NRLW Match Preview: Raiders v Broncos

The Green Machine are currently in seventh position following their tight 18-16 deficit against the Cowboys in Magic Round. However, the team are resilient and are hopeful that they can find their early-season form.

The Broncos are currently sitting first following their 34-4 victory against the Bulldogs in Magic Round; this sees them remain undefeated all season.

For the teams, the Raiders remain relatively unchanged; however, Jordyn Preston will make her return in the starting side after serving a one-week suspension.

For the away side, there are a couple of notable changes.

Captain and five-eighth Ali Brigginshaw has been ruled out due to suspension and will miss the next three weeks. This will see rookie Georgia Bartlett replace her in the six.

Winger Kerri Johnson returns from a shoulder injury, and Lillian Yarrow returns from concussion protocols in prop.

Talking points:

• The Broncos will play without Ali Brigginshaw for the first time this season.
• Raiders winger Elise Simpson has scored nine tries in her last 10 games.
• Sunday will be Canberra's second last home game of the season.

Last time they met:

The Raiders were defeated by the Broncos 44-28 in round four, 2025 at GIO Stadium

I'm pumped. The team is pumped to turn the season around, because we have to.

Zahara Temara #3

Key Matchup: Zahara Temara v Jesse Southwell

Sunday’s clash will see two competitive and experienced halfbacks go head-to-head in Zahara Temara and Jesse Southwell.

2026 is Southwell’s first season at the Broncos; however, she has been a standout in the NRLW since her debut in 2022, bringing plenty of flare and strike to her playing style.

With 52 points being scored and over a thousand kicking metres amassed so far this season, Southwell can change the direction and momentum of a game in the blink of an eye.

Another player who is an equally influential game-changer is her opposite number, Zahara Temara.

Since making her NRLW debut in 2018, Temara has built an impressive resume through her representative honours and on-field achievements, proving time and time again that she knows what it takes to win.

Her kicking game has long been one of her greatest strengths, averaging 1,667 kicking metres per season while maintaining a conversion success rate of 65%. Combine that with her experience and ability to control the tempo of a match, Temara will be a key figure as she looks to guide her side to victory.

With two elite halfbacks calling the shots, Sunday’s clash could well be decided by which playmaker can best seize the big moments.