NRLW Match Preview: Raiders v Roosters

The Green Machine have had a strong start to their season with back-to-back wins with a dominant 42-16 victory over the New Zealand Warriors in round two.

They were able to achieve this by controlling momentum and avoiding errors, and they will aim to carry this into round three and beyond.

Meanwhile, the Roosters are in a similar position, with back-to-back wins following their tight 12-10 victory over the Newcastle Knights last weekend.

The main focus for these two teams heading into this match will be defence. Both teams are exceptionally strong in this area; however, it will come down to which team can establish this early in the match, as to who will come out on top.

There is only one change for the Raiders on Saturday, with Ellie Brander set to make her NRLW debut off the bench with Hollie-Mae Dodd out on concussion protocols.

For the away side, it is an unchanged squad for the third week running that will travel down to Canberra.

Talking points:

• The Raiders are aiming for three straight wins at GIO Stadium since 2023.
• Ellie Brander will make her NRLW debut this weekend for the Raiders.
• Raiders winger Elise Simpson has scored seven tries in her last seven games.
• Roosters coach John Strange will become the first NRLW coach to coach 50 games.
• Roosters lock Olivia Kernick will play her 50th NRLW game.
• Saturday’s matchup features an early top four battle.

Last time they met:

The Roosters walked away victors in Round 10, 2025, with a 26-14 victory at Allianz Stadium.

Key Matchup: Mackenzie Wiki v Jayme Fressard

It will be a battle between the edge players on Saturday afternoon with Mackenzie Wiki and Jayme Fressard coming up head-to-head.

The last time these two faced off, they lined up in very different positions, with Wiki on the right edge and Fressard in the centres.

Despite the difference in positions, they both produced solid performances with Fressard accumulating 93 run metres, while for Wiki, she just edged her with 103 run metres.

With Fressard coming into her seventh NRLW season, she can be considered an experienced veteran in the league.

An Origin representative and being involved in premiership-winning matches, she understands the intensity and the pressure that comes with big games, and Saturday’s clash will be no different.

The speedster has already amassed 169 run metres across her opening two matches of the 2026 season and continues to provide a constant attacking threat with her pace and ability to find space.

Standing opposite her, Mackenzie Wiki looms as a danger on both sides of the ball and may come as under the radar for Fressard.

Entering her fourth season in the NRLW, the talented outside back is forging her own legacy while proudly carrying the Wiki surname.

Wiki has enjoyed a strong start to her 2026 campaign, crossing for three tries in her first two appearances. She has quickly established herself as one of the Raiders' most sharp attacking weapons.

With two explosive outside backs set to go head-to-head on the edge, expect plenty of speed and physicality as they bring the heat to a Canberra winter afternoon.