Another year, another season of the NRLW and more football for the fans, I’ll take that any day of the week!
It’s my fourth year covering the Eels NRLW side on this platform, and it’s a blessing to get the opportunity once again.
Unfortunately it was another season of so near yet do far for the Eels NRLW team in 2025, finishing in 7th place.
A disappointing finish again for sure, but 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.
The performance from the side in the trial match against the Bulldogs was impressive, with the forwards having a huge impact and our star players turning in quality performances.
Meanwhile, the Eels’ best young players were huge in the late stages of the game as the team delivered a 30-point margin.
It’s time for the 2026 season, and the Eels host a doubleheader at Commbank to get the show started.
Game Info
Date: Sunday, July 5, 2026
Kick-off: 11:50 AM AEST
Venue: Commbank Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Ethan King
Broadcast: Foxtel and Nine Gem
Live Stream: Kayo & Nine Now
Team Lists
Parramatta Eels
1. Abbi Church 2. Fleur Ginn 3. Rory Owen 4. Lindsay Tui 5. Martha Mataele 6. Cassey Tohi-Hiku 7. Rachael Pearson 8. Elsie Albert 9. Rueben Cherrington 10. Boss Kapua 11. Chloe Jackson 12. Mahalia Murphy 13. Kennedy Cherrington 14. Taneka Todhunter 15. Tess McWilliams 16. Rosemarie Beckett 17. Ryvrr-Lee Alo 18. Zali Fay 19. Fontayne Tufuga 20. Jasmin Morrissey 21. Kiana Takairangi 22. Khyliah Gray
There aren’t really any surprises with the lineup namedy Georgallis, with Fleur Ginn starting ahead of Zali Fay, while Boss Kapua will start in the front row with veteran Elsie Albert.
Keilee Joseph, whom the Eels signed from the Brisbane Broncos, is currently recovering from a knee injury from the trial match against the Bulldogs.
Layne Morgan, who showed great potential, and Jayde Herdegen are also on the sidelines, with all three players not having a confirmed return timetable.
Wests Tigers
1. Caitlin Turnbull 2. Emily Bass 3. Rikeya Horne 4. Shenai Lendill 5. Lily Rogan 6. Losana Lutu 7. Raecene McGregor 8. Sarah Togatuki 9. Salma Nour 10. Shaniece Monschau 11.Kezie Apps 12. Shaylee Bent 13. Holli Wheeler 14. Christian Pio 15. Tara Reinke 16. Faythe Manera 17. Namoe Gesa 18. Portia Bourke 19. Brooke Talataina 20. Jetaya Faifua 21. Lucyannah Luamanu-Leiataua 22. Tyla Amiatu
It’s the beginning of the new look Tigers under new head coach Craig Sandercock, who was signed to replace former NRL halfback Brett Kimmorley.
Losana Lutu will return to the NRLW after not making appearances for the club since Round 4 last season.
Rikeya Horne also returns, missing the entirety of last season due to pregnancy.
It will be an intriguing look at the halves, with their biggest recruit, Racene McGregor, playing halfback alongside Lutu.
The Game
The trial match against the Bulldogs was a flashing sign pointing at Eels winger, Martha Mataele. She scored four tries in an eye catching performance.
Martha Mataele
Each of those tries featured a near identical plan, and we should expect the side to drink from that well again against Wests. Quick play-the-ball, the ball then shifting wide right, and giving Mataele space to beat defenders one-on-one.
If the Tigers can’t find an answer for her, this could get away from them fast, as it did for the Dogs.
Rachael Pearson’s kicking is a genuine weapon, with cross-field bombs, pressuring the fullback and wingers in the corners, and general field position kicks controlling play late in sets.
Abbi Church and Cassey Tohi-Hiku provide additional support for the Eels pack, bobbing up with charges through the ruck or on the edges, bending the defence lines with strong carries.
But of course the pivotal factor is the unglamorous grind work from the forward pack that sets the platform for backline strikes.
Mahalia Murphy
With Reuben Cherrington taking the pack forward out of dummy half, Elsie Albert, Kennedy Cherrington and Boss Kapua will look to bust through the first defenders, with Chloe Jackson and Mahalia Murphy running support or hitting the edges themselves. The fast leg speed of the forwards will prove instrumental in pulling apart the Tigers’ defence.
The Tigers struggled in the 2025 season, only winning one game.
Craig Sandercock is the new coach, and their biggest off-season signings were star halfback Raecene McGregor and backrower Shaylee Bent.
It’s a squad aiming for a structural reset rather than incremental improvement.
What will be interesting to watch is the impact McGregor makes at the Tigers. At her best, she can threaten via taking on the line herself or ball play to create gaps for her runners.
The best chance for this new-look Tigers side is for McGregor to lead the charge, controlling and managing both the game and its tempo.
It’s how they competed in their trial match victory against the Dragons, with the 32-12 scoreline emphasising their dominance. Wests defended with intensity and physicality that made it uncomfortable for the Red V. Hollie Wheeler will be key to bringing that physicality and intensity to the start of the match, whilst the coach will be looking for another strong outing from Shaylee Bent.
The winner?
I expect the Eels limit their errors, maintain defensive discipline and ask questions with their ball movement, which should be the basis for a first up win in a competitive match.
Prediction: Eels by 6
Player of the Game: Kennedy Cherrington
Bring it on!