After 11 rounds of scintillating action we’re down to the business end in the NRLW with the Roosters and Broncos enjoying a week off while the remaining four contenders rip in today in a couple of epic showdowns.

First stop is Newcastle for the clash between the third-placed Knights and sixth-placed Titans before we head to Townsville for the battle of fourth vs fifth, the Cowboys and Sharks.

Both games are sudden-death so the stakes couldn’t be higher.

The winners progress to the preliminary finals while the losers can start planning for 2026.

Two huge clashes in two rugby league heartlands. Follow all the Week 1 Finals action on NRL.com’s live blog.

Knights v Titans at McDonald Jones Stadium

57th minute: This time the Titans have broken through, with Sarina Masaga burrowing over from dummy half on the last tackle to cross for her side’s second try of the game. The visitors are racing the clock to pull off the comeback but we saw how quickly they can pile on the points in last week’s come-from-behind win over the Raiders. Knights 24 – Titans 10.

55th minute: The door remains ajar for the Titans, with Newcastle making a number errors throughout the past 10 minutes. The Knights defence has so far been good enough to prevent a second try but Gold Coast have another attacking set and a chance to cut the deficit. Knights 24 – Titans 4. 

45th minute: The Titans comeback bid has begun, with Jasmine Solia producing a powerful carry to finish off a right-edge shift and charge to the line. Lauren Brown’s kick from out wide was waved away, but the visitors now have a pep in their step. Knights 24 – Titans 4.

41st minute: Newcastle appear to have spilled the ball in the opening carry off the kick off, however the Knights have launched a Captain’s Challenge. The appeal is quickly dismissed, with the Titans handed an attacking set of six. Knights 24 – Titans 0.

39th minute: Newcastle have capitalised on the Titans error, with a penalty helping the hosts work their way into attacking territory. Shanice Parker did the rest, producing a powerful fend to muscle her way over the line. Knights 24 – Titans 0.

Kick-off: We are back for the second half and it’s almost an exact repeat of the opening kick off. The ball bounced and the Knights were unable to field it before it bounced dead. Newcastle kicked short and the Titans were unable to pick up the bouncing ball without spilling it. That’s a major missed opportunity for the visitors who need to be almost perfect in the second half to pull off a spectacular comeback. Knights 18 – Titans 0.


599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>



Up Next



/








Replay





Play Next

Olivia Higgins Try

Half-time: A really big couple of minutes on the stroke of half-time to blow this game open. Gold Coast received a penalty and had a full attacking set of six in the red zone. The Knights held firm before forcing a turnover on the last tackle and rolling down the field with ball in hand. Olivia Higgins capped off the momentum swing when she burrowed over from dummy half with 10 seconds left in the half. Jesse Southwell slotted the conversion to make it 18-0 at the break. Knights 18 – Titans 0.

28th minute: Grace Giampino is now receiving treatment after falling victim to a crusher tackle by Titans captain Georgia Hale. The young forward has got back to her feet and will play on, while Hale has been put on report. Newcastle have taken another two points and stretched their lead to two converted tries. Knights 12 – Titans 0.


599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>



Up Next



/








Replay





Play Next

Predebon too clever

25th minute: Jesse Southwell continues to pick apart the Titans with her kicking game. After forcing a dropout with another well-placed bomb, the halfback produced a superb grubber into the in goal. Tenika Willison got to the ball first, but was unable to reel it in as it bounced away and the Bunker has confirmed the referee’s on-field ruling of No Try. The Titans continue to hold on and would love a try in the final 10 minutes of this half. Knights 10 – Titans 0.


599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>



Up Next



/








Replay





Play Next

Southwell has it on a string

17th minute: Newcastle have launched a Captain’s Challenge after Fane Finau was stopped just short of the try line on the last tackle. The Knights had alleged a hair pull and replays show this had occurred. The challenge is successful and Newcastle take the two points on offer from the penalty. Knights 10 – Southwell 0.


599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>



Up Next



/








Replay





Play Next

Keighley Simpson Try

13th minute: Gold Coast errors continue to open the door for the Knights and this time the hosts have capitalised. Another Jesse Southwell bombed forced an error, with Georgia Grey spilling the ball. While the Titans initially scrambled to hold their opponents out their defensive line was stretched and Newcastle produced a big shift for Keighley Simpson to score in the left corner. Knights 8 – Titans 0.

7th minute: Yasmin Clydsdale has fallen awkwardly in a tackle and quickly clutched at her upper leg. The Knights skipper received some treatment and will attempt to play on, with Newcastle receiving a penalty and another attacking opportunity for a dangerous tackle. Knights 4 – Titans 0.


599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>



Up Next



/








Replay





Play Next

Fane Finau Try

5th minute: A heavy breeze is blowing through McDonald Jones Stadium and it hasn’t taken long for Jesse Southwell to take advantage of it. The Knights halfback producing a towering bomb that hung in the air, with the Titans misjudging its trajectory. Newcastle secured the kick and after a couple of passes Fane Finau had crashed over. Knights 4 – Titans 0.


599″, “>809”, “>959″]”
data-eqio-prefix=”video-post-screen”
ref=”root”
>



Up Next



/








Replay





Play Next

Disaster from the kick-off

Kick-off: We are underway at McDonald Jones Stadium, with a dramatic opening minute in Newcastle. Sienna Lofipo put her foot on the dead ball line as she fielded a bouncing kick off resulting in a line dropout. The Titans went short and the Knights touched it before it crossed the 10-metre line. Gold Coast receive a penalty and survive an early scare. Knights 0 – Titans 0. 

Stat Attack

The Knights have won their last five games against the Titans.
Titans captain Georgia Hale will make her 50th NRLW appearance.
Knights winger Sheridan Gallagher has scored five tries in her last three games against the Titans.
Titans winger Georgia Grey has scored four tries in her last three games.
The Knights have won five of their six games at McDonald Jones Stadium this season.

Late Mail

Knights: Prop Tayla Predebon will line up in Saturday’s semi-final despite picking up a calf injury in last week’s win over the Dragons, while Bo Vette-Welsh is set to complete her comeback from a concussion. Young gun Keighley Simpson is set for her second NRLW game after entering the fray as 18th player last week. The Knights will line up 1-17, with Joeli Morris the 18th player. 

Titans: A big boost on gameday for the Titans with Sarina Masaga cleared to return from a head knock. The youngster comes into the centres, with Georgia Grey shifting to the wing in her return from a concussion. Phoenix-Raine Hippi moves back to the interchange, with Takoda Thompson reverting to 18th player. One other tweak for Karyn Murphy, with Brittany Breayley-Nati to start at hooker and Lily-Rose Kolc shifting to the bench in the same gameday change that worked so well last week. Jasmine Solia is set to start at second row after being cleared of a shoulder injury.

Cowboys v Sharks at Queensland Country Bank Stadium

Late Mail

Cowboys: Just one change for the Cowboys on game day and it’s a familiar one, with Essay Banu coming into the starting side. China Polata shifts to the interchange as a result. Star fullback Jakiya Whitfeld will play her first game since suffering a shoulder injury in Round 9. The Jillaroo’s return will see Krystal Blackwell shift to the wing. Tahlulah Tillett is set to return to the starting side in No.7 after coach Ricky Henry made a bold call to change his halves just days out from the must-win clash. “It has been a fierce competition with the three halves and they have all put their hand up at certain times of the year but we felt this was the best combination coming into the semi-final,” Henry said. Hailee-Jay Ormond-Maunsell is the 18th player.

Sharks: Rhiannon Byers is set to complete her comeback from a back injury and has been named on the bench for Saturday’s clash in Townsville. Winger Georgia Ravics (knee) is also on track to return after she was a late scratching last week. Halfback Chantay Kiria-Ratu is set to battle through a knee injury suffered in Round 11 and take her place in the team. Cronulla will line up 1-17, with Nakia Davis-Welsh the 18th player.Â