NRLW 2026, Round 5, Late Mail, team lists, updates, late changes, injuries

NRLW Late Mail: Magic Round - Penitani Gray returns; Aiken in the mix

Author: NRL.com
Timestamp: Fri 31 Jul 2026, 11:50 AM

Cronulla captain Tiana Penitani Gray is on track to play her 50th NRLW game after overcoming a quad injury that has sidelined her for the past two weeks.

Initially named in the extended squad, the Jillaroos star came into the Sharks side in Friday's team update ahead of the Magic Round clash with the Tigers.

Kiwi Ferns stars Mele Hufanga and Abigail Roache are also on track to return from injury during NRLW Magic Round after their comeback bids fell short last week.

Hufanga is set to start in the centres for the Warriors' clash with the Titans, while Roache will line up for North Queensland's battle with the Raiders.

Roosters halfback Tarryn Aiken is also in the mix to return from a shoulder injury as the NRLW competition descends on Wagga Wagga for the weekend.

See all the official team lists, updates and injury news for Round 5 of the 2026 NRLW Telstra Premiership.

NRLW Late Mail: Round 5

Sharks v Wests Tigers, Saturday 11.35am at Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga

Round 5 - Round 5 - Saturday 1 Aug

1:35 am

Sharks

Wests Tigers

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Sharks is number 1 Jada Taylor

Fullback for Wests Tigers is number 1 Caitlin Turnbull
Winger for Sharks is number 2 Cassie Staples

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 2 Emily Bass
Centre for Sharks is number 3 Madison Higgins-Ashby

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 3 Namoe Gesa
Centre for Sharks is number 22 Tiana Penitani Gray

Centre for Wests Tigers is number 4 Shenai Lendill
Winger for Sharks is number 5 Georgia Ravics

Winger for Wests Tigers is number 5 Lily Rogan
Five-Eighth for Sharks is number 6 Georgia Hannaway

Five-Eighth for Wests Tigers is number 6 Faythe Manera
Halfback for Sharks is number 7 Chantay Kiria-Ratu

Halfback for Wests Tigers is number 7 Raecene McGregor

Forwards

Prop for Sharks is number 8 Ellie Johnston

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 8 Sarah Togatuki
Hooker for Sharks is number 9 Quincy Dodd

Hooker for Wests Tigers is number 9 Salma Nour
Prop for Sharks is number 10 Caitlan Johnston-Green

Prop for Wests Tigers is number 10 Shaniece Monschau
2nd Row for Sharks is number 11 Manilita Takapautolo

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 11 Kezie Apps
2nd Row for Sharks is number 12 China Polata

2nd Row for Wests Tigers is number 12 Shaylee Bent
Lock for Sharks is number 13 Najvada George

Lock for Wests Tigers is number 13 Holli Wheeler

Interchange

Interchange for Sharks is number 14 Anne-Marie Kiria-Ratu

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 14 Christian Pio
Interchange for Sharks is number 15 Tegan Dymock

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 16 Harmony Crichton
Interchange for Sharks is number 16 Jaydika Tafua

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 20 Leah Ollerton
Interchange for Sharks is number 18 Rhiannon Byers

Interchange for Wests Tigers is number 22 Tyla Amiatu

Reserves

Replacement for Sharks is number 21 Filomina Hanisi

Replacement for Wests Tigers is number 17 Brooke Talataina
Reserve for Sharks is number 20 Koffi Brookfield

Reserve for Wests Tigers is number 21 Losana Lutu

Filomina Hanisi
Koffi Brookfield
Tiana Penitani Gray

Leah Ollerton
Losana Lutu
Tyla Amiatu

Annessa Biddle
Jacinta Carter

Portia Bourke
Tara Reinke

Match Officials

Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 7/31/2026 1:54:19 AM

Sharks: Tiana Penitani Gray is on track to make her return from a quad injury and came into the starting side in Friday's 24-hour update after initially being named in the reserves. Penitani Gray replaces Annessa Biddle in the centres, who succumbs to a leg injury suffered last week. Rhiannon Byers also came on to the bench in Friday's update in place of Jacinta Carter while Filomina Hanisi remains in the extended squad as she looks to play her first game since tearing her ACL in Round 1 last year. Penitani Gray and hooker Quincy Dodd will each play their 50th NRLW match on Saturday.

Wests Tigers: Five-eighth Losana Lutu is on track to play her first game since Round 1 after being cleared of a shoulder injury. The playmaker remains in the extended squad after Friday's team update but looks set to come into the starting side on game day. That would see Faythe Manera shift to the interchange. There were two changes to the bench in Friday's team update, Leah Ollerton and Tyla Amiatu added in place of Brooke Talataina and Portia Bourke.

Dragons v Roosters, Saturday 1.25pm Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga

Round 5 - Round 5 - Saturday 1 Aug

3:25 am

Dragons

Roosters

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Dragons is number 1 Teagan Berry

Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Brydie Parker
Winger for Dragons is number 2 Maria Paseka

Winger for Roosters is number 2 Taina Naividi
Centre for Dragons is number 3 Shenae Ciesiolka

Centre for Roosters is number 3 Jessica Sergis
Centre for Dragons is number 4 Tyra Ekepati

Centre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle Kelly
Winger for Dragons is number 5 Jayme Millard

Winger for Roosters is number 5 Jayme Fressard
Five-Eighth for Dragons is number 6 Taliah Fuimaono

Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 6 Jocelyn Kelleher
Halfback for Dragons is number 7 Kasey Reh

Halfback for Roosters is number 7 Corban Baxter

Forwards

Prop for Dragons is number 8 Amelia Huakau

Prop for Roosters is number 8 Millie Elliott
Hooker for Dragons is number 9 Brooke Anderson

Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Keeley Nizza
Prop for Dragons is number 10 Ruby-Jean Kennard-Ellis

Prop for Roosters is number 10 Otesa Pule
2nd Row for Dragons is number 11 Montana Clifford

2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Sariah Paki
2nd Row for Dragons is number 12 Ella Koster

2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Jasmin Strange
Lock for Dragons is number 13 Hannah Southwell

Lock for Roosters is number 13 Olivia Kernick

Interchange

Interchange for Dragons is number 14 Zali Hopkins

Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Shawden Burton
Interchange for Dragons is number 15 Lavinia Kitai

Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Aliyah Nasio
Interchange for Dragons is number 16 Ahlivia Ingram

Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Rima Butler
Interchange for Dragons is number 17 Tahlia O'Brien

Interchange for Roosters is number 17 Amber Hall

Reserves

Replacement for Dragons is number 18 Nita Maynard-Perrin

Replacement for Roosters is number 18 Mia Wood
Reserve for Dragons is number 19 Charis Toli

Reserve for Roosters is number 19 Tarryn Aiken
Reserve for Dragons is number 20 Tori Shipton

Reserve for Roosters is number 20 Nikiah Campbell
Reserve for Dragons is number 21 Trinity Tauaneai

Reserve for Roosters is number 21 Talea Tonga
Reserve for Dragons is number 22 Arabella McKenzie

Reserve for Roosters is number 22 Tatum Bird

Ahlivia Ingram
Charis Toli
Lavinia Kitai
Maria Paseka
Nita Maynard-Perrin

Taina Naividi
Talea Tonga
Tarryn Aiken
Tatum Bird

Madison Mulhall

Match Officials

Senior Review Official: Peter Gough

Last updated: 7/29/2026 3:34:12 AM

Dragons: Maria Paseka is on track to return from a hamstring injury and will line up on the wing. The youngster's comeback will prompt a minor reshuffle, with Tyra Ekepati to start at centre and Tahlia O'Brien shifting to the interchange. Amelia Huakau is set to start at prop in place of Maddison Mulhall, who injured her ACL last week, while Lavinia Kitai and Ahlivia Ingram are the new faces on the bench.

Roosters: Tarryn Aiken remains in the reserves as she pushes to return from a shoulder injury. The Maroons and Jillaroos star will slot into halfback if she does take the field, with Corban Baxter to shift to fullback. Fijian winger Taina Naividi is on track for her first match of the season after recovering from an ACL tear suffered on the eve of last year's grand final.

Raiders v Cowboys, Saturday 3.15pm at Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga

Round 5 - Round 5 - Saturday 1 Aug

5:15 am

Raiders

Cowboys

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Raiders is number 1 Sheridan Gallagher

Fullback for Cowboys is number 1 Francesca Goldthorp
Winger for Raiders is number 2 Elise Simpson

Winger for Cowboys is number 2 Charlize Lloyd-Phillips
Centre for Raiders is number 3 Leianne Tufuga

Centre for Cowboys is number 3 Abigail Roache
Centre for Raiders is number 4 Isabella Waterman

Centre for Cowboys is number 4 Jasmine Peters
Winger for Raiders is number 5 Mackenzie Wiki

Winger for Cowboys is number 5 Margot Vella
Five-Eighth for Raiders is number 6 Krystal Blackwell

Five-Eighth for Cowboys is number 6 Tallara Bamblett
Halfback for Raiders is number 7 Zahara Temara

Halfback for Cowboys is number 7 Rosie Kelly

Forwards

Prop for Raiders is number 8 Chloe Saunders

Prop for Cowboys is number 8 Essay Banu
Hooker for Raiders is number 9 Chanté Temara

Hooker for Cowboys is number 9 Emma Manzelmann
Prop for Raiders is number 10 Sophie Holyman

Prop for Cowboys is number 10 Makenzie Weale
2nd Row for Raiders is number 11 Hollie-Mae Dodd

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 11 Tallisha Harden
2nd Row for Raiders is number 12 Charlotte Basham

2nd Row for Cowboys is number 12 Lily Dick
Lock for Raiders is number 13 Simaima Taufa

Lock for Cowboys is number 13 Bree Chester

Interchange

Interchange for Raiders is number 14 Emma Barnes

Interchange for Cowboys is number 14 Alisha Foord
Interchange for Raiders is number 15 Grace Kemp

Interchange for Cowboys is number 15 Tayla Curtis
Interchange for Raiders is number 16 Sereana Naitokatoka

Interchange for Cowboys is number 16 Ashley Marsters
Interchange for Raiders is number 17 Grace Kukutai

Interchange for Cowboys is number 17 Tiana Raftstrand-Smith

Reserves

Replacement for Raiders is number 18 Lili Boyle

Replacement for Cowboys is number 18 Lydia Turua-Quedley
Reserve for Raiders is number 19 Ellie Brander

Reserve for Cowboys is number 19 Lyrech Mara
Reserve for Raiders is number 20 Relna Wuruki-Hosea

Reserve for Cowboys is number 20 Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell
Reserve for Raiders is number 21 Madison Bartlett

Reserve for Cowboys is number 21 Sian Williams
Reserve for Raiders is number 22 Evie McGrath

Reserve for Cowboys is number 22 Kayla Jackson

Evie McGrath
Isabella Waterman
Lili Boyle
Madison Bartlett
Relna Wuruki-Hosea
Sereana Naitokatoka

Abigail Roache
Kayla Jackson
Lydia Turua-Quedley
Tiana Raftstrand-Smith

Bobbi Law
Jordyn Preston

Match Officials

Referee: Kasey Badger
Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 7/29/2026 5:34:11 AM

Raiders: Hollie Mae-Dodd is set to start in the back-row after making a successful return from concussion last week. The English international will replace the suspended Jordyn Preston. Isabella Waterman is set to replace Bobbi Law in the centres. Winger Elise Simpson has scored eight tries in her last nine NRLW games.

Cowboys: Abigail Roache is on track to take her place in the centres after falling short of an early comeback from a knee injury last week. The Kiwi Fern's return has triggered a reshuffle, Fran Goldthorpe shifting to fullback and Margot Vella moving to wing. Tiana Raftstrand-Smith is also on track to make her return from a hamstring injury and will come off the bench in her first game of the season.

Bulldogs v Broncos, Sunday 11.35am at Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga

Round 5 - Round 5 - Sunday 2 Aug

1:35 am

Bulldogs

Broncos

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Andie Robinson

Fullback for Broncos is number 1 Tamika Upton
Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Simina Lokotui

Winger for Broncos is number 2 Georgia Bartlett
Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Daynah Nankivell

Centre for Broncos is number 3 Deleni Paitai
Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Monica Tagoai

Centre for Broncos is number 4 Julia Robinson
Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Elizabeth MacGregor

Winger for Broncos is number 5 Caitlin Urwin
Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Ashleigh Quinlan

Five-Eighth for Broncos is number 6 Ali Brigginshaw
Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Tayla Preston

Halfback for Broncos is number 7 Jesse Southwell

Forwards

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Kalosipani Hopoate

Prop for Broncos is number 8 Shannon Mato
Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Mary-Jane Taito

Hooker for Broncos is number 9 Jada Ferguson
Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Alexis Tauaneai

Prop for Broncos is number 10 Brianna Clark
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Leilani Wilson

2nd Row for Broncos is number 11 Lauren Dam
2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Tamika Jones

2nd Row for Broncos is number 12 Romy Teitzel
Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa

Lock for Broncos is number 13 Bree Spreadborough

Interchange

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Evelyn Roberts

Interchange for Broncos is number 14 Rhemy Hinckesman
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Giovanna Suani

Interchange for Broncos is number 15 Chelsea Lenarduzzi
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Hope Millard

Interchange for Broncos is number 16 Tara McGrath-West
Interchange for Bulldogs is number 17 Latisha Smythe

Interchange for Broncos is number 17 Reegan Hicks

Reserves

Replacement for Bulldogs is number 18 Bridget Hoy

Replacement for Broncos is number 18 Harlem Walker
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 19 Paea Uilou

Reserve for Broncos is number 19 Linneke Gevers
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 20 Ebony Prior

Reserve for Broncos is number 20 Skyla Adams
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 21 Moana Courtenay

Reserve for Broncos is number 21 Tavarna Papalii
Reserve for Bulldogs is number 22 Waimarie Martin

Reserve for Broncos is number 22 Amanii Misa

Bridget Hoy
Ebony Prior
Giovanna Suani
Moana Courtenay
Paea Uilou

Amanii Misa
Deleni Paitai
Harlem Walker
Linneke Gevers
Skyla Adams
Tavarna Papalii

Ma’atuleio Fotu-Moala

Kerri Johnson
Lillian Yarrow

Match Officials

Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen

Last updated: 7/30/2026 1:54:19 AM

Bulldogs: The Bulldogs have a settled squad as they chase a third-straight win, with no late changes expected to the 17. There has been just one change to last week's side, Giovanni Suani replacing Ma’atuleio Fotu-Moala on the interchange. Winger Simina Lokotui has scored four tries in her last two games.

Broncos: The loss of Lillian Yarrow to a head knock will see Shannon Mato start at prop while winger Kerri Johnson has also been ruled out with a shoulder injury. Georgia Bartlett moves to the wing, with rookie Deleni Paitai to line up in the centres. Second-rower Romy Teitzel will play her 50th NRLW game.

Warriors v Titans, Sunday 1.25pm at Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga

Round 5 - Round 5 - Sunday 2 Aug

3:25 am

Warriors

Titans

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Warriors is number 1 Apii Nicholls

Fullback for Titans is number 1 Lily Patston
Winger for Warriors is number 2 Stacey Waaka

Winger for Titans is number 2 Phoenix-Raine Hippi
Centre for Warriors is number 3 Tysha Ikenasio

Centre for Titans is number 3 Jaime Chapman
Centre for Warriors is number 4 Mele Hufanga

Centre for Titans is number 4 Sarina Masaga
Winger for Warriors is number 5 Payton Takimoana

Winger for Titans is number 5 Indie Bostock
Five-Eighth for Warriors is number 6 Emmanita Paki

Five-Eighth for Titans is number 6 Teagan Levi
Halfback for Warriors is number 7 Gayle Broughton

Halfback for Titans is number 7 Lauren Brown

Forwards

Prop for Warriors is number 8 Maarire Puketapu

Prop for Titans is number 8 Laikha Clarke
Hooker for Warriors is number 9 Patricia Maliepo

Hooker for Titans is number 9 Georgia Hale
Prop for Warriors is number 10 Metanoia Fetalaiga

Prop for Titans is number 10 Fanua Rimoni
2nd Row for Warriors is number 11 Christabelle Onesemo-Tuilaepa

2nd Row for Titans is number 11 Evania Isa'ako
2nd Row for Warriors is number 12 Shakira Baker

2nd Row for Titans is number 12 Ivana Lolesio
Lock for Warriors is number 13 Kaiyah Atai

Lock for Titans is number 13 Sienna Lofipo

Interchange

Interchange for Warriors is number 14 Capri Paekau

Interchange for Titans is number 14 Lily Kolc
Interchange for Warriors is number 15 Harata Butler

Interchange for Titans is number 15 Eta Sikahele
Interchange for Warriors is number 16 Annetta Nuuausala

Interchange for Titans is number 16 Natasha Penitani
Interchange for Warriors is number 17 Ivana Lauitiiti

Interchange for Titans is number 17 Takoda Thompson

Reserves

Replacement for Warriors is number 18 Ashlee Matapo

Replacement for Titans is number 18 Enah Desic
Reserve for Warriors is number 19 Natalia Hickling

Reserve for Titans is number 19 Aleksandra Tunufai
Reserve for Warriors is number 20 Ocean Tierney

Reserve for Titans is number 20 Jasmine Solia
Reserve for Warriors is number 21 Mya Hill-Moana

Reserve for Titans is number 21 Pauline Piliae-Rasabale
Reserve for Titans is number 22 Lailani Montgomery

Ashlee Matapo
Capri Paekau
Mele Hufanga
Natalia Hickling

Aleksandra Tunufai
Jasmine Solia
Lailani Montgomery
Pauline Piliae-Rasabale

Jasmin Huriwai

Match Officials

Referee: Belinda Sharpe
Senior Review Official: Peter Gough

Last updated: 7/30/2026 3:34:09 AM

Warriors: Mele Hufanga is on track to make her first appearance of the season after her comeback bid fell short last week. The 2025 premiership winner injured her hamstring in the pre-season but is looking to hit the ground running on Sunday. Hufanga's return will see Stacey Waaka shift to the wing. Up front, hooker Jasmin Huriwai has been ruled out due to a head knock, with Patricia Maliepo to start at dummy half.

Titans: No late changes for Gold Coast, who are chasing a fourth-straight victory on Sunday afternoon. Former sevens star Teagan Levi continues to develop into one of the most dynamic playmakers in the game and will look to build her partnership with halfback Lauren Brown, who is making her 50th NRLW appearance.

Eels v Knights, Sunday, 3.15pm at Geohex Park, Wagga Wagga

Round 5 - Round 5 - Sunday 2 Aug

5:15 am

Eels

Knights

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Abbi Church

Fullback for Knights is number 1 Lucy Spain
Winger for Eels is number 2 Zali Fay

Winger for Knights is number 2 Shanice Parker
Centre for Eels is number 3 Fleur Ginn

Centre for Knights is number 3 Sidney Taylor
Centre for Eels is number 4 Lindsay Tui

Centre for Knights is number 4 Tenika Willison
Winger for Eels is number 5 Martha Mataele

Winger for Knights is number 5 Mercedez Taulelei-Siala
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Rosemarie Beckett

Five-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Kirra Dibb
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Rachael Pearson

Halfback for Knights is number 7 Georgia Roche

Forwards

Prop for Eels is number 8 Elsie Albert

Prop for Knights is number 8 Tayla Predebon
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Taneka Todhunter

Hooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia Higgins
Prop for Eels is number 10 Ryvrr-Lee Alo

Prop for Knights is number 10 Tiana Davison
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Fontayne Tufuga

2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Amelia Pasikala
2nd Row for Eels is number 12 Mahalia Murphy

2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Jules Kirkpatrick
Lock for Eels is number 13 Keilee Joseph

Lock for Knights is number 13 Kayla Romaniuk

Interchange

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Rueben Cherrington

Interchange for Knights is number 14 Botille Vette-Welsh
Interchange for Eels is number 15 Tess McWilliams

Interchange for Knights is number 15 Sienna Yeo
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Boss Kapua

Interchange for Knights is number 16 Grace Giampino
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Khyliah Gray

Interchange for Knights is number 17 Simone Karpani

Reserves

Replacement for Eels is number 18 Jasmin Morrissey

Replacement for Knights is number 18 Cheyelle Robins-Reti
Reserve for Eels is number 19 Jayde Herdegen

Reserve for Knights is number 19 Nakia Davis-Welsh
Reserve for Eels is number 20 Chloe Jackson

Reserve for Knights is number 20 Fane Finau
Reserve for Eels is number 21 Kiana Takairangi

Reserve for Knights is number 21 Joeli Morris
Reserve for Eels is number 22 Kate Fallon

Reserve for Knights is number 22 Stella Lewis

Chloe Jackson
Fleur Ginn
Kate Fallon
Kiana Takairangi
Lindsay Tui

Cheyelle Robins-Reti
Joeli Morris
Simone Karpani
Stella Lewis

Rory Owen

Match Officials

Senior Review Official: Kasey Badger

Last updated: 7/30/2026 5:34:09 AM

Eels: Queensland star Rory Owen will miss the Magic Round clash with the Knights after suffering a head knock last week, with Fleur Ginn to line up at centre in her place. Lindsay Tui is also back on deck after last week's late withdrawal and will wear the No.4 jumper. Lock Keilee Joseph has won five from six against the Knights.

Knights: Amelia Pasikala is back in the starting side after making an impact off the bench last weekend, with Simone Karpani earning a recall to the interchange after a series of impressive performances in the Harvey Norman Women's Premiership. Halfback Kirra Dibb will play her 50th NRLW game.

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