Raiders v Cowboys: Preston suspended; Roache, Raftstrand-Smith return
Canberra will be eager to rebound after their 22-10 loss to Cronulla. While the result was disappointing, the Raiders remained in the contest for long periods and showed enough resilience to suggest they remain firmly in the hunt for a finals berth.
The Cowboys also enter Round 5 searching for answers following a 34-6 defeat to the Gold Coast Titans. North Queensland have yet to find winning form this season, but Magic Round is a fresh opportunity to reset their campaign.
The Raiders have been at their best when they control possession and build pressure through their forward pack. Despite last week's loss, there were periods where Canberra challenged Cronulla's defence and looked capable of turning the match.
North Queensland's priority will be improving with the ball. Against the Titans they struggled to match Gold Coast's momentum and were unable to consistently apply pressure in attacking territory.
With both teams looking to bounce back from losses, determination will be in abundance.
Match: Raiders v Cowboys
Round 5 -
home Team
Raiders
6th Position
away Team
Cowboys
12th Position
Venue: Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Raiders: A few changes for the Raiders who will be looking to get back on track following a disappointing loss to the Bulldogs last week. Hollie-Mae Dodd has been promoted to start in the second row in place of the suspended Jordyn Preston. In the backs, Isabella Waterman has been named in the centres for Bobbi Law. Sereana Naitokatoka has been added to the bench for her first appearance of the season.
Cowboys: Ricky Henry has shuffled his squad after welcoming back Abigail Roache from a knee injury to the backline. The Kiwi international returns at centre, shifting England representative Francesca Goldthorpe to fullback, where she played the later stages of last week's game. Margot Vella switches to the wing, with Sian Williams into the reserves. In the forwards, Lily Dick has been elevated to the backrow, moving Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell to the reserves, while Tiana Raftstrand-Smith has been named for her first appearance of 2026, coming on to the bench after being sidelined with a hamstring injury.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Sheridan GallagherFullback for Cowboys is number 1 Francesca Goldthorp
-
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Elise SimpsonWinger for Cowboys is number 2 Charlize Lloyd-Phillips
-
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Leianne TufugaCentre for Cowboys is number 3 Abigail Roache
-
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Isabella WatermanCentre for Cowboys is number 4 Jasmine Peters
-
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Mackenzie WikiWinger for Cowboys is number 5 Margot Vella
-
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Krystal BlackwellFive-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tallara Bamblett
-
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Zahara TemaraHalfback for Cowboys is number 7 Rosie Kelly
Forwards
-
Prop for Raiders is number 8 Chloe SaundersProp for Cowboys is number 8 Essay Banu
-
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Chanté TemaraHooker for Cowboys is number 9 Emma Manzelmann
-
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Sophie HolymanProp for Cowboys is number 10 Makenzie Weale
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hollie-Mae Dodd2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Tallisha Harden
-
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Charlotte Basham2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Lily Dick
-
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Simaima TaufaLock for Cowboys is number 13 Bree Chester
Interchange
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Emma BarnesInterchange for Cowboys is number 14 Alisha Foord
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Grace KempInterchange for Cowboys is number 15 Tayla Curtis
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Sereana NaitokatokaInterchange for Cowboys is number 16 Ashley Marsters
-
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Grace KukutaiInterchange for Cowboys is number 17 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
Reserves
-
Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Lili BoyleReplacement for Cowboys is number 18 Lydia Turua-Quedley
-
Reserve for Raiders is number 19 Ellie BranderReserve for Cowboys is number 19 Lyrech Mara
-
Reserve for Raiders is number 20 Relna Wuruki-HoseaReserve for Cowboys is number 20 Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell
-
Reserve for Raiders is number 21 Madison BartlettReserve for Cowboys is number 21 Sian Williams
-
Reserve for Raiders is number 22 Evie McGrathReserve for Cowboys is number 22 Kayla Jackson
Raiders Ins
- Evie McGrath
- Isabella Waterman
- Lili Boyle
- Madison Bartlett
- Relna Wuruki-Hosea
- Sereana Naitokatoka
Cowboys Ins
- Abigail Roache
- Kayla Jackson
- Lydia Turua-Quedley
- Tiana Raftstrand-Smith
Raiders Outs
- Bobbi Law
- Jordyn Preston
Cowboys Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Kasey Badger
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- Raiders winger Elise Simpson has scored eight tries in her last nine NRLW games
- The Cowboys have won their last two games against the Raiders
- Raiders winger Mackenzie Wiki has scored four tries in four games this season
- Cowboys centre Jasmine Peters has scored three tries in her last two games against the Raiders
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
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