the sideline from new signing Rosie Kelly. Cowboys 20 Titans 0. 

57th minute: Having earlier spent time with the trainer looking at a lower leg injury, winger Destiny Mino-Sinapati leaves the field. 

55th min: It's end-to-end stuff here now in Townsville. A combined 11 line breaks have been made inside the opening hour, with both sides enjoying lots of opportunities to register points. For now though, things remain scoreless in the second half. 

51st min: Lillian Yarrow comes up with a big in-goal escape following a Titans kick to relieve pressure on her side. The Cowboys remain well in control at 14-0. 

46th min: Almost a breakthrough for the Titans on the back of some solo brilliance from Jaime Chapman, but the Cowboys hustle to deny the New South Wales flyer a few metres short of the line. 

44th min: After Kirra Dibb breaks the line and runs downfield, the Cowboys hoist a bomb up to Destiny Mino-Sinapati. While the Titan claims it nicely, the swarming defence push her into touch and force a turnover. North Queensland are back on the attack. 

43rd min: The Gold Coast are lacking ideas in attack right now and another set in good-ball territory ends with Jaime Chapman kicking dead.

38th min: Lily Peacock returns to the field after passing her HIA conducted over the half time break. 

38th min: The Titans earn a penalty on their opening set of the second half, but it ends quickly with an error from Natasha Penitani. The prop then packs late on the ensuing scrum and is pinged for a penalty. 

Half time: The Cowboys have shaken off a sluggish start to dominate the back end of the first half and run in three unanswered tries. The hosts lead 14-0 with 35 to play. Cowboys prop Lily Peacock ends the half requiring a head injury assessment. 

30th min: Fullback Jakiya Whitfeld runs the ball on the last and slices through the Titans' left-edge defence for the Cowboys' third of the day. Kirra Dibb nails the conversion for a 14-0 lead. At the end of all that, Titans back Destiny Mino-Sinapati goes on report too. 

24th min: A lovely interchange of passing between Krystal Blackwell and Abigail Roache ends in the former crossing for a stunning length-of-the-field try. The movement starts with Blackwell putting Roache into a gap on a kick return, before the Kiwi Ferns flyer darts 40 metres and links back up with Blackwell, who does the rest. Kirra Dibb is again off target with the extras. Cowboys 8 Titans 0. 

20th min: After forcing a repeat set with a towering bomb, the Cowboys take full advantage to score through English winger Francesca Goldthorp. Centre Jasmine Peters drags the defence in before flicking the ball wide for the opener. The kick from the sideline is no good, so it's a 4-0 lead for North Queensland. 

15th min: Krystal Blackwell coughs up North Queensland's fourth error of the match to gift the Titans a set which started inside the attacking 20. A crucial tackle from prop Lillian Yarrow stops Brittany Breayley-Nati from opening the scoring.  

10th min: An untimely error from Essay Banu close to the line lets the Gold Coast off the hook. Handling is proving an issue for both sides, with both running under 70 percent completion rates through the first 10 minutes. 

8th min: The Titans compound an error in their own half with a penalty and the Cowboys get their first decent attacking chance of the game. 

3rd min: A huge sigh of relief goes around Queensland Country Bank Stadium as the Cowboys force an error and survive early back-to-back sets camped on their own line. 

Kick off: A nightmare start for the Cowboys as Rosie Kelly spills the ball from the kick off. The Titans go on the attack immediately 

Late Mail

Cowboys: PNG Orchids international Essay Banu has been promoted to start in the second-row with Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell dropping back to the bench in a later change. Jillaroo Jakiya Whitfeld is set to start her first game at fullback since 2022 in an exciting shift for the Cowboys. Krystall Blackwell and Francesca Goldthorp will line up on the wing. Rosie Kelly is set to partner Kirra Dibb in the halves, while young gun Lillian Yarrow will start at prop. Queensland star Emma Manzelmann has been named at hooker, with veteran Tallisha Harden as an edge forward.

Titans: Kiwi Ferns star Georgia Hale has been selected at lock as the Titans look to open their account with a win. Brittany Breayley-Nati will start at hooker while Jessika Elliston has been named in the front row. Natasha Penitani has been handed the No.8 jumper in her first game for the club, with the Titans to be without Shannon Mato for the season due to pregnancy. Jaime Chapman is set to start at fullback, with Lauren Brown and Taliah Fuimaono in the halves. Takoda Thompson is 18th player.

By the numbers

• The Cowboys have won three of their past four games at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
• The Titans require four tries for 100 NRLW tries.
• Cowboys halfback Kirra Dibb requires six points for 150 NRLW points.

Raiders v Dragons at GIO Stadium

Full time: The Dragons open the season with a win for the first time since 2022 and they do it in devastating fashion via a 36-14 scoreline. Indie Bostock announces herself as a future star with a double on debut and a try assist to go with over 150 metres in running. Teagan Berry also impresses from the back with four line breaks and over 200 run metres. 

67th min: With two of her own already in the bag, Indie Bostock turns provider and lays on the assist for Margot Vella. Raecene McGregor adds another two points from the tee and it's officially a blow out in Canberra. Dragons 36 Raiders 14. 

63rd min: Raecene McGregor puts her head down and runs hard and straight at a tiring Raiders line, charging over for a try which should put the result beyond doubt. The former Golden Boot winner converts as well for a 30-14 lead. 

62nd min: Indie Bostock looked to have grabbed a third after the Raiders failed to defuse a towering bomb, however the Bunker inspects further and finds a double knock on. No try, but the Dragons retain possession. 

59th min: With momentum on their side and tackles up their sleeve, Simaima Taufa drops the ball and Canberra are made to pay the ultimate price. Directly from the ensuing scrum Teagan Berry splits the line and runs 65 metres for a try which Raecene McGregor converts. The Dragons jump back to a 10-point lead. 

54th min: Having only just re-entered the game from the bench, Sophie Holyman crashes over from close range to make it a one-score game. Zahara Temara makes no mistake from right in front and it's Dragons 18 Raiders 14. 

51st min: The game is really opening up now and flowing end-to-end. There's no shortage of scoring opportunities on offer for either side.

47th min: Keele Browne goes on report for a dangerous tackle. 

45th min: The Dragons allow a bomb to bounce and give away six more tackles after getting a touch to it. Although the ball falls back to Canberra, they can't keep possession and turn it over in the process of regathering. That's then compounded with a penalty for holding down in the ruck. 

43rd min: Prolific wing Madison Bartlett gets one back for the Green Machine after finishing a move which featured nice touches from Zahara Temara and Mackenzie Wiki. Temara is well off target with the conversion though, so the deficit sits at 18-8 for Canberra. 

41st min: Nita Maynard-Perrin is pinged for an illegal pressure on a kicker. That hands Canberra a new set inside the Dragons' half. 

38th min: And just like that there's a possible 12-point turnaround. Having narrowly dodged a bullet at the other end moments ago, the Dragons get their third through impressive debutante Indie Bostock. The play begins with Teagan Berry making a long break down the right before rounding the fullback and finding Bostock on the inside. St George Illawarra are out to an 18-4 lead. 

36th min: Simaima Taufa busts the line open on the opening set of the second half, but the opportunity to capitalise doesn't eventuate due to the veteran making an error at the play the ball. 

Half time: The Dragons head to the sheds in charge, with a 12-4 lead. Both sides have been guilty of leaving potential points on the board through the opening 35 minutes.  

33rd min: Heavy pressure from Grace Kemp at marker forces a poor pass and subsequent knock on from Kasey Reh. The Raiders hold on at a crucial period of the game while camped up against their own line. 

30th min: Mackenzie Wiki continues an unhappy few minutes on a personal note, with her run in the lead up to Cheyelle Robins-Reti crossing being ruled as an obstruction. The Dragons continue to lead by eight. 

29th min: Discipline is proving an issue for both sides. The Dragons are pinged for an infringement, which is the combined sixth penalty of the match through 30 minutes. 

27th min: Mackenzie Wiki goes on report for a dangerous tackle, which gifts the Dragons with a set inside the Canberra half. While the Raiders don't convert it into points, they finish up a metre short of the try-line, leaving the Dragons with plenty to do. 

24th min: Just as they were starting to build something on attack, Canberra cough up a play the ball error through Mackenzie Wiki and then compound it with a penalty for a dangerous tackle. 

18th min: Following a couple of stinging carries from middle forwards, which put Canberra on the back foot, skipper Zali Hopkins burrows over and finishes with a try celebration paying homage to Dragons men's great, and NRLW assistant coach, Mark 'Piggy' Riddell. 

16th min: A golden chance for a second try goes begging for the Green Machine. A loose ball lands in the hands of Isabella Waterman, but she can't get it to ground cleanly over the line. 

14th min: The weight of possession - which sits 60-40 in Canberra's favour right now - eventually tells and the Raiders get their four-pointer through English forward Holli-Mae Dodd. Zahara Temara pushes the attempted conversion wide to the left. Dragons 6 Raiders 4. 

12th min: The Dragons burn their captain's challenge early on, trying to overturn a knock on 10 metres out from their own line. The Raiders get the ball and the pressure continues. 

10th min: Zahara Temara breaks the line and hammers an accurate grubber into the left-hand corner of the field. Dragons fullback Teagan Berry wins the race to the ball in the in-goal area, just, and the Raiders get the ball back from a dropout. 

9th min: Some hot-potato footy from the Raiders challenges the Dragons on their line, but the Red V are up to the task. 

4th min: The stuff dreams are made of! With her first attacking touch in the NRLW, Indie Bostock goes 80 metres for a stunning solo try. The 18-year-old breaks free of a tackle attempt from Madison Bartlett before evading three would-be tackles from the Raiders for a try that is converted by Raecene McGregor. It's 6-0 to the visitors. 

3rd min: An impressive defensive stand from the Dragons early on, after a Charlotte Basham mistake puts them under pressure up against their own line. 

Kick off: We are underway in the national capital, with the Dragons having first use of the ball. 

Late Mail

Raiders: The off-season departure of Apii Nicholls has opened the door for Cheyelle Robins-Reti to shift to fullback, with Mackenzie Wiki and Leianne Tufuga in the centres. Former Australian OzTag representative Georgia Thomas is set to make her NRLW debut, with the 27-year-old to line up at five-eighth alongside halfback Zahara Temara. Fijian playmaker Sereana Naitokatoka will be available in Round 2 after serving a suspension incurred in the trial game against Newcastle. Jaida Faleono is 18th player.

Dragons: Indie Bostock will make her NRLW debut after being a late replacement in the centres for Keele Brown. NSW U19s team-mate Kasey Reh will partner with Golden Boot and Dally M winner Raecene McGregor in the halves as the Dragons look to get their season started with a win. Co-captain Zali Hopkins will start at hooker, with new recruit Nita Maynard to make an impact off the bench in her first game for the club. Former Knight Hannah Southwell is set to add crucial experience to the pack and will start at lock. Bronte Wilson is 18th player.

By the numbers

• The Raiders have won both games against the Dragons (2023 and 2024).
• Dragons fullback Teagan Berry requires one try to become the first player to score 30 NRLW tries.
• Raiders winger Madison Bartlett has scored 12 tries in her past 12 NRLW games.

 

Broncos v Wests Tigers at Totally Workwear Stadium

Full time: The Broncos show their class with a huge second-half effort which sees them run in four tries to blow the Wests Tigers out 28-4. Returning fullback Tamika Upton stars with three try assists, while winger Kerri Johnson enjoys a memorable NRLW debut in which she scores a double. The Wests Tigers were at times valiant in defence, but ultimately unable to handle the attacking prowess Brisbane possess. 

68th min: Hayley Maddick registers a sixth try for Brisbane after a neat set play directly from a scrum. Tamika Upton sweeps in behind to get the ball from Gayle Broughton and from there she sends it to Maddick, who is too quick on the outside. The kick is away and it's 28-4. 

62nd min: Mele finally gets her try and it's number 10 in seven matches for her at Totally Workwear Stadium! Hufanga grabs hold of the ball after Tamika Upton scoops it back to her centre and charges over untouched. Romy Teitzel adds the extras and it's 24-4. 

57th min: Mele Hufanga does everything but score. A huge break from the Kiwi Fern ends in her carrying several defenders over the line, but somehow Wests Tigers prevent the ball from touching the try-line. 

55th min: There's no stopping Chelsea Lenarduzzi. The veteran prop crashes over for her side's fourth try of the day. The first conversion of the game gives the Broncos a comfortable 18-4 lead. 

53rd min: Brisbane are really turning the screws now and putting pressure on. The Broncos march down field and cross through Mele Hufanga, but review from the Bunker shows she's held up. 

47th min: A double on debut for Kerri Johnson. Quick hands down the left finishes with Mele Hufanga drawing and passing to Johnson, who touches down to continue a memorable first game in the top grade. Brianna Clark can't convert, but Brisbane now hold a handy 12-4 lead nonetheless. 

44th min: Another last-ditch effort from the Wests Tigers saves a try. This time it's five-eighth Evie McGrath who does most of the damage, with help to bundle a try-line bound Hayley Maddick into touch from Jetaya Faifua. 

39th min: A stunning try-saver from Jetaya Faifua sees her drag the much bigger Brianna Clark down short of the line. By the time the Brisbane forward does get over, it's a double movement. The difference remains four points. 

37th min: The Wests Tigers dodge an early bullet in the second half after Emily Bass spills the ball, but in a backwards direction. Good news for the Broncos too, with star centre Julia Robinson passing her HIA after an earlier head clash. 

Half time: It's the Broncos who lead 8-4 at the break. It's been a low-scoring game so far, but with three tries ruled out in the first half (two for Brisbane and one for the Wests Tigers), there's potential for the scoreboard to explode in the second period. 

34th min: Keilee Joseph gets through from short range after a great carry from Mele Hufanga, but the prop spills the ball and it's a knock on. 

30th min: A nasty head clash between Julia Robinson and Jetaya Faifua leaves the Brisbane centre bleeding heavily from the nose. Robinson leaves the field for a head injury assessment and is replaced by Shalom Sauaso. 

29th min: Destiny Brill carves through some soft Wests Tigers defence to score a 40-metre try from dummy-half. A huge effort from the Queensland hooker, but it'll make for tough viewing for the Wests Tigers in the review session. Romy Teitzel is short and wide with the kick. 8-4 to Brisbane. 

27th minute: After the excitement of tries in quick succession, Romy Teitzel goes on report. 

25th min: The Wests Tigers hit back almost immediately and it's through another NRLW newbie in Caitlin Turnbull. Turnbull scoots out and dives in the right-hand corner, shaking off some pre-game drama which saw her leave the field during warm up with a suspected finger injury. Losana Lutu can't convert, so it's 4-4.  

22nd min: Finally a breakthrough! It's debutante Kerri Johnson who gets over for the four points, but put the try down to a brilliant long-range break from Tamika Upton. After initially getting free 25 metres off her own line, Upton goes over a covering tackle attempt before linking with her winger. The conversion is no good, so it's 4-0 to the Broncos. 

21st min: Now it's the Wests Tigers' turn to have a try claim ruled out. Fresh off the bench, Jessikah Reeves battles over but is ruled to have gone down short of the line before losing possession.

20th min: In a contest in which it doesn't feel like either team has got out of first gear yet, Broncos half Gayle Broughton is looking really dangerous on the ball. 

17th min: Just as the Broncos look to have finally made their opponents pay for a turnover inside in their own half, with Romy Teitzel getting over the line, the Bunker intervenes and finds a knock on in the lead up. The four-pointer is overturned. 

15th min: Terina Te Tamaki comes up with a huge tackle on NRLW debut to force a knock on from Julia Robinson. The Wests Tigers survive again after turning the ball over deep in their own half. It remains scoreless. 

7th min: The visitors repel back-to-back sets and survive after forcing Brisbane into touch with a multi-player tackle. The Wests Tigers are back on the ball.

5th min: Big pressure coming up on the Wests Tigers here after Lily Rogan drops the ball 10 metres out from the line. 

3rd min: Both sides complete their opening set without issue at Totally Workwear Stadium.

Kick off: We are underway in Brisbane, but there's been drama for the Wests Tigers in the warm up. Rookie wing Caitlin Turnbull headed to the sheds before kick off with a suspected finger injury, which was visibly bleeding, but has managed to start the game. 

Late Mail

Broncos: Jillaroos star Julia Robinson is set to start in the centres for the first time since 2020, with Kerri Johnson and Hayley Maddick to line up on the wing. Tamika Upton will line up at fullback in her return to the Broncos and will co-captain the side alongside halfback Ali Brigginshaw. New Zealand star Gayle Broughton has been named at five-eighth, with Jada Ferguson rounding out the spine at hooker. Young Maroons prop Keilee Joseph will lead the Brisbane pack while Romy Teitzel will look to make an impact as an edge-forward. Lauren Dam is 18th player.

Wests Tigers: Coach Brett Kimmorley has named a young halves duo of Evie McGrath and Losana Lutu as he looks to develop the next generation. Veteran Kezie Apps will provide crucial leadership for a forward pack also featuring Jillaroo Sarah Togatuki at prop and off-season recruit Pihuka Berryman-Duff at hooker. Queensland rep Emily Bass starts at centre in her first match for Wests Tigers. Faythe Manera is 18th player. 

Numbers Game

• The Broncos have won five from six at Totally Workwear Stadium.
• The Tigers have lost all four games at Queensland venues.
• Broncos prop Chelsea Lenarduzzi has scored in both games against Wests Tigers.