As it happened: Warriors triumph; Knights storm home, Sharks win derby

Two rugby league heartlands play host to vital Indigenous Round clashes on Saturday as we head towards the business end of the season.

The Dragons welcomed the Sharks to Jubilee Stadium before the Knights and Wests Tigers did battle at McDonald Jones Stadium, which last weekend hosted the inaugural NRLW Magic Round.

The Saturday triple finished with NRLW newcomers the Bulldogs squaring off against the Warriors, who returned to the competition in 2025 after a four-year absence.

Bulldogs v Warriors at Accor Stadium

Fulltime summary

The Warriors have proved too good for an injury hit Bulldogs to record the club’s biggest NRLW win after a dominant second half performance. Leading 12-6 at halftime, the Warriors were in total control from the re-start and have now won back-to-back games in Australia for the first time. Five-eighth Patricia Maliepo was the star and finished with a personal haul of 18 points from two tries and five goals. Halfback Emily Curtain also had an influence on the game, laying on two tries from kicks.

63 min: The Bulldogs have suffered a massive blow after losing halfback Tayla Preston with a knee injury. Five-eighth Ash Quinlan had only just come from the field with a hamstring injury when Preston got her leg tangled with Warriors lock Laishon Albert-Jones and was taken off on a medicab.

60 min: Wetere got her second try a few minutes later after flying high to catch a cross-field kick from Curtain. Maliepo converted. Warriors 34 Bulldogs 6.

56 min: Wetere finally got her try after an overhead basketball type pass from Ikenasio gave her an unchallenged run to the tryline. Maliepo converted. Warriors 26 Bulldogs 6.

53 min: Warriors interchange forward Matekino Gray stamped her mark on the match with a crunching tackle on Bulldogs prop Hope Millard that forced a knock on.

51 min: Preston is doing everything to get the Bulldogs back in the game, kicking a 40/30 to put the home team in an attacking position.

48 min: Maliepo grabbed her second try after sustained pressure near the Bulldogs tryline and quick hands created an overlap on the left edge. Maliepo converted. Warriors 22 Bulldogs 6.

44 min: Ikenasio made amends when she chased a grubber by Curtain into the Bulldogs in-goal and pounced as Bulldogs winger Elizabeth McGregor waited for the ball to travel dead. Maliepo converted from out wide. Warriors 18 Bulldogs 6.

42 min: The Warriors started the second half like they did the first with Tyra Wetere crossing in the corner but the try was disallowed after replays showed the ball had touched the hand of centre Tysha Ikenasio on the way through and travelled forward.

The Bulldogs have lost prop Teagan Dymock with a foot injury, Dymock is on crutches and will undergo scans.

Halftime summary

The Warriors got off to a flying start and finished the half on top but ill discipline allowed the Bulldogs back into the match and the home team took advantage. Warriors five-eighth Patricia Maliepo has been in everything, scoring a try and almost getting a second before the break. The kicking games of Maliepo and Bulldogs halfback Tayla Preston will be crucial.

35 min: The Warriors had scoring chances in the final minute before halftime but an Andie Robinson tackle and a knocked down pass by winger Vani Buleki denied them another try.

33 min: A Maliepo penalty goal extended the Warriors lead after back to back penalties by the Bulldogs. Warriors 12 Bulldogs 6

32 min: Fijian forward Latisha Smythe was placed on report for dangerous contact after backing into Warriors halfback Emily Curtain as she kicked the ball.

24 min: The Warriors have been putting themselves under pressure with five errors and three penalties and the Bulldogs finally made them pay when Pani Hopoate crashed over to score. Tayla Preston converted. Warriors 10 Bulldogs 6.

13 min: After defending three consecutive penalties near their own line, the Warriors scored again with Maliepo dummying through the Bulldogs defence to crossing for a brilliant solo try. Maliepo converted her own try. Warriors 10 Bulldogs 0.

3 min: The Warriors have got off to a flier in the historic first clash between the NRLW newcomers with winger Payton Takimoana scoring in the corner. Five-eighth Patricia Maliepo missed the conversion after hitting the post. Warriors 4 Bulldogs 0.

Final team news

Bulldogs: Alexis Tauaneai’s return from a hamstring injury has been put on hold, with the lock dropping out of the squad in Friday’s 24-hour update. The change sees shift to lock and Tegan Dymock come into the side at prop. Shannon Muru moves from the back row to the centres, with Monica Tagoai placed in the concussion protocol. Pauline Suli-Ruka moves from the bench to start at second row. Veteran Holli Wheeler dropped off the extended squad on Friday. Shaquaylah Mahakitau-Monschau is the 18th player.

Warriors: No changes to the starting side after last week’s victory over the Cowboys, with Tyra Wetere retaining her place on the wing after an impressive debut. Matekino Gray is set to make her return from a concussion via the interchange. No late changes with Avery-Rose Carmont the 18th player.

Knights v Wests Tigers at McDonald Jones Stadium

Fulltime wrap

The Knights have reaffirmed their premiership credentials after storming home to beat Wests Tigers at McDonald Jones Stadium. Leading 10-6 at halftime, the Knights scored four unanswered tries in the second term against a dogged Tigers outfit. Halfback Jesse Southwell was arguably the most influential figure in the win but the star was Indigenous and Samoan forward Evan McEwan, who scored two late tries. After leading the team out for the kick-off, the rookie secondrower finished the game as a contest by charging over to score in the 64th and 69th minutes. Southwell missed her first conversion attempt of the season, with the NRLW record for successive goals now standing at 24.

69 min: McEwan, who also represented her Indigenous heritage in February’s All Stars match, scored her second try after crossing in the corner to complete a 30-6 win for the Knights. Southwell’s conversion attempt hit the uprights. Knights 30 Tigers 6.

64 min: A big weekend for the McEwan siblings, with Evah, the Samoan secondrower, making sure that brother Jermaine doesn’t have bragging rights after charging over for another Knights try. Jermaine scored for the Knights in Friday night’s 48-12 loss to Canberra but Evah can celebrate a win as well. Southwell converted. Knights 26 Tigers 6. 

56 min: The Knights are finishing strong, with five-eighth Georgia Roche combining with centre Tenika Willison to put winger Tess Staines over in the corner against her former club. Southwell missed the conversion. Knights 20 Tigers 6.

50 min: Rookie Knights forward Sienna Yeo has got her first NRLW try after crashing through an attempted tackle by the smaller Savill to score. Southwell converted. Knights 16 Tigers 6. 

41 min: Chelsea Savill was held up over the line as Wests Tigers build pressure.

38 min: Jules Kirkpatrick is on report for a hip drop tackle on Apps.

Halftime summary

The Knights lead 10-6 at the break but there is little between the teams after 35 minutes, with desperate defence and big hits the order of the day at McDonald Jones Stadium. The Tigers have a higher completion rate and more possession but Newcastle right edge of Jesse Southwell, Shanice Parker and Sheridan Gallagher has caused trouble for the defence, resulting in two tries. Gallagher (144m) tops the run metres after scoring two tries and also making a long-range break followed by captain Yasmin Clydsdale (116m). For the Tigers, co-captains Jillaroos forwards Kezie Apps (82m) and Sarah Togatuki (87m) lead the way.

Breaking: Jesse Southwell’s goal kicking streak has ended, with the Newcastle sharpshooter setting a new NRLW record of 24 consecutive goals. Southwell missed her first shot at goal this season, having landed her previous 22 attempts. She had kicked 24 consecutive goals, including two last season. The previous NRLW record was 11 consecutive goals by Broncos back Meg Ward.

17 min: Gallagher has her second try from a set piece after the Knights won a scrum 20m out from the Tigers line and Southwell combined with Parker to send the cross-code star over. Southwell missed the conversion attempt from out wide. Knights 10 Tigers 6. 

12 min: Emily Bass has hit back for the Tigers after snatching the ball from the grasp of Knights winger Tess Staines as she fielded a kick from Faythe Manera and racing over to score. Bass converted her own try. Knights 6 Tigers 6.

4 min: Knights winger Sheridan Gallagher has opened the scoring after captain Yasmin Clydsdale was held up over the tryline by Wests Tigers winger Caitlin Turnbull following a 35m bust through the ruck. Halfback Jesse Southwell combined with fullback Bo Vette-Welsh before Shanice Parker tapped on the ball for Gallagher, who fended off Tigers halfback Evie McGrath to score. Southwell landed her 24th successive conversion from out wide. Knights 6 Tigers 0.

Final team news

Knights: Evah McEwen comes straight back into the starting side in her return from suspension in the only change to the team that beat Canberra last week. Jules Kirkpatrick reverts to the bench as a result, with Joeli Morris listed in the reserves. The Knights have won both games against Wests Tigers by at least 20 points. Joeli Morris is 18th player.

Wests Tigers: Losana Lutu remains sidelined with a virus so Evie McGrath will again partner Faythe Manera in the halves and Salma Nour starts at hooker. Portia Bourke has been named 18th player after linking up with the club prior to last week’s Harvey Norman Rising Talent Invitational in Newcastle.

Dragons v Sharks at Jubilee Stadium

Fulltime summary

Just weeks after being told her season was over, Jillaroos star Emma Verran has returned to lead the Sharks to a 20-6 win against the Dragons in the opening match of the inaugural NRLW Indigenous Round.

Verran scored the opening try and threw the final pass for three of her side’s four other tries in a stunning comeback in which she also ran 174m with the ball and made seven tackle breaks.

Sharks centre Anessa Biddle ran a game high 235m, including 115 post contact metres, despite spending 10 minutes in the sinbin for dangerous contact on Dragons veteran Maddie Studdon.

Halfback Chantay Kiria-Ratu had her best game since joining Cronulla from the Gold Coast, where she suffered a season ending knee injury last season.

Despite the defeat, there were also positive signs for the Dragons, whose undermanned side included five members of the NSW U19s team after handing NRLW debuts to hooker Tori Shipton and forward Tahlia O’Brien. Winger Maria Paseka also scored her first NRLW try.

St George Illawarra coach Nathan Cross will welcome back captain Raecene McGregor and star fullback Teagan Berry after both missed the derby clash due to suspension.

78 min: Raviks secured the win after Kiria-Ratu and Verran combined on the right edge to put the winger over for her seventh try in six matches. Sharks 20 Dragons 6.

73 min: Rookie winger Maria Paseka has scored her first NRLW try after slicing between the Sharks left edge defence of Grace-Lee Weekes and Staples before beating Verrans. With the line open in front of her, the NSW U19s star punched the air before finishing her 70m try. Reh converted. Sharks 16 Dragons 6.

58 min: The Dragons were offside from the kick off and conceded a penalty on halfway.

56 min: Staples has got her second after her Fiji Bulikula captain and team-mate offloaded in heavy traffic and five-eighth Georgia Hannaway switched play to the left for Verran to throw another long pass to the dual international. Sharks 16 Dragons 0. 

52 min: Great scrambling defence has held the Dragons out and the Sharks go back on the attack, forcing St George Illawarra fullback Tyra Ekepati to make a try saving tackle on Raviks after Kiria-Ratu ran on the last tackle and combined with Verran and Biddle to create space on their right edge.

50 min: The Dragons are still in the game and good defensive pressure has been rewarded with a Sharks error near their own line.

36 min: Kiria-Ratu has immediately put the Sharks on the front foot in the second half with her driving kick-off forcing Kasey Reh to play at the ball and leading to a goal-line drop out.

Halftime summary

Star fullback Emma Verran and star halfback Chantay Kiria-Ratu have inspired a dominant first half performance by the Sharks against an undermanned and youthful Dragons side. Verran, whose season was feared to be over after she suffered a foot injury two weeks ago, scored the first try and laid on another for Cassie Staples, while Kiria-Ratu’s kicking game not only produced a try for Georgia Raviks but has kept the Dragons under pressure for much of the opening 45 minutes. Yet despite making 52 more tackles than the Sharks, St George Illawarra are still in the game and trail by just 12 points.

35 min: Biddle returns from the sinbin just before the halftime siren as the Sharks hang on to maintain their 12-0 lead going into the break.

32 min: Dodd has limped from the field with an ankle injury. Meanwhile Carter has passed her HIA.

26 min: Sharks hooker Quincy Dodd is on report for a high shot on Dragons forward Jamilee McGregor, who has been sent from the field for a HIA.

25 min: Biddle has been sent to the sinbin for dangerous contact after shooting out of the defensive line to tackle Maddie Studdon.

24 min: Dragons debutants Tori Shipton and Tahlia O’Brien have been injected into the match for their first taste of NRLW action and the NSW U19s representatives have made an immediate impact.

17 min: Fijian star Cassie Staples crosses for Cronulla’s third try after a long overhead pass from Verran to take advantage of space out wide after sustained pressure on the Dragons line. Sharks 12 Dragons 0.

13 min: Carter has been taken off for a HIA.

12 min: Sharks prop Jacinta Carter is on report for a high shot.

8 min: The Sharks have gone back to back after winger Georgia Ravics flew above Jayme Millard to catch a pin-point Kiria-Ratu bomb and score. Sharks 8 Dragons 0.

5 min: Emma Verran has made an immediate impact in her return from a foot injury after halfback Chantay Kiria-Ratu combined with centre Anessa Biddle to create space for the star fullback to score the opening try. Kiria-Ratu missed the conversion from out wide. Sharks 4 Dragons 0.

Here’s some articles on today’s clash worth revisiting ahead of kick-off:

Final team news:

Dragons: Maddie Studdon will make a shock recall as the Red V navigate a torrid injury toll. The veteran has been playing for the Steelers in the Harvey Norman Women’s Premiership and will line up at five-eighth for her first NRLW game since 2023. Kasey Reh will make her return from a concussion at halfback. Raecene McGregor (suspension) and Margot Vella (knee) will miss the game. NSW Under 19s representative Tori Shipton will make her debut off the bench. Mackenzie Lear is 18th player.

Local girl Shipton presented debut jersey 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/zU7V739nAt

— St George Illawarra Dragons (@NRL_Dragons) August 8, 2025

Sharks: A huge in for Cronulla as they also battle an overflowing casualty ward, with Jillaroos star Emma Verran cleared to make her return from a foot injury at fullback. Grace-Lee Weekes has named at centre in place of skipper Tiana Penitani Gray (head knock). Annessa Biddle returns to the centres and is set to battle through a shoulder injury.