NRLW Roosters v Raiders | Match Report

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Full-time: The Roosters quest for a perfect season is still alive after they held off the Raiders to secure a 20-10 victory. Canberra battled bravely throughout the contest but couldn't quite find a way to crack the Roosters defensive wall. John Strange's side will now have the chance to avenge last year's grand final defeat, which was their only loss of the year. Roosters 20 - Raiders 10.

70th minute: Canberra have lodged a late Captain's Challenge after the referee spotted a knock on in the battle to regather the kick-off. Replays clearly show Chloe Saunders knocked it in while attempting to pick it up and the Roosters are 38 seconds away from victory. Roosters 20 - Raiders 10.

68th minute: Tarryn Aiken has sent the Roosters into their third-straight grand final as they chase redemption following last year's loss to Brisbane. The halfback looked up, spotted a gap and surged through to score a try that secures the win. Aiken missed last year's decider after rupturing her ACL but hasn't missed a beat this year. Roosters 20 - Raiders 10. 

67th minute: Canberra's task has just become tougher with Charlotte Basham penalised for a hip-drop tackle on Jess Sergis. The Rooster immediately writhed in pain but is back on her feet and will look to play out the final few minutes. Roosters 16 - Raiders 10.

64th minute: The Roosters have dialled up the defensive intensity as they look to shut down the Raiders. Yardage has been hard work for Canberra in their past couple of sets, allowed the Roosters to reclaim the momentum as the clock ticks down. Roosters 16 - Raiders 10.

60th minute: We have a grandstand finish on our hands. A Roosters error and a penalty handed the Raiders yet another attacking set of six and this time the pressure proved too great. Sophie Holyman drew the defenders across to open up a gap close to the ruck and Hollie-Mae Dodd latched on to a short ball and surged through the hole to score between the posts. Six-point game with 10 minutes to play. Raiders 10 - Roosters 16.

57th minute: Jess Sergis scored a crucial try a few minutes ago and now she's come up with a big defensive play at the other end of the field. The Roosters centre helped stop a charging Bobbi Law before pulling off a one-on-one strip to win possession back for her side. Roosters 16 - Raiders 4.

52nd minute: Krystal Blackwell has come up with a massive play to deny Isabelle Kelly and keep her side in the contest. The Roosters rolled down the field in the set after points and Kelly looked destined to score before Blackwell dived for the ankle tap and Kelly spilled the ball as she attempted to pass it to her unmarked winger. Roosters 16 - Raiders 4.

50th minute: Let the ball bounce at your peril. Jocelyn Kelleher put up a bomb, Isabella Waterman let it hit the deck and Jess Sergis was sprinting through to claim the bouncing ball and score her 17th try of the year. The Raiders had started to gain the ascendancy in the past few minutes but Sergis has swung the momentum back in her side's favour. Roosters 16 - Raiders 4.

46th minute: We're back to the Bunker with the Raiders claiming a try through Lili Boyle. The utility spun out of a couple of tackles before fighting towards the line. Boyle initially grounded the ball on Brydie Parker's boot, with Aliyah Nasio desperately fighting to prevent it from touching the ground. It was sent up no try and that's how it will stand. Roosters 10 - Raiders 4. 

44th minute: The Raiders are just hanging on, with the Roosters starting to make regular line breaks and generating attacking opportunities. The visitors have scrambled well so far to deny their opponents and have caught a big break with a Roosters kick bouncing dead. Roosters 10 - Raiders 4.

39th minute: We are off to the Bunker with Amber Hall coming incredibly close to scoring an early try. The prop had multiple Raiders in her way but still managed to fight her way to the line, however she was not able to ground the ball. An important defensive set of six coming up for the Raiders. Roosters 10 - Raiders 4 

Kick-off: We are underway in the second half, with the Raiders desperate to strike first to potentially draw level. The Roosters goal-line defence was superb in the opening 35 minutes and they'll be looking to start fast after the break to snuff out any chance of an upset. John Strange's side has been dealt an early blow with Jayme Fressard remaining in the sheds for assessment on a shoulder injury. Taina Naividi will shift to the wing in her place.   Roosters 10 - Raiders 4. 

Half-time: This game is evenly poised at the break, with the Roosters holding a six-point lead. Canberra had plenty of chances but struggled to break down the Tricolours staunch defensive wall until Krystal Blackwell's late try that pulled her side within six. The hosts jumped out of the gates early and led 10-0 before the Raiders fought back. Roosters 10 - Raiders 4. 

33rd minute: Who's that in jumper No.25 you ask? It's Krystal Blackwell and she has the Raiders first try of the night. The five-eighth was forced from the field a couple of minutes ago with blood pouring from her nose but after a quick patch up and a jersey change she was back and made an instant impact, latching on to a Zahara Temara pass and surging through a gap. Roosters 10 - Raiders 4. 

28th minute: The Roosters have lodged a Captain's Challenge after the referee ruled a kick deflection was not played at by the Raiders. Replays show Sheridan Gallagher's leg was planted on the ground when the ball hit it and the Bunker confirms the on-field decision. Roosters have lost their challenge, it's Raiders ball and a chance to work out of their own end. Roosters 10 - Raiders 0.

23rd minute: We're off to the Bunker with Jasmine Strange looking destined to score until Isabella Waterman jammed in and got her body under the ball. The backrower was held up but the Roosters are still on the attack. Roosters 10 - Raiders 0.

19th minute: The Roosters have turned defence into attack, Tarryn Aiken forcing an error before an Isabelle Kelly break that saw the skipper run 70 metres before being dragged down from a hair pull. The penalty gave the hosts a fresh set of six and Rima Butler crashed over from short range less than a minute after entering the fray. Roosters 10 - Raiders 0.

15th minute: Now it's the Roosters who are digging in in defence. A penalty gave Canberra an attacking set of six and they threw plenty at their rivals but the hosts eventually stopped Bobbi Law on the last to force a turnover. Roosters 4 - Raiders 0.

7th minute: The Raiders have successfully defended their own line with a crucial early stop. An error from Chloe Saunders handed the Roosters a chance to extend their lead and Brydie Parker came close but the Canberra cover defence was up to the task. Roosters 4 - Raiders 0.

3rd minute: It's a dream return from injury for Roosters winger Jayme Fressard, who crossed for the first points of the game. A penalty for a crusher tackle put the minor premiers on the attack and they quickly capitalising. There was some nice work through the middle of the field to create the space out wide and Fressard finished it off. Roosters 4 - Raiders 0. 

Kick-off: We are underway at Allianz Stadium with the Raiders looking to upset the Roosters and book their place in a maiden NRLW Grand Final. A storm has swept through Sydney in the past couple of hours so conditions are wet this evening and ball control will be at a premium throughout the opening stages of this contest. The Roosters have been perfect in 2026 so far and are out to keep the undefeated dream alive as they chase premiership redemption.

Stat Attack

• The Roosters have won their last three games against the Raiders.
• The Raiders have the third best defensive record in the NRLW this season.
• Roosters prop Millie Elliott will make her 50th NRLW appearance.
• Raiders winger Isabella Waterman has scored a try in her last three games.
• Roosters halfback Tarryn Aiken has scored a try in all four games against the Raiders.

Late Mail

Roosters: No late changes for the Roosters with Jayme Fressard returning from a hand injury via the wing. Taina Naividi goes to the bench, moving Mia Wood to the 18th player role. Retiring Roosters Corban Baxter (fullback) and Millie Elliott (prop) will be hoping their NRLW careers have two more games left as they aim leave on winning note. Mia Wood is the 18th player. 

Raiders: An unchanged line-up from their opening finals win for the Green Machine, with Canberra to line up 1-17. Coach Darrin Borthwick is anticipating a close game. "Playing against the Roosters, they've always been close games and we're looking forward to getting up there on Saturday," he said. Ellie Brander is the 18th player.