NRLW 2025, finals week 1, semi-finals, late mail, injuries, updates, official team lists

NRLW Late Mail: Finals Week 1 - Whitfeld to make Cowboys return

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Sat 20 Sep 2025, 03:17 PM

North Queensland star Jakiya Whitfeld is on track to make her return from a shoulder injury in Saturday's semi-final against the Sharks.

The Jillaroo has missed the past two games but coach Ricky Henry declared she will be back on deck for the game at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.

"I mentioned last week she could've played [in Round 11]," Henry said. "She's excited to get back on the park. She'll come back into fullback. It's a big in for us, having her back fit and healthy.

"It's a massive inclusion for us and she's raring to go."

See all the late mail, official team news and updates for Week 1 of the 2025 NRLW Telstra Premiership Finals.

NRLW Team Lists: Finals Week 1

Cowboys v Sharks, Saturday 4.15pm at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Finals Week 1 - Finals Week 1 - Saturday 20 Sep

Full Time

Cowboys

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Jakiya Whitfeld

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Jada Taylor
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Krystal Blackwell

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Cassie Staples
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Abigail Roache

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Tiana Penitani Gray
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Jasmine Peters

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Grace-Lee Weekes
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Francesca Goldthorp

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Georgia Ravics
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Kirra Dibb

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Emma Verran
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tahlulah Tillett

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Chantay Kiria-Ratu

Forwards

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Lillian Yarrow

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Ellie Johnston
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Emma Manzelmann

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Georgia Hannaway
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Makenzie Weale

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Manilita Takapautolo
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Tallisha Harden

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Talei Holmes
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 17 Essay Banu

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Jaydika Tafua
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Bree Chester

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Brooke Anderson

Interchange

Interchange for Cowboys is number 12 China Polata

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Tyla King
Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Alisha Foord

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Rhiannon Byers
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Lily Peacock

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Stephanie Faulkner
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu

Reserves

Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell

Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Nakia Davis-Welsh

Match Officials

Referee: Kasey Badger
Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy

Last updated: 9/21/2025 3:26:02 AM

Cowboys: Just one change for the Cowboys on game day and it's a familiar one, with Essay Banu coming into the starting side. China Polata shifts to the interchange as a result. Star fullback Jakiya Whitfeld will play her first game since suffering a shoulder injury in Round 9. The Jillaroo's return will see Krystal Blackwell shift to the wing. Tahlulah Tillett is set to return to the starting side in No.7 after coach Ricky Henry made a bold call to change his halves just days out from the must-win clash. "It has been a fierce competition with the three halves and they have all put their hand up at certain times of the year but we felt this was the best combination coming into the semi-final," Henry said. Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell is the 18th player.

Sharks: Rhiannon Byers is set to complete her comeback from a back injury and has been named on the bench for Saturday's clash in Townsville. Winger Georgia Ravics (knee) is also on track to return after she was a late scratching last week. Halfback Chantay Kiria-Ratu is set to battle through a knee injury suffered in Round 11 and take her place in the team. Cronulla will line up 1-17, with Nakia Davis-Welsh the 18th player.