The Sydney Roosters will be out to underline their premiership credentials when they face our Parramatta Eels this Saturday afternoon.
The Tricolours have been the form sides of the competition in 2025, sitting undefeated at the top of the table.
With Jillaroos stars Tarryn Aiken, Keeley Davis, Jess Sergis and Isabelle Kelly in strong touch, the Roosters present one of the most balanced spines and centre pairings in the league. Parramatta, meanwhile, are desperate to turn promise into points.
Last weekend’s defeat to the Broncos again highlighted both their grit and their inconsistency.
The Blue and Gold will need to raise their standards in execution if they’re to upset the Roosters at CommBank Stadium.
Game Info
Date: Saturday, August 23, 2025
Kick-off: 5:15 PM AEST
Venue: CommBank Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Dillian Wells
Broadcast: Foxtel and Nine
Live Stream: Kayo & Nine Now
Team Lists
Parramatta Eels
1. Abbi Church 2. Zali Fay 3. Mia Middleton 4. Lindsay Tui 5. Martha Mataele 6. Fleur Ginn 7.Rachael Pearson 8. Elsie Albert 9. Rueben Cherrington 10. Breanna Eales 11. Boss Kapua 12. Mahalia Murphy 13. Rueben Cherrington 14. Taneka Todhunter 15. Paige Travis 16. Tess McWilliams 17. Chloe Jackson 18. Ryvrr-Lee Alo 19. Kiana Takairangi 20. Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis 21. Yasmine Baker 22. Chelsea Makira
Mia Middleton makes her return from a facial injury and slots straight into the centres, with the adaptable Fleur Ginn shifting into five-eighth to replace Rosemarie Beckett. In the forwards, Tess McWilliams drops back to the interchange while Ryvrr-Lee Alo takes on the role of 18th player this week. Cook Islands skipper Kiana Takairangi has also been listed among the reserves.
Sydney Roosters
1. Brydie Parker 2. Taina Naividi 3. Jessica Sergis 4. Isabelle Kelly 5. Jayme Fressard 6. Jocelyn Kelleher 7. Tarryn Aiken 8. Otesa Pule 9. Keeley Davis 10. Rima Butler 11. Aliyah Nasio 12. Jasmine Strange 13. Olivia Kernick 14. Mia Wood 15. Macie Carlile 16. Amber Hall 17. Eliza Lopamaua 18. Jayde Herdegen 19. Imogen Hei 20. Corban Baxter 21. Shawden Burton 22. Logan Fletcher
Corban Baxter is managing a low-grade ankle sprain and is listed on the reserves, with Brydie Parker shifting to fullback. Jayme Fressard earns a starting spot on the wing following her bench return last week, while prop Macie Carlile makes her debut appearance on the interchange.
The Game
Parramatta’s season sits on a knife’s edge. At three wins and four losses, they are still in striking distance of the top six, but their inconsistency has left them vulnerable.
Against the Broncos, their scramble defence was admirable in patches, but lapses in line speed and red zone organisation were exposed by Brisbane’s spine.
The Eels’ biggest challenge this week will be shutting down the Roosters’ edge attack. With Isabelle Kelly and Jess Sergis lining up on opposite sides, Parramatta’s outside backs cannot afford misreads. One-on-one defence will be crucial.
Kennedy & Rueben Cherrington
In attack, Rachael Pearson holds the key once more. Her kicking game will be vital in turning around the Roosters’ forward pack, while Rueben Cherrington and Kennedy Cherrington need to combine to generate second-phase opportunities. We know that the two sisters will be in the Roosters faces throughout the game, and the rest of the pack must follow them into battle.
If Parramatta continue to rely on one-out runs without variation, they risk being swallowed up by Sydney’s aggressive defensive line.
The Roosters are a team that punish errors. With Keeley Davis providing crisp service from dummy half and Tarryn Aiken probing on both sides of the ruck, the Eels must keep their defensive structures tight. Aiken is one of rugby league’s elite players, so this is easier said than done.
Tarryn Aiken
This will be a stern test of Parramatta’s credentials. To cause an upset, they must not only match Sydney physically in the middle but also show greater patience in attack.
For the Roosters, it’s about continuing their ruthless efficiency and discipline.
Prediction: Roosters by 14
Player of the Game: Isabelle Kelly
Kye
It’s the hope that kills ya! Very disappointing and gutting second half after such a strong first one. Always feels like we’re on the wrong side of NRLW records being set haha.
When she’s healthy, I would love to see Beckett replace Todhunter on the bench next week. Every time Taneka runs it from dummy half to burrow over and then drops it or gets held up, I get flashbacks to how all 3 of Rosie’s tries last year were the same move, but successful.
I didn’t mind Ginn at 6, thought Middleton had a solid debut. Martha is such a bright spot and keeps getting better. Elsie giveth and Elsie taketh, but I’m so glad we’ve got her locked up.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Parra team not only win three (!!!!) challenges, but the opposition lose theirs too lol. Hopefully some of that luck carries onto the next few weeks and next season. I know the current salary cap/CBA/expansion/whatever has made the comp so lopsided, but jeez a full season with a full healthy squad would be nice to see. It won’t be lopsided forever, and the optimist in me says we could probably make a grand final in a few years with some of the players we’ve got.
Go parra