The Illawarra Steelers face a do-or-die clash on Saturday as they take on the ladder-leading Newcastle Knights in the final round of the NSWRL Women’s Premiership at the Newcastle Knights Centre of Excellence in Newcastle, with their finals hopes hanging in the balance.
A Steelers victory would lift them to 14 competition points with a 7-4 record, keeping their finals dream alive. However, they’ll also be relying on the 11th-placed Wenty Magpies to pull off an upset against Mounties (+54 points differential), who currently share fifth place with Illawarra (+36).
A loss would dash their finals hopes and result in their first missed finals campaign since entering the NSW Women’s Premiership in 2023.
Newcastle’s squad boasts plenty of experience, featuring fullback Botille Vette-Welsh, versatile back Lilly-Ann White, former NRLW Raider Cheyelle Robins-Reti, and premiership winner Joeli Morris. However, they will be without key players Fane Finau, Grace Giampono, and Samoan international Simone Karpani.
For the Steelers, their only change comes on the bench, with Stephanie Ball joining and Mary Latu dropping out of the squad.
Assistant Coach Jade Etherden said the fight was nowhere near over.
“This week was a bit of a reflection week. We had a bit of a bad loss last week, and that’s okay. It just means that we need to work harder this week to try and work our way into the finals, and we really have to perform ready to go,” Etherden said.
“Obviously our defence was a bit lacking last week, so we put a lot of effort into getting our bodies together, getting in front, and yeah, I think that will reflect on the field.
“I think the girls will come together. They’ve worked really hard, and they really want it.”
Etherden said making the finals after the season they’ve had is certainly possible.
“The goal at the start of the season is to try and play finals football, and I think we can do it.
“We’ve got a really strong team there. We just need to put it together on the field.”
Facing the team that ended their finals run last year, Etherden acknowledged it will only sharpen the Steelers motivation to succeed.
“It’s always going to be in the back of our mind, going against the team that beat us in a previous year, but I think that’ll also just give the girls a bit of fire in the belly.
“Be ready to perform and really get around each other.”
Kick-off is scheduled for 2.00pm at the Newcastle Knights Centre of Excellence, Newcastle.
Words: Harrison Mellare
Photo Credit: Denis Ivaneza