NRLW predicted team lists: Every side’s likely lineup for Round 4

The 2023 NRLW season is picking up pace as we enter Round 4 of this year’s competition.

The Gold Coast Titans remain the only perfect team so far but face a stern test against the reigning champions, the Newcastle Knights.

At the other end of the table, the Parramatta Eels will be hoping to score their first win of the season when they take on the North Queensland Cowboys.

The Sporting News has the early mail ahead of the upcoming round.

MORE: NRLW fixtures and results – Full draw for 2023

ST GEORGE ILLAWARRA DRAGONS VS. CANBERRA RAIDERS

Saturday 12th August WIN Stadium (11:05am) 

Dragons predicted team:

1. Teagan Berry
2. Margot Vella
3. Keele Browne
4. Bobbi Law
5. Cortez Te Pou
6. Tyla Nathan-Wong
7. Raecene McGregor
8. Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa
9. Kaarla Cowan
10. Roxy Murdoch
11. Sara Sautia
12. Shenai Lendill
13. Alexis Tauaneai

14. Sophie Clancy
15. Ella Koster
16. Tara McGrath-West
17. Maddison Weatherall

Dragons team news:

The Dragons will be hoping to bounce back after suffering a 30-0 defeat to the Roosters in Round 3.

Sophie Clancy suffered a head knock during her debut NRLW game but did return to the action, so no team changes are expected.

Raiders predicted team:

1. Apii Nicholls
2. Madison Bartlett
3. Cheyelle Robins-Reti
4. Mackenzie Wiki
5. Jessica Gentle
6. Zahara Temara
7. Ashleigh Quinlan
8. Tommaya Kelly-Sines
9. Chanté Temara
10. Sophie Holyman
11. Monalisa Soliola
12. Hollie-Mae Dodd
13. Simaima Taufa

14. Ua Ravu
15. Grace Kemp
16. Kerehitina Matua
17. Tara Reinke

Raiders team news: 

Canberra claimed a tight 28-22 win over the Tigers last weekend to make it two straight wins in the nation’s capital. 

Emma Barnes suffered a jaw injury during the win over the Tigers and is in doubt for the match against the Dragons, while Shakiah Tungai also picked up a leg injury. 

Jessia Gentle could slot onto the wing as a replacement, with Ua Ravu joining the bench.

NORTH QUEENSLAND COWBOYS VS. WESTS TIGERS

Saturday 12th August, Totally Workwear Stadium (12.50pm) 

Cowboys predicted team:

1. Francesca Goldthorp
2. Vitalina Naikore China Polata
3. Jasmine Peters
4. Shellie Long
5. Autumn-Rain Stephens-Daly
6. Krystal Blackwell
7. Kirra Dibb
8. Tallisha Harden
9. Emma Manzelmann
10. Essay Banu
11. Shaniah Power
12. Bree Chester
13. Makenzie Weale

14. Sera Koroi
15. Sareka Mooka
16. China Polata
17. April Ngatunpuna

Cowboys team news:

North Queensland were unable to stop Mele Hufanga last time out as the centre grabbed a four-try haul in the Broncos’ big win over the Cowboys. 

They will most likely be without prop Tiana Raftstrand-Smith this week, after she failed a HIA. Essay Banu is her potential replacement.

Kira Dibb will also be closely monitored after picking up a finger injury during the 40-12 defeat to Brisbane. 

Tahlulah Tillett could be in line for a return for the Cowboys as she was scheduled to be back on deck in Round 4 after recovering from a hand injury. 

Tigers predicted team:

1. Tess Staines
2. Jakiya Whitfeld
3. Rikeya Horne
4. Leianne Tufuga
5. Josie Lenaz
6. Pauline Piliae-Rasabale
7. Emily Curtain
8. Sarah Togatuki
9. Ebony Prior
10. Christian Pio
11. Kezie Apps
12. Eliza Siilata
13. Najvada George

14. Sophie Curtain
15. Losana Lutu
16. Taylor Osborne
17. Jessica Kennedy

Tigers team news: 

The Wests Tigers lost their perfect record after slipping to defeat against the Raiders last week and have a number of worries heading into their clash with the Cowboys.

Botille Vette-Welsh went off with a head knock last weekend and is unlikely to feature, while forward Folau Vaki was a late withdrawal after injuring her knee in the warm-up. 

Although, Tess Staines could be in line for a return after missing last week with a finger injury, and may even slot in as a replacement fullback.

BRISBANE BRONCOS VS. PARRAMATTA EELS

Saturday 12th August, Totally Workwear Stadium (3.10pm)

Broncos predicted team:

1. Hayley Maddick
2. Ashleigh Wener
3. Lauren Dam
4. Shenae Ciesiolka
5. Toni Hunt
6. Gayle Broughton
7. Ali Brigginshaw
8. Annetta-Claudia Nu’uausala
9. Jada Ferguson
10. Brianna Clark
11. Tazmin Gray
12. Romy Teitzel
13. Mariah Denman

14. Lavinia Gould
15. Filomina Hanisi
16. Chelsea Lenarduzzi
17. Narikah Orchard

 

Mele Hufanga

Broncos team news:

Brisbane should welcome back Narikah Orchard, who has been nursing a calf injury, and Ashleigh Werner in Round 4 after the latter has served her two-match ban. 

However, the extent of the injuries suffered by Tafito Lafaele and Julia Robinson are still unknown. 

Destiny Brill copped a head knock during the first half of Brisbane’s win over the Cowboys and didn’t return while Annetta Nu’uausala was able to carry on playing after passing her own HIA. 

Skipper Ali Brigginshaw was put on report for a dangerous tackle but will be free to play. 

Eels predicted team:

1. Abbi Church
2. Zali Fay
3. Cassey Tohi-Hiku
4. Kimberley Hunt
5. Monique Donovan
6. Pihuka Berryman-Duff
7. Rosemarie Beckett
8. Elsie Albert
9. Rueben Cherrington
10. Madeline Jones
11. Mahalia Murphy
12. Amelia Mafi
13. Jade Fonua

14. Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis
15. Shontelle Stowers
16. Shannon Muru
17. Nakia Davis-Welsh

Eels team news: 

Injury and suspensions are mounting for the Eels after their captain Kennedy Cherrington became just the second player in NRLW history to be sent off. She received her marching orders for a dangerous lifting tackle with the forward referred directly to the tribunal. 

Elsie Albert, Nakia Davis-Welsh and Shontelle Stowers all dropped out after initially being named last week but could return after the side’s loss to the Knights. 

Kesley Clark was drafted into the 17 but suffered a head knock in Round 3 and may miss out. 

CRONULLA SHARKS VS. SYDNEY ROOSTERS

Sunday 13th August, PointsBet Stadium (12pm)

Sharks predicted team:

1. Jada Taylor
2. Kiana Takairangi
3. Annessa Biddle
4. Tiana Penitani
5. Cassie Staples
6. Emma Tonegato
7. Tayla Preston
8. Ellie Johnston
9. Quincy Dodd
10. Chloe Saunders
11. Talei Holmes
12. Harata Butler
13. Brooke Anderson

14. Sereana Naitokatoka
15. Fiona Jahnke
16. Tegan Dymock
17. Holli Wheeler

Sharks team news:

Cronulla suffered an agonising 10-8 loss to the Titans last weekend and will be keen to get back in the winner’s circle when they face the Roosters. 

Vanessa Foliaki failed to finish the game after suffering a head knock, but it was better news for Holli Wheeler who came off the bench to star after recovering from knee surgery. 

The Sharks could also be boosted by the return of Jada Taylor from an ankle injury and Harata Butler who will be eligible to play again after copping a suspension. 

Roosters predicted team:

1. Corban Baxter
2. Brydie Parker
3. Lexi Kiriwi
4. Isabelle Kelly
5. Jayme Fressard
6. Tarryn Aiken
7. Jocelyn Kelleher
8. Millie Boyle
9. Keeley Davis
10. Teuila Fotu-Moala
11. Amelia Pasikala
12. Olivia Kernick
13. Keilee Joseph

14. Shawden Burton
15. Grace Hamilton 
16. Mya Hill-Moana
17. Otesa Pule

Roosters team news:

The Roosters got back to winning ways last weekend with a 30-0 thrashing of the Dragons, although star centre Jess Sergis is in doubt for Round 4 after picking up a knee injury during the game. Lexi Kiriwi is her likely replacement. 

In better news for the club, Mya Hill-Moana is expected to be good to go after suffering a head knock while captain Millie Boyle is free to play despite being put on report for a hip drop.

NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS VS. GOLD COAST TITANS

Sunday 13th August, McDonald Jones Stadium (1.50pm)

Knights predicted team:

1. Tamika Upton
2. Sheridan Gallagher
3. Shanice Parker
4. Abigail Roache
5. Jasmin Strange
6. Georgia Roche 
7. Jesse Southwell
8. Simone Karpani
9. Olivia Higgins
10. Rima Butler
11. Tayla Predebon
12. Yasmin Clydsdale
13. Hannah Southwell

14. Nita Maynard
15. Kayla Romaniuk
16. Laishon Albert-Jones
17. Viena Tinao

Knights team news:

A top-of-the-table clash awaits in the Hunter on Sunday with the Knights hoping to continue their strong start to the season in front of their home fans. 

Caitlin Moran missed Newcastle’s big win over the Eels in Round 3 with Georgia Roche slotting into five-eighth. Although, the playmaker could be back on deck against the Titans. 

Caitlan Johnston is facing 1-2 weeks out after being hit with a Grade 2 Careless High Tackle on Parramatta’s Kelsey Clark.

Titan predicted team:

1. Evania Pelite
2. Destiny Mino-Sinapati
3. Niall Williams-Guthrie
4. Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell
5. Karina Brown
6. Chantay Kiria-Ratu
7. Taliah Fuimaono
8. Shannon Mato
9. Brittany Breayley-Nati
10. Jessika Elliston
11. Zara Canfield
12. Shaylee Bent
13. Georgia Hale

14. Lauren Brown
15. Stephanie Hancock
16. Rilee Jorgensen
17. Dannii Perese

Titans team news:

Taliah Fuimaono is expected to return from an ankle injury for the ladder leaders after Sienna Lofipo deputised for her at halfback. 

Emily Bass was replaced by Karina Brown on the wing last week, while Jaime Chapman was replaced by Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell in the centres. It remains to be seen if the Gold Coast stick with this winning combination or ring the changes.