The nib Newcastle Knights NRLW side are one game away from defending their title after qualifying for the 2024 Finals series.
The squad finished the season with a 6-3 record and 12 points to sit in third on the ladder.
They will take on the Sydney Roosters who finished in second position with the winner of Sunday's match to advance to the Grand Final.
SYDNEY ROOSTERS v NEWCASTLE KNIGHTS
Date: Sunday 29 September
Kick-off: 4:15pm
Venue: Allianz Stadium, Sydney
Watch: Nine, Nine Now, Fox League & Kayo Sports
Gallagher: 'They're going to come out firing'
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Since: 2021
Played: 4
Roosters: 2
Knights: 2
TEAMS
Match: Roosters v Knights
Finals Week 1 -
home Team
Roosters
away Team
Knights
Team Lists
Backs
-
Fullback for Roosters is number 1 Samantha BremnerFullback for Knights is number 1 Tamika Upton
-
Winger for Roosters is number 2 Jayme FressardWinger for Knights is number 2 Sheridan Gallagher
-
Centre for Roosters is number 3 Jasmin StrangeCentre for Knights is number 3 Shanice Parker
-
Centre for Roosters is number 4 Isabelle KellyCentre for Knights is number 4 Abigail Roache
-
Winger for Roosters is number 6 Brydie ParkerWinger for Knights is number 5 Tenika Willison
-
Five-Eighth for Roosters is number 7 Jocelyn KelleherFive-Eighth for Knights is number 6 Georgia Roche
-
Halfback for Roosters is number 20 Tarryn AikenHalfback for Knights is number 7 Jesse Southwell
Forwards
-
Prop for Roosters is number 8 Millie ElliottProp for Knights is number 10 Simone Karpani
-
Hooker for Roosters is number 9 Keeley DavisHooker for Knights is number 9 Olivia Higgins
-
Prop for Roosters is number 10 Otesa PuleProp for Knights is number 16 Tayla Predebon
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 11 Amber Hall2nd Row for Knights is number 11 Laishon Albert-Jones
-
2nd Row for Roosters is number 12 Olivia Kernick2nd Row for Knights is number 12 Yasmin Clydsdale
-
Lock for Roosters is number 13 Tiana DavisonLock for Knights is number 13 Hannah Southwell
Interchange
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 14 Tavarna PapaliiInterchange for Knights is number 14 Nita Maynard
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 15 Pani HopoateInterchange for Knights is number 15 Kayla Romaniuk
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 16 Samantha EconomosInterchange for Knights is number 17 Viena Tinao
-
Interchange for Roosters is number 19 Jessica SergisInterchange for Knights is number 19 Evah McEwen
Reserves
-
Replacement for Roosters is number 5 Mia WoodReplacement for Knights is number 18 Evie Jones
Match Officials
- Referee: Ziggy Przeklasa-Adamski
- Senior Review Official: Matt Noyen
Last updated:
TEAM NEWS
In team news, Nita Maynard and Rima Butler have been named to make their returns from injury.
For the Roosters, a change to the bench with Samantha Economos named on the interchange, moving Mya Hill-Moana to 18th player duties.
There are no other changes to the side that beat the Eels, with skipper Isabelle Kelly also named in the centres despite an injury scare last week.
Tarryn Aiken and Jess Sergis loom in the extended reserves.
Higgins: 'We need to be on our game'
FORM GUIDE
Both teams come into the Semi-Final in strong form having finished in second and third respectively.
Newcastle charge into the finals off the back of two straight wins and having scored a combined 84 points across the two games.
Meanwhile, the Roosters have won their past four games including a 32-18 win over the Parramatta Eels last start.
The two sides met earlier in the season with the Knights taking the two points in a hard-fought 12-10 victory.
KEY MATCH-UP
Yasmin Clydsdale v Olivia Kernick: Two State of Origin back-rowers will go head-to-head on Sunday.
Yasmin has been at her consistent best in 2024 with an average of 164 run metres per game and 15 offloads.
The second-row forward has scored three tries in the last two games while ran for 233 metres against the Cowboys last game.
On other side, Kernick has scored in her last three games and has provided five line-break assists in 2024.
STAT ATTACK
The Roosters have won five from six at Allianz Stadium.
The Knights have won their last two games against the Roosters.
Roosters second-rower Amber Hall has scored five tries in her past six games.
Knights fullback Tamika Upton has scored six tries in four finals appearances.
