It's a grand final rematch to launch this weekend's round of preliminary finals, with the high-flying Roosters facing off against the Sharks.
The last time the two sides met was only two weeks ago, with the Roosters far too strong in their Round 11 match, rounding off the regular season with a 40-10 win.
However, it came at a cost, losing halfback Tarryn Aiken to an ACL injury, while rising youngster Aliyah Nasio also will sit out this game after being suspended for a shoulder charge.
The Sharks come into this game after securing a close win against the North Queensland Cowboys who were making their first final appearance.
The 24-18 result gave them the opportunity to make amends for last year's grand final loss to the Roosters where their almighty second half comeback fell just short, going down 32-28.
With the undefeated Roosters being talked up by fans expecting them to go back-to-back, the Sharks have plenty of motivation to cause an upset.
Match: Roosters v Sharks
Finals Week 2 -
home Team
Roosters
1st Position
away Team
Sharks
5th Position
Venue: Polytec Stadium, Gosford
Match broadcasters:
- WatchNRL
Team News
Roosters: Corban Baxter has been named to make her return from an ankle injury suffered in Round 7, and will replace Golden Boot winner Tarryn Aiken (knee) in the halves. Baxter will play five-eighth, with Jocelyn Kelleher shifting to halfback for her 50th NRLW game. A suspension to Aliyah Nasio has seen Taina Naividi shift from wing to the back row, with Mia Wood moving from the bench to the wing. Shawden Burton is the new face on the interchange. Jayme Fressard, Amber Hall and Jess Sergis all suffered injuries in the Round 11 win over the Sharks but have been named to play this weekend.
Sharks: No changes to the 17 that defeated North Queensland in Townsville last week but the Sharks could be set for a huge boost closer to game day. Star centre Annessa Biddle (elbow) and Jillaroos hooker Quincy Dodd (ankle) have both been named in the extended squad as they push to return from long-term injuries in Saturday's preliminary final.
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Brydie ParkerFullback for Sharks is number 1 Jada Taylor
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Mia WoodWinger for Sharks is number 2 Cassie Staples
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Centre for Roosters is number 3 Jessica SergisCentre for Sharks is number 3 Tiana Penitani Gray
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Centre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle KellyCentre for Sharks is number 4 Grace-Lee Weekes
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Winger for Roosters is number 5 Jayme FressardWinger for Sharks is number 5 Georgia Ravics
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Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Corban BaxterFive-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Emma Verran
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Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Jocelyn KelleherHalfback for Sharks is number 7 Chantay Kiria-Ratu
Forwards
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Prop for Roosters is number 8 Otesa PuleProp for Sharks is number 8 Ellie Johnston
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Keeley DavisHooker for Sharks is number 9 Georgia Hannaway
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Prop for Roosters is number 10 Rima ButlerProp for Sharks is number 10 Manilita Takapautolo
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Taina Naividi2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Talei Holmes
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2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Jasmin Strange2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Jaydika Tafua
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Olivia KernickLock for Sharks is number 13 Brooke Anderson
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Shawden BurtonInterchange for Sharks is number 14 Tyla King
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Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Macie CarlileInterchange for Sharks is number 15 Stephanie Faulkner
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Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Amber HallInterchange for Sharks is number 16 Rhiannon Byers
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Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Eliza LopamauaInterchange for Sharks is number 17 Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu
Reserves
-
Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Jayde HerdegenReplacement for Sharks is number 18 Nakia Davis-Welsh
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Reserve for Roosters is number 19 Tavarna PapaliiReserve for Sharks is number 19 Jacinta Carter
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Reserve for Roosters is number 20 Taneisha GrayReserve for Sharks is number 21 Dominique du Toit
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Reserve for Roosters is number 21 Imogen HeiReserve for Sharks is number 22 Annessa Biddle
-
Reserve for Sharks is number 23 Quincy Dodd
Roosters Ins
- Corban Baxter
- Imogen Hei
- Jayde Herdegen
- Taneisha Gray
- Tavarna Papalii
Sharks Ins
- Annessa Biddle
- Dominique du Toit
- Jacinta Carter
- Quincy Dodd
Roosters Outs
- Aliyah Nasio
- Tarryn Aiken
Sharks Ins
Match Officials
- Referee: Belinda Sharpe
- Senior Review Official: Liam Kennedy
Last updated:
Stat Attack
- The Roosters have won all four games against the Sharks.
- Sharks winger Georgia Ravics has scored 10 tries in her last 10 games.
- Roosters halfback Jocelyn Kelleher will make her 50th NRLW appearance.
- Sharks captain Tiana Penitani Gray has scored five tries in eight games against the Roosters.
- The Roosters have won six from six at Polytec Stadium.
Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.
