The NRLW season kicks off on Thursday night and what a stellar season we have to look forward to with plenty of player movement making 2026 one of the most exciting yet.
The NRLW season opens up with the Sharks hosting the Knights and it is a match that should be a hard-fought defensive battle. Teams were generally very slow to fire with their attack in Round 1 last year with only one match topping 38 points. The Sharks and Knights have met three times – they have never combined for more than 37 points. The Sharks are missing Emma Verran to pregnancy while the Knights have lost key halfback Jess Southwell. Kira Dibb is a strong replacement but with Sheridan Gallagher also departing, the attack is going to take time for Newcastle. Ellie Johnston is an elite tryscoring prop with 13 tries in 33 games for the Sharks. Georgia Ravics has 20 tries in 28 games for the Sharks.
Tips
Best: Under 38.5 ($1.90)
Next: Under 32.5 ($2.90)
Tryscorer: Ellie Johnston ($14 First, $2.90 Anytime)
SGM: Ellie Johnston Try/Georgia Ravics Try ($6.10)
Last season’s runners-up the Sydney Roosters shape as one of the two best teams this season but spotting 12.5 interstate in Round 1 is madness and incredibly disrespectful of the Titans. Gold Coast have a classy backline that includes Jaime Chapman and Lauren Brown with Evania Pelite (now Isaako) back. The pack is not short on talent either with Jess Elliston, Sienna Lofipo and Georgia Hale. Gold Coast have won two of the last three meetings and this number is far too big. Phoenix-Raine Hippi scored in her only meeting with the Roosters and she has nine tries in seven NRLW appearances. Jayme Fressard has 22 tries in 30 NRLW appearances and is the top Roosters tryscoring option.
Tips
Best: Gold Coast +12.5 ($1.90)
Next: Gold Coat Win ($4.60)
Tryscorer: Phoenix-Raine Hippi ($19 First, $3.70 Anytime)
SGM: Phoenix-Raine Hippi Try/Jayme Fressard Try ($7.14)
Both teams have seen a heavy turnover of players heading into 2026 but it is the Raiders who have notably improved their roster. Sheridan Gallagher joins from the Knights to play fullback while Krystal Blackwell is an excellent addition. Bobbi Law and Charlotte Basham are both strong pickups from the Dragons. St George Illawarra have added Shenae Ciesolka and Taliah Fuimaono but will again struggle in 2026. Canberra have typically been slow starters but should have too much talent. Ellie Simpson was a revelation in her debut season with six tries in her most recent five games. Teagan Berry is one of the all-time great tryscorers with 37 tries in 41 games.
Tips
Best: Canberra +1.5 ($1.90)
Next: Canberra 13+ ($5.20)
Tryscorer: Elise Simpson ($10.50 First, $2.40 Anytime)
SGM: Elise Simpson Try/Teagan Berry Try ($4.45)
Brisbane laying 13.5 points at home to North Queensland is the best bet of the week with the defending premiers significantly improving their roster while the Cowboys have gone backwards. Jess Southwell, Shannon Mato and Lillian Yarrow have joined the premiers while the Cowboys have done little to replace the departed Kira Dibb and Krystal Blackwell along with the pregnancy pause on Jakiya Whitfeld. Brisbane have won all three meetings against the Cowboys by at least 26 with a 50-4 smash job last season. Julia Robinson has 23 tries in 28 games across the last two seasons. Tamika Upton is the all-time leading tryscorer and scored a hat-trick last year against the Cowboys. Kerri Johnson had a great first season with the Cowboys, scoring 10 tries in 13 games.
Tips
Best: Brisbane -13.5 ($1.90)
Next: Brisbane -29.5 ($5.25)
Tryscorer: Julia Robinson ($8.50 First, $1.96 Anytime)
SGM: Julia Robinson Try/Tamika Upton Try/Kerri Johnson Try ($5.22)
Round 1 games are typically low-scoring with only one of the Round 1 games last season reaching 40 points. Five of the first six Eels games tallied 36 or fewer. The first nine games of the Tigers 2025 season did not finish north of 38 – primarily due to an inept attack that is unlikely to improve this season. This total is far too big. Caitlin Turnbull scored eight tries in 10 games in a rare highlight for the Tigers. Martha Mataele finished last season with six tries in her final five games.
Tips
Best: Under 39.5 ($1.90)
Next: Under 32.5 ($3.00)
Tryscorer: Caitlin Turnbull ($15 First, $3.05 Anytime)
SGM: Caitlin Turnbull Try/Martha Mataele Try ($6.14)
Canterbury endured a difficult first season, going 3-8, and have been done no favours with another poor recruiting job that has them right in line for the wooden spoon. The Warriors finished just one win ahead but conceded 10.18ppg fewer and faded after injuries took hold. The Warriors will improve sharply with Gayle Broughton in the No.6 and Canterbury just don’t have any points in them. Patricia Maliepo had a super debut season with four tries in nine games. Payton Takimoana was a star last season with 15 tries in 11 matches.
Tips
Best: New Zealand -13.5 ($1.90)
Next: New Zealand -19.5 ($2.60)
Tryscorer: Patricia Maliepo ($16 First, $3.45 Anytime)
SGM: Patricia Maliepo Try/Payton Takimoana Try ($5.05)
