Hey guys, I’m back! More importantly though, the NRLW is back for the 2025 season and I am fired up to break down each and every round for the Blue & Gold!
Unfortunately the Eels missed on a top 4 spot last season but there some massive positives to come from 2024. The team fought hard in the fact of significant injuries, the club unearthed a young star in Rory Owen while Abbi Church cemented her position as one of the premier players in the code.
Steve Georgallis and the club have continued to improve the roster, adding strong talent in the forward pack and keeping young players from our own pathways for the foreseeable future. These have been the two biggest priorities for the club since Georgallis became the coach.
It’s time to see what the 2025 season will bring, as the Eels go on the road to kick off the 2025 NRLW season.
Game Info
Date: Thursday, July 3, 2025
Kick-off: 7:45 PM AEST
Venue: Sharks Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Broadcast: Foxtel and Nine Gem
Live Stream: Kayo & Nine Now
Team Lists
Parramatta Eels
1. Abbi Church 2. Zali Fay 3. Rory Owen 4. Lindsay Tui 5. Martha Mataele 6. Cassey Tohi-Hiku 7. Rachael Pearson 8. Elsie Albert 9. Rueben Cherrington 10. Breanna Eales 11. Chloe Jackson 12. Paige Travis 13. Ryvrr-Lee 14. Taneka Todhunter 15. Rysh’e Fa’amausili 16. Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis 17. Fleur Finn 18. Mia Middleton 19. Tess McWilliams
The Eels face some challenges in looking to win the first game of the season, especially with injuries to key experienced forwards. Kennedy Cherrington (PCL, Rd 6) and Boss Kapua (Fibula Fracture, Rd 4) were known injuries coming into this week. However the club has just confirmed that Mahalia Murphy (Hamstring, Rd 3) and Tyla Amiatu (Hamstring, Rd 7) are also out for a considerable time while Rosie Beckett (RF strain, Rd 2) rounds out in the injury list but should be back next week.
The Eels side includes five NRLW debutants: Paige Travis, Rysh’e Fa’amausili, Fleur Ginn, Martha Mataele and Eels junior Ryvrr-Lee Alo.
Cronulla Sutherland Sharks
1. Emma Vernan 2. Cassie Staples 3. Tiana Penitani-Gray 4. Annessa Biddle 5. Georgia Ravics 6. Georgia Hannaway 7. Chantay Kiria-Ratu 8. Ellie Johnston 9. Quincy Dodd 10. Jacinta Carter 11. Talei Holmes 12. Rhiannon Byers 13. Brooke Anderson 14. Nakia Davis-Welsh 15. Jaydika Tafua 16. Manilita Takapautolo 17. Filomina Hanisi 18. Leka Leilua 19. Grace-Lee Weekes
NSW standout Emma Verran has been named at fullback as she prepares for a return following surgery to remove a melanoma from her back. The Sharks have a new halves pairing with Georgia Hannaway and former Titan Chantay Kiria-Ratu.
Cronulla will be without star off-season recruit Tyla King with a calf injury for the first few weeks of the season, while Jada Taylor recovers from an ACL injury and Caitlan Johnston-Green is unavailable after recently giving birth.
The Game
Both sides will be looking to make a strong statement to open their 2025 campaigns, following a fiercely physical clash last year in Round 2. Cronulla edged out the Eels with an 18-16 victor and another hard-fought battle is anticipated in this year’s season opener.
The Sharks enter the 2025 season with unfinished business, having fallen just short in last year’s NRLW Grand Final. Despite a spirited comeback from a 24-0 deficit, they went down 32-28 to the Roosters in a thrilling contest.
Looking to lay an early marker, Cronulla faced the Roosters again in a recent trial, with the sides playing out a hard-fought 12-all draw. It was an encouraging sign of the Sharks’ determination and intensity.
The Roosters had a physical and fast start in their match-up, breaking down the Sharks’ right edge defence to open up the game before finding holes back through the ruck as fatigue took its toll. The Tri-colours were relentless and scored three consecutive tries.
What the Eels need to keep an eye on is the Sharks’ short side attack on their left edge. Georgia Hannaway found success plundering mismatches down the narrow corridor and was able to put the Roosters on the back-foot and spark the comeback effort.
Once they scored, the Sharks got their second wind and began to surge through the middle as their interchange players piled on momentum. Cronulla put emphasis on shifting the ball from side-to-side ball – particularly from left to right for the try that ultimately made the score 12-all.
Quincy Dodd is an ever-present threat near the try-line against tired forwards, She has a knack of finding a seam to burrow through but can also use her forwards to great effect around the ruck.
For Parramatta, who narrowly missed the 2024 finals with a fifth-place finish, the new season presents a chance to go one better. The Eels showed glimpses of promise in their 24-18 trial loss to the Bulldogs, but a slow start and costly errors ultimately proved the difference.
After conceding three early tries and falling behind 18-0 within the opening 25 minutes, Parramatta gradually found their rhythm.
Once settled, they looked the better side for long stretches, scoring four tries to match Canterbury and dominating field position through smart kicking from halfback Rachael Pearson. Strong performances from Lindsay Tui, Martha Mataele, Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis, and Chloe Jackson added much-needed punch through the middle and out wide. Rueben Cherrington was busy around the ruck while Cassey Tohi-Hiku brought plenty of energy to the contest.
However, the game also exposed some areas for improvement. Poor handling, a lack of composure in the red zone, and missed defensive assignments hurt the Eels in key moments.
Several attacking sets broke down due to forced passes or unforced errors, allowing the Bulldogs to absorb pressure and regain momentum. Despite that, the second-half fightback showcased the team’s potential when playing with confidence and cohesion.
Heading into their Round 1 clash with Cronulla, the Eels will be looking to tidy up their execution and make a stronger start. Expect them to rely on Pearson’s control to steer the side around the park, while the forward pack, led by Jackson and Albert, will aim to lay a platform for their dynamic outside backs.
If they can limit their errors, maintain defensive discipline and create ball movement that freezes and holds up decision-making from the Sharks defence, Parramatta has the tools to challenge the Sharks and start their season on a positive note.
Prediction: Eels by 4
Player of the Game: Abbi Church
Kye
Great to see the girls back in action.
Just how good is Chloe Jackson ? She is the Ray Price of our women’s team.
She never stops.
Rory Owen destroyed the Sharks out wide and Rat pulled the strings in the middle.
An excellent win considering the Sharks were very heavy favourites.
The debutants were excellent especially Ryvrr and Paige Travis.
Well done all around!!!
What a great win, the Sharks play a fast, aggressive style that could just buckle opposition as intensity is maintained. Plenty of character to stay with them then lift to reverse the momentum.
Impressive discipline from the Eels with low error count a key factor.
Good first up win. Yes Rory Owen looked dangerous with her speed accompanied by her equally impressive winger outside her. Well done to the team.
Rory Owen maybe the best centre we have at a club right now in all grades NRL & NRLW.
Her try saving tackle on the dummy half was something we haven’t seen Nathan Hindmarsh graced the field 13-14 years ago.
Goes to show the respect we have as a club in the game.
Both Fox and 9 were basically expecting the Sharks to lap us and even in the commentary gave us no respect whatsoever for the win.
Millie Boyle basically thought we would get flogged.
That’s true but to be fair, the Sharks were very very heavy favourites considering the injuries we have and they would be dirty that they let this one go.
Can’t understand how unlucky we are to have the injuries we have but it gives the younger kids opportunity.
As for Rory, I agree, her in and away to put Zali Fay down the touchline was an absolute classic.
Her SOO experience would have helped her immensely.
Great performance ladies and so many young players who were teenagers and new to the team , I’m not sure why anyone cares about what the media say about our teams , none of them are any better than us and opinions are like a holes every one has one
Really enjoyed the strong defensive resolve the team showed on the line
I’ve watched the girls play several times over the last year or two. What impresses me is their fighting spirit and their never give up defense very impressive
Agreed Tanky
If you get the chance to watch the girls sing the parra victory song so enthusiastic fantastic