NRLW 2026, Round 8, Sharks v Eels, match preview, team lists, injuries, updates

Sharks v Eels: Byers back in the pack; Joseph reaches miletone

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Wed 19 Aug 2026, 08:01 AM

This clash features two teams coming in hot off differing results in Round 7.

Parramatta finally broke through for its first win of the season with a convincing 30-18 win over Canterbury. The Eels were dominant early, racing to a 24-0 half-time lead and displaying the attacking fluency that often eluded them in the opening rounds.

Cronulla, meanwhile, fell 30-18 to North Queensland, continuing a frustrating run of results despite again showing flashes of attacking quality.

Parramatta will arrive believing it can make consecutive wins a reality and Cronulla's challenge will be to turn promising periods into a complete performance.

This could be one of the more evenly matched contests of the weekend, with both sides viewing it as a must-win opportunity.

Round 8 - Round 8 - Sunday 23 Aug

8:15 am

Sharks

Eels

Venue: Ocean Protect Stadium, Sydney

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Team Lists Get Tickets

Team News

Sharks: A boost for Cronulla with Rhiannon Byers named to return from a knee injury, starting in the second row. The reigning Veronica White Medal winner will take the place of Jaydika Taufa who has been suspended for one match, but has also been sidelined with a throat injury. The new 18th player this week is Talei Holmes, while Origin and Cook Islands half Chantay Kiria-Ratu has been listed in the reserves as the pushes to return from an ankle injury.

Eels: With Lindsay Tui sidelined with an ankle injury, Jasmin Morrisey shifts to the centres, with Zali Fay coming in on the wing. On the bench there have been a few changes as well, with Ryvrr-Lee Alo and Chloe Jackson both returning from concussions. Tess McWilliams reverts to the reserves with Jayde Herdegen named as 18th player.

Round 8 - Round 8 - Sunday 23 Aug

8:15 am

Sharks

Eels

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Jada Taylor

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Abbi Church
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Milla Elaro

Winger for Eels is number 2 Zali Fay
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Tiana Penitani Gray

Centre for Eels is number 3 Rory Owen
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Cassie Staples

Centre for Eels is number 4 Jasmin Morrissey
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Marewakiterangi Samson

Winger for Eels is number 5 Martha Mataele
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Georgia Hannaway

Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Cassey Tohi-Hiku
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Madison Ashby

Halfback for Eels is number 7 Rachael Pearson

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Ellie Johnston

Prop for Eels is number 8 Elsie Albert
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Quincy Dodd

Hooker for Eels is number 9 Taneka Todhunter
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Manilita Takapautolo

Prop for Eels is number 10 Boss Kapua
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 China Polata

2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Fontayne Tufuga
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Rhiannon Byers

2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Mahalia Murphy
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu

Lock for Eels is number 13 Keilee Joseph

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Koffi Brookfield

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Layne Morgan
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Tegan Dymock

Interchange for Eels is number 15 Ryvrr-Lee Alo
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Caitlan Johnston-Green

Interchange for Eels is number 16 Chloe Jackson
Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Jacinta Carter

Interchange for Eels is number 17 Khyliah Gray

Reserves

Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Talei Holmes

Replacement for Eels is number 18 Jayde Herdegen
Reserve for Sharks is number 19 Leilani Ahsam

Reserve for Eels is number 19 Tess McWilliams
Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Olivia Herman

Reserve for Eels is number 20 Rueben Cherrington
Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Chantay Kiria-Ratu

Reserve for Eels is number 21 Fleur Ginn
Reserve for Sharks is number 22 Filomina Hanisi

Reserve for Eels is number 22 Kate Fallon