NRLW Match Preview: Round 8 v Eels

Author: Zoe Filetti Sharks Reporter
Timestamp: Sat 22 Aug 2026, 06:15 PM

After failing to come out the victors in a must win clash against the Cowboys, the Sharks look ahead to Sunday night where they can hopefully snatch their second win of the season against the last placed Eels.

What started as an exciting spectacle, ended in heartbreak once more for Cronulla, who continued to face adversity leading up to the match. Despite starting strong, poor discipline allowed North Queensland to pile on a 30-18 win.

“It was one of those games, once we sort of got into it we looked good, but things just went against us and we didn’t recover,” Coach Tony Herman said.

Though, there were promising signs for the club's future, as debutant Marewa Samson proved how strong she is both in attack and defence, putting some big shots on some big names.

“I thought she took it with both hands, she had a really good game, really proud of her,” Herman added.

Samson's fellow recent debutants Koffi Brookfield and Milla Elaro also shined, now consistently being picked for the squad a third week in a row. Elaro has more NRLW tries than games, with three in just two matches.

Up against an Eels outfit that are in a similar position, Cronulla are hoping that Sunday evening will be an even battle, and that a win at home can give them the confidence to play ‘Sharks’ footy in the remaining four games.

Though only 19, Brookfield has the spark the side needs in slumps of fatigue, and each week is hoping to inject more energy as she enters the field.

“(I want to) Bring on energy… and just be that little firecracker that comes out and sparks the whole team, hopefully it happens this week but if not, we just keep going,” the 2025 NSW Women's Premiership winner added.

The hosts’ last encounter against Parramatta was over a year ago, in round one of 2025, also played at Ocean Protect Stadium, the blue and gold taking out an 18-16 win in a nail-biting thriller. If this is an indication of how Sunday will play out, the fans are in for a spectacle.

Rhiannon Byers slots into the second-row, coming back from injury just in time to take the place of Jaydika Tafua, who is out with a fractured throat.

The matchup to watch is between Byers and her opposing number 12 Mahalia Murphy. Byer's aim is to run hard, hit the holes, and get the simple work done, which she has perfected. Murphy on the other hand, brings the expertise and football knowledge to steer her side around the field.

Gates open at 3:55pm at Ocean Protect Stadium tomorrow, with the Women's Premiership Sharks playing Parramatta in the curtain-raiser at 4:00pm.

Followed by the NRLW Sharks also entertaining the Eels at 6:15pm.

You can purchase tickets for the double-header HERE.

See the 24-hour team lists below.

Round 8 - Round 8 - Sunday 23 Aug

8:15 am

Sharks

Eels

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Jada Taylor

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Abbi Church
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Milla Elaro

Winger for Eels is number 2 Zali Fay
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Tiana Penitani Gray

Centre for Eels is number 3 Rory Owen
Centre for Sharks is number 4 Cassie Staples

Centre for Eels is number 4 Jasmin Morrissey
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Marewakiterangi Samson

Winger for Eels is number 5 Martha Mataele
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 21 Chantay Kiria-Ratu

Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Cassey Tohi-Hiku
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Madison Ashby

Halfback for Eels is number 7 Rachael Pearson

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Ellie Johnston

Prop for Eels is number 8 Elsie Albert
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Quincy Dodd

Hooker for Eels is number 9 Taneka Todhunter
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Manilita Takapautolo

Prop for Eels is number 10 Boss Kapua
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Rhiannon Byers

2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Fontayne Tufuga
2nd Row for Sharks is number 17 Jacinta Carter

2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Mahalia Murphy
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu

Lock for Eels is number 13 Keilee Joseph

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Koffi Brookfield

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Layne Morgan
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Tegan Dymock

Interchange for Eels is number 15 Ryvrr-Lee Alo
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Caitlan Johnston-Green

Interchange for Eels is number 16 Chloe Jackson
Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Talei Holmes

Interchange for Eels is number 17 Khyliah Gray

Reserves

Replacement for Sharks is number 22 Filomina Hanisi

Replacement for Eels is number 18 Jayde Herdegen
Reserve for Sharks is number 19 Leilani Ahsam

Reserve for Eels is number 19 Tess McWilliams