The Sydney Roosters NRLW side produced a dominant performance to defeat the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks 28-4 in a pre-season trial at Leichhardt Oval on Saturday evening.
Played across three 20-minute periods in chilly conditions, the Roosters overcame an early deficit before running in seven unanswered tries to open their 2026 campaign in impressive fashion.
The Sharks struck first and led 4-0 at the main break after crossing on their left edge, but it was a vastly different Roosters outfit that emerged after the first break.
Sariah Paki helped set the tone early in the contest with a thumping tackle on Sharks prop Ellie Johnston, forcing an error and handing the Roosters valuable field position as they searched for their first points.
The breakthrough arrived shortly after the restart. Paki found space down the left edge and produced a clever offload to Talea Tonga, who regathered brilliantly before linking with Nikiah Campbell to finish in the corner and level the scores.
Minutes later the Roosters struck again. Jessica Sergis exploded down the right touchline before stepping back inside and finding Brydie Parker in support, racing away to score beside the posts.
The Tricolours were beginning to find their rhythm and soon added another. Olivia Kernick shifted the ball left before Tonga spotted space and delivered a superb cut-out pass to Logan Fletcher, who muscled her way through multiple defenders to score in the corner.
The points continued to flow. Following a six-again call, Corban Baxter swept into the backline and combined with Taneisha Grey and Mia Wood before Parker finished off the movement for her second try of the evening.
After the second break, Gray got the reward for her strong performance through the middle, crashing over on the right edge to extend the Roosters' advantage.
The try of the match came soon after. After probing the right side, the Roosters shifted back to the left where Keighley Simpson produced a perfectly weighted kick. Fletcher timed her run to perfection, soaring above the defence before planting the ball down spectacularly in the corner.
Fletcher wasn't finished there. The exciting winger completed her double moments later when Tonga fired a long spiral pass to Jasmin Strange, who drew in the defence before releasing Fletcher untouched down the sideline.The Roosters eventually ran out 28-4 winners, with Fletcher's double, Gray's impact through the middle and Tonga's influence after moving into the halves among the standout performances of the night.
Sydney will now take plenty of confidence from the hitout as preparations continue for the 2026 NRLW season
