NRLW Premier Roosters off to a winning start

Newly crowned Roosters captain Isabel Kelly earned her first NRLW double in a 38-16 victory over Parramatta at Combank Stadium to give her side’s premiership defense a flying start .

The Roosters never let go of their lead, scoring four tries in the first half and three in the second half.

They were well led by new skipper Kerry, who scored a point early in the first half to give the Roosters victory.

Newcastle winger Jaime Fressard also recorded a double.

In freewheeling scoring, commentators dived into the record book to find out if the Roosters’ haul was the best in NRLW history.

But in the end, they were trailed by two points by the Dragons, who beat the Knights 40-4 in 2021.

The game was eye-catching in other ways, apart from the avalanche of points.

Parramatta New Zealand Sevens star Gail Broughton made his Rugby League debut at fullback. Meanwhile, first his AFLW convert, Brooke Walker, took on goal-kicking duties for the Eels after kicking his 14 goals for Carlton in the last four AFLW his seasons.

Former Giraroo full-back Sam Bremner was looking to return to NRLW, this time in Roosters colors, after missing two years to have his second child.

After two brilliant runs by Bremner and prop Sarah Togatuk, the third Roosters NSW Origin player in Kerry scored the first points with winger Jaime Fressard in the left corner.

Three minutes later, Kerry did it all himself with a 30-metre run, pasting Eels center Abichurch and dragging fullback Gail Broughton over the line.

After scoring on the left side, Kerry scored again, but this time paired with Bremner on the right side and Kerry scored the afternoon’s two goals in three minutes.

Zahara Tamara failed to complete her first three conversions, two of which came from the sidelines.

However, with 64 percent possession and a 12-0 lead, the Roosters appeared to be in an advantageous position.

Momentum brandished Eels, hooker Seri Mailangi bursting out of dummy half and Simaima Taufa once again breaking through a flimsy defense after picking up a loose ball near the line.

The score was pinned at 12-12 as halftime approached.

However, Bremner injected himself with a dart run again before off-roading to Jess Sergis.

The 2019 Darry M winner hit the defensive line at high speed and spun repeatedly on the Roosters’ fourth try.

Hooters rang out, giving the visitors an 18-12 lead.

It was a see-saw into the second half when former Roosters player Vanessa Foliaki celebrated her 29th birthday with an Eels try before Olivia Karnick’s diagonal run kept the Roosters ahead 24-16. It was a start.

However, the Roosters attempted to back-row Shania Power behind Fressard and right winger Leian Tufuga put the result beyond doubt.