Everything you need to know about the upcoming NRLW season

Here. We. Go.

NRLW season five is finally upon us and it's poised to be one of the most electrifying yet.

After bursting onto the scene in 2018, the competition has well and truly exploded, helping rugby league become one of the most popular sports in the country among women.

Prior to last season, the Brisbane Broncos had won the premiership in every single campaign since the league's inception.

That was until the Sydney Roosters upset the odds to claim a historic victory earlier in 2022.

Now the Chooks enter season five looking to defend their coveted title – although it'll be no easy task.

The Parramatta Eels, who only joined the competition this year, will play host to the reigning premiers in what promises to be a huge opening-day clash at Commbank Stadium.

Meanwhile, a very-strong St George Dragons side will lock horns with the Gold Coast Titans in windy Wollongong on Sunday.

And to wrap up Round 1, the Broncos take a trip to visit the Knights in Newcastle.

With tough training camps done and some sensational off-season signings complete, this season has all the hallmarks of being a truly, truly special one.

Oh, and there'll be a few extra eyeballs watching too.

With the Cronulla Sharks, Canberra Raiders, North Queensland Cowboys and Wests Tigers all joining the competition next year, there'll undoubtedly be some scouts hoping to pinch a couple of players who perform for their clubs.

Keen would be an understatement!

Here's everything you need to know ahead of the season!

SEASON SCHEDULE

Round 1

Saturday, August 20

1pm Eels vs Roosters at CommBank Stadium, Sydney

Sunday, August 21

12pm Dragons vs Titans at WIN Stadium, Wollongong

6:10pm Knights vs Broncos at McDonalds Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Round 2

Saturday, August 271:10pm Broncos vs Roosters at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

Sunday, August 28

12pm Eels vs Dragons at CommBank Stadium, Sydney

6:10pm Titans vs Knights at Cbus Super Stadium, Gold Coast

Round 3

Friday, September 2

5:40pm Roosters vs Dragons at Allianz Stadium, Sydney

Saturday, September 3

1:10pm Broncos vs Titans at Moreton Daily Stadium, Redcliffe

Sunday, September 4

12pm Knights vs Eels at McDonald Jones Stadium, Newcastle

Round 4

Saturday, September 10

Titans vs Eels

Knights vs Roosters

Broncos vs Dragons

Round 5

Sunday, September 18

12:05pm Broncos vs Eels at Central Coast Stadium, Gosford

1:55pm Titans vs Roosters at Central Coast Stadium, Gosford

3:45pm Dragons vs Knights at Central Coast Stadium, Gosford

Semi-finals: Date and venue TBC

Grand final: Date and venue TBC

ROUND 1 TEAMS

SATURDAY AUGUST 20

Parramatta Eels vs Sydney Roosters at CommBank Stadium, 1pm

Eels: 1. Gayle Broughton, 2. Tess Staines, 3. Tiana Penitani (c), 4. Abbi Church, 5. Rikeya Horne, 6. Brooke-Morgan Walker, 7. Losana Lutu, 8. Filomina Hanisi, 9. Shirley Mailangi, 10. Ellie Johnston, 11. Christian Pio, 12. Vanessa Foliaki, 13. Simaima Taufa (c), 14. Kennedy Cherrington, 15. Brooke Anderson, 16. Najvada George, 17. Rima Butler, 18. Ruby-Jean Kennard, 19. Tayla Preston, 20. Rueben Cherrington, 21. Ashleigh Quinland, 22. Luisa Yaranamua

Roosters: 1. Samantha Bremner, 2. Leianne Tufuga, 3. Jessica Sergis, 4. Isabelle Kelly (c), 5. Jayme Fressard, 6. Zahara Temara, 7. Raecene McGregor, 8. Sarah Togatuki, 9. Destiny Brill, 10. Mya Hill-Moana, 11. Shaniah Power, 12. Olivia Kernick, 13. Keilee Joseph, 14. Jocelyn Kelleher, 15. Shawden Burton, 16. Kalosipani Hopoate, 17. Otesa Pule, 18. Joeli Morris, 19. Samantha Economos, 20. Jada Taylor, 21. Chante Temara, 22. Jasmin Strange

SUNDAY AUGUST 21

St George-Illawarra Dragons vs Gold Coast Titans at WIN Stadium, 12pm

Dragons: 1. Emma Tonegato, 2. Teagan Berry, 3. Keele Browne, 4. Page McGregor, 5. Andie Robinson, 6. Taliah Fuimaono, 7. Rachael Pearson, 8. Elsie Albert, 9. Keeley Davis 10. Tegan Dymock, 11. Kezie Apps (c), 12. Shaylee Bent, 13. Holli Wheeler, 14. Quincy Dodd, 15. Talei Holmes, 16. Monalisa Soliola, 17. Tara McGrath-West, 18. Renee Targett, 19. Zali Hopkins, 20. Aliti Namoce, 21. Shontelle Stowers, 22. Cassie Staples

Titans: 1. Apii Nicholls, 2. Karina Brown, 3. Evania Pelite, 4. Jasmine Peters, 5. Madison Bartlett, 6. Kimiora Breayley-Nati, 7. Lauren Brown, 8. Shannon Mato, 9. Brittany Breayley-Nati, 10. Stephanie Hancock, 11. Zara Canfield, 12. Tazmin Gray, 13. Georgia Hale, 14, Rona Peters, 15. Jessika Elliston, 16. Tiana Rafstrand-Smith, 17. Laikha Clarke, 18. Roxy Murdoch, 19. Jetaya Faifua, 20. Annette Brander, 21. Hagiga Mosby, 22. April Ngatupuna

Newcastle Knights vs Brisbane Broncos at McDonald Jones Stadium, 6pm

Knights: 1. Tamika Upton, 2. Kiana Takairangi, 3. Shanice Parker, 4. Bobbi Law, 5. Autumn-Rain Stephens Daly, 6. Kirra Dibb, 7. Jesse Southwell, 8. Caitlan Johnston, 9. Olivia Higgins, 10. Millie Boyle (C), 11. Romy Teitzel, 12. Yasmin Clydsdale, 13. Hannah Southwell (C), 14. Emma Manzelmann, 15. Tayla Predebon, 16. Kyra Simon, 17. Simone Karpani, 18. Caitlin Moran, 19. Makenzie Weale, 20. Jakiya Whitfield, 21. Emmanita Paki, 22. Tiana Davidson

Broncos: 1. Jaime Chapman, 2. Julia Chapman, 3. Amy Turner, 4. Shenae Ciesiolka, 5. Emily Bass, 6. Tarryn Aiken, 7. Ali Brigginshaw, 8. Sophie Holyman, 9. Nita Maynard, 10. Chelsea Lenarduzzi, 11. Sara Sautia, 12. Amber Hall, 13. Tallisha Harden, 14. Jada Ferguson, 15. Kaitlyn Phillips, 16. Crystal Tamarua, 17. Jasmine Fogavini, 18. Shakiah Tungai, 19. Brianna Clark, 20. Hayley Maddick, 21. Lavinia Gould, 22. Paige Parker

Featured Image Credit: Supplied/NRL

Topics: Australia, NRL, Rugby League

Max Sherry

Max Sherry is a journalist for SPORTbible Australia. After migrating Down Under from London as a teenager, he instantly fell in love with Aussie sport and its culture. From NRL to AFL, cricket to rugby — you name it, Max watches it (with a beer in hand, of course). During his time at Fox Sports, he worked in the football department covering the Premier League, A-League, Socceroos and Matildas. Born a stone's throw away from West Ham's training ground, Max is obviously a die-hard Liverpool fan.

@maxysherry