2026 Draw Debrief: NRLW Saturday Sizzlers

While they may not have banked as many wins as they they would have liked in their return season in the NRLW, the Warriors showed they will be a force to be reckoned with for many years to come with some hearty performances. Enjoying a strong home following, Round 3's match against the North Queensland Cowboys at Go Media Stadium will be their first of three home games at the venue, with their remaining two home games (outside of their Magic Round match at Geohex Park) being played at their other home base of FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton.

Round 5 - Sharks v Wests Tigers at Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga on Saturday, August 1 at  12.15pm (AEST)

All roads lead to Wagga Wagga for Round 5's NRLW Magic Round weekend, with the Sharks and Wests Tigers setting the tone for the games to come as the opening match of the round. Under new coach Craig Sandercock, the Tigers will be hoping they have made a strong start to the season and in a good position to take the fight up to the Sharks, who have featured in the finals over the past two seasons, including just missing out in the 2024 decider. 

Round 7 – Broncos v Roosters at Suncorp Stadium, Saturday, August 15 – 5.15pm (AEST)

The Broncos and Roosters will face off in a grand final rematch that is set to be a massive encounter between two powerful clubs. The two teams showed their class in an epic grand final to close out the 2025 season, with the Broncos coming from behind to claim title number four. While premiers Brisbane may have lost some firepower over the off-season, they have been boosted by the acquisition of talented half Jesse Southwell, who will benefit from the experience around her in the squad. The game will be followed by the Broncos v Warriors NRL game.

Round 8 - Bulldogs v Raiders at Belmore Sports Ground on Saturday, August 22 at 3.15pm (AEST) 

The Bulldogs took to the field against the Raiders at the club's spiritual home ground for the first time in Round 8 last year and the two teams will face off again in their 2026 Round 8 match. However, the home team keen to reverse the result after the Raiders posted a big 56-24 victory in that game, with both Simaima Taufa and Jordyn Preson scoring doubles. But with more experience in their squad after completing their inaugural season, the home side will be hoping to give their fans a reason to celebrate with a main win at the ground.

Round 9 - Titans v Raiders at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday, August 29 at 12.45pm (AEST) 

It was an epic Saturday of football the last time these two sides met at Cbus Super Stadium in a seesawing affair to close out the 2025 regular season. Needing to win to make the finals, the Titans had the wobbly start to the game, letting the improving Raiders get out to a 16-8 lead before mounting a fightback. As she has done on a number of occasions now, Titans halfback Lauren Brown stepped up to the plate to slot a game-winning field goal, slotting the match-winner in the 73rd minute to seal the 17-16 victory and a spot for her team in the post-season for the first time since making the grand final in 2023. 

• See the full NRLW draw HERE