NRLW Match Preview: Round 9 v Roosters

Author: Zoe Filetti Sharks Reporter
Timestamp: Fri 28 Aug 2026, 03:15 PM

The Sharks can't catch a break this season with more injuries and a suspension popping up ahead of their battle against the first-placed Roosters tomorrow.

Cronulla Vice-Captain and Star hooker, Quincy Dodd, broke her arm in last week's brutal loss to the Eels and will be out for 2-4 weeks.

The Jillaroos and Indigenous All Star rep’s arm fracture keeps Cronulla’s casualty ward tally in the double digits.

Five-eighth Georgia Hannaway was named to return on Tuesday in the hope she’d recover in time, but Hannaway has again been ruled out because of an ankle injury.

Captain Tiana Penitani Gray highlighted that this tough period is not a reflection of the club, and team.

“(We) never want to make excuses, but when we’ve built combinations over the years with those experienced players, it does hurt you, especially in a competition like this, where any team can beat anyone on any given day.”

Another big loss for the round 9 clash, non-injury related, is the suspension of star prop Ellie Johnston, who is out for one game following a hip-drop tackle charge.

However, there is always light in these adverse situations, and this weekend Olivia Herman will make her NRLW debut named on the bench, with Koffi Brookfield starting at hooker in place of Dodd.

Olivia is the daughter of NRLW head coach Tony Herman, and a Cronulla Caringbah junior, who has been involved in the club's pathways teams, playing in the Lisa Fiaola and Tarsha Gale cups, as well as being a part of the NSW Women's Premiership winning side in 2025, alongside Brookfield and Marewa Samson, who have also debuted this season.

Cronulla will have had five NRLW debutants in 2026 after tomorrow's battle, and all have had to learn some tough lessons this season.

“If we keep a lot of these young players, the club’s going to be in a really good position, these are some valuable lessons that you have to learn and go through to be able to grow from,” Penitani Gray added.

Up against a flawless Roosters outfit, who are undefeated in 2026 so far, Cronulla know they have a big task ahead of them.

Their last encounter was the 2025 preliminary final, which saw a Jocelyn Kelleher field goal, in the dying minutes, secure the tri-colours a spot in the grand final.

What could be described as heartbreak for the Sharks, hasn’t left their minds, and though a finals campaign is now out of reach, Tony Herman’s squad will be out to avenge that loss.

Kickoff for the preliminary final rematch is at 3:15pm tomorrow at Allianz Stadium.

See the two 24-hour team lists below.

Round 9 - Round 9 - Saturday 29 Aug

5:15 am

Roosters

Sharks

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Corban Baxter

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Jada Taylor
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Brydie Parker

Winger for Sharks is number 2 Cassie Staples
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Jessica Sergis

Centre for Sharks is number 3 Tiana Penitani Gray
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle Kelly

Centre for Sharks is number 17 China Polata
Winger for Roosters is number 5 Jayme Fressard

Winger for Sharks is number 5 Milla Elaro
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Jocelyn Kelleher

Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 4 Madison Ashby
Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Tarryn Aiken

Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Chantay Kiria-Ratu

Forwards

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Millie Elliott

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Caitlan Johnston-Green
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Keeley Nizza

Hooker for Sharks is number 14 Koffi Brookfield
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Otesa Pule

Prop for Sharks is number 10 Manilita Takapautolo
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Sariah Paki

2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Rhiannon Byers
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Jasmin Strange

2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 Talei Holmes
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Olivia Kernick

Lock for Sharks is number 15 Tegan Dymock

Interchange

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Taina Naividi

Interchange for Sharks is number 13 Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Aliyah Nasio

Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Jacinta Carter
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Rima Butler

Interchange for Sharks is number 19 Olivia Herman
Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Amber Hall

Interchange for Sharks is number 22 Filomina Hanisi

Reserves

Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Taneisha Gray

Replacement for Sharks is number 18 Leilani Ahsam
Reserve for Roosters is number 19 Mia Wood

Reserve for Sharks is number 21 Marewakiterangi Samson