![\"Chantay](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/9364e6e6bb954c351cda8696b3b9b9c66530f49a.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nThe Roosters also have injury concerns over winger Jayme Fressard and forwards Rima Butler and Amber Hall, and Cronulla have their superstars, too \u2013 along with the knowledge they ran the premiers close in last year\u2019s grand final before losing 32-28.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey\u2019re a great team and if we let them in the game they can easily run away with it,\u201d Verran said. \u201cThey can put points on a team very easily as we\u2019ve seen this season, lots of big scorelines<\/p>\n
\u201cBut we can do the same, and we have to stay in it and stay focused and come out with a bang and get on the scoreboard early. We can definitely take a lot from that grand final. I know it\u2019s a long time ago, but it just shows that teams can compete with them.\u201d<\/p>\n
While they lost halfback Tayla Preston to the Bulldogs this season, the Sharks have unearthed a gem in the form of Preston\u2019s No.7 replacement Chantay Kiria-Ratu, and welcomed back superstar fullback Jada Taylor from an ACL injury in mid-season.<\/p>\n
\u201cI think having Chantay there, she\u2019s a bit of a surprise package for us this year, she\u2019s really earned her spot in that No.7 jersey, just the way she controls the game,\u201d Verran said.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe\u2019s so calm and obviously got a great kicking game. It\u2019s been a pleasant surprise having her, and it\u2019s been awesome to see her flourish and just come out of her shell a little bit.\u201d<\/p>\n
Roosters playmaker Jocelyn Kelleher, who will wear Aiken\u2019s No.7 jersey in her 50th NRLW game, won\u2019t be taking the Sharks lightly.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have players that can switch the momentum, score that try and change the game in a heartbeat,\u201d Kelleher said. \u201cWe have to turn up, we have to play 70 minutes.\u201d<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Chantay Kiria-Ratu after kicking the match-winning field goal against the Knights in round nine.Credit: Getty Images<\/p>\n
The Broncos go head-to-head with Newcastle in Brisbane on Sunday in the weekend\u2019s other preliminary final.<\/p>\n
Knights skipper Yasmin Clydsdale believes her team can match their high-flying opponents in a one-off showdown, and says insider knowledge on former teammate Tamika Upton, who won two premierships with Newcastle in 2022 and 2023 before joining the Broncos, could prove crucial.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe is a really special player, an X-factor player in teams,\u201d Clydsdale said. \u201cSo it\u2019s just [about] putting pressure on her and putting heat on her and making sure if you get an opportunity to tackle her you don\u2019t miss it.\u201d With Robert Dillon<\/p>\n
Win one of 10 double passes to the 2025 NRL grand final. Click here for details<\/a> and to enter the competition, exclusive to Sydney Morning Herald subscribers.<\/p>\n