NRLW Match Preview: Semi-Final v Cowboys

Author: Zoe Filetti Sharks Reporter
Timestamp: Fri 19 Sep 2025, 04:27 PM

The Sharks are looking to cement themselves in a preliminary final with a win against the Cowboys in Townsville on Saturday.

24-hour squad

The teams will battle it out at Queensland Country Bank Stadium for the right to face minor premiers Sydney Roosters in a grand final qualifier next weekend.

If their Round 3 contest is anything to go by – when North Queensland broke Cronulla's hearts with a dramatic two-point win – a fiery encounter is in store.

Come Saturday, the Sharks are determined to end the Cowboys' season and return to winning form, having finished the regular season with back-to-back losses following four consecutive victories between rounds six and 10.

NRLW head coach Tony Herman is confident his team have what it takes to bounce back, saying that simple fixes will put them on track.

"I think we've just got to believe in our footy, believe in ourselves, and believe in the person inside and outside you," Herman said.

While Cronulla have suffered repeated injuries throughout the season, the Cowboys have fielded close to a full-strength squad week to week.

"They're a really good footy side, they're a really gritty side, they don't have any injuries at all so they're probably in a different space to us… they've got some selection headaches," Herman continued.

Cronulla's journey to the finals has been marked by the rise of several debutantes, who have stepped up amid the injury chaos and left their mark.

"We're super proud of them – obviously we've had some really tough games, and our young girls have stepped up and been awesome for us," prop Ellie Johnston said.

"I'm so excited for them to experience semis this weekend. It's something they'll always remember.

"We're just trying to grow better as a team each week and trying to do our one percenters at training to be the best we can be for Saturday."

Herman added: "We lost a lot of girls to season-ending (injuries) earlier on, so we've got the players we've got. I think the girls have really jumped on board with that and are playing really well for each other."

An eye-catching match-up will see star fullbacks Jada Taylor (Sharks) and Jakiya Whitfeld (Cowboys) take the stage.

Taylor's return after a year on the sidelines has been nothing short of electric, with alarm bells ringing for the opposition whenever the ball enters her hands. Similarly, Whitfeld's speed and agility will be a test for Cronulla's defence.

Kick-off is scheduled for 4.15pm. Watch live on 9, 9 Now, Foxtel and Kayo.

See the team lists below.

Finals Week 1 - Finals Week 1 - Saturday 20 Sep

6:15 am

Cowboys

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Jakiya Whitfeld

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Jada Taylor
Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Krystal Blackwell

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Cassie Staples
Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Abigail Roache

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Tiana Penitani Gray
Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Jasmine Peters

Centre for Sharks is number 4 Grace-Lee Weekes
Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Francesca Goldthorp

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Georgia Ravics
Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Kirra Dibb

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Emma Verran
Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Tahlulah Tillett

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Chantay Kiria-Ratu

Forwards

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Lillian Yarrow

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Ellie Johnston
Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Emma Manzelmann

Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Georgia Hannaway
Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Makenzie Weale

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Manilita Takapautolo
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Tallisha Harden

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Talei Holmes
2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 China Polata

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Jaydika Tafua
Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Bree Chester

Lock for Sharks is number 13 Brooke Anderson

Interchange

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Alisha Foord

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Tyla King
Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Lily Peacock

Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Rhiannon Byers
Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Stephanie Faulkner
Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Essay Banu

Interchange for Sharks is number 17 Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu

Reserves

Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell

Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Nakia Davis-Welsh
Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Tafao Asaua

Reserve for Sharks is number 19 Jacinta Carter