NRLW Round 11 Match Preview: The Western Sydney Derby

Author: bulldogs.com.au & NRL.com
Timestamp: Thu 11 Sep 2025, 10:14 AM

The Bulldogs also remain a mathematical chance of playing finals football after they stunned the Sharks last week.

While a lot will have to go right for that to happen, Canterbury sit two points behind the Titans on the ladder but face a 92-point for and against deficit heading into Round 11. A big win in their first Western Sydney Derby against the Eels, however, will go a long way in securing a maiden finals berth.

NRL Match Highlights: Bulldogs v Sharks - Round 27, 2025

The Bulldogs have shown they can match it with the top teams in the competition and have displayed a gritty, defensive mindset throughout their first season in the NRLW, and will be keen to finish the season with back-to-back victories.

Meanwhile, the Parramatta Eels enter Friday’s clash with the Bulldogs needing a win to keep their finals hopes alive.

Last week’s dominant win over the Tigers pulled the Eels within one point of the sixth-placed Titans with one game left in the season, while a win will lift them into sixth before Gold Coast’s clash with Canberra on Saturday.

Team News

Bulldogs: No changes to the side that defeated the Sharks last weekend, with Canterbury needing a big win to keep their slim finals hopes alive. Holli Wheeler has been named to start at prop but reverted to the bench on game day in the last two weeks and could do the same this week.

Eels: Star prop Elsie Albert has been named to make her return from an ankle injury. The veteran's inclusion is the only change to the side that defeated the Tigers last week, with Boss Kapua shifting to the bench as a result.

Round 11 - Round 11 - Friday 12 Sep

Full Time

Eels

Bulldogs

Team Lists

Backs

Fullback for Eels is number 1 Abbi Church

Fullback for Bulldogs is number 1 Andie Robinson
Winger for Eels is number 2 Kiana Takairangi

Winger for Bulldogs is number 2 Elizabeth MacGregor
Centre for Eels is number 3 Fleur Ginn

Centre for Bulldogs is number 3 Monica Tagoai
Centre for Eels is number 4 Lindsay Tui

Centre for Bulldogs is number 4 Moana Courtenay
Winger for Eels is number 5 Martha Mataele

Winger for Bulldogs is number 5 Simina Lokotui
Five-Eighth for Eels is number 6 Rosemarie Beckett

Five-Eighth for Bulldogs is number 6 Ashleigh Quinlan
Halfback for Eels is number 7 Rachael Pearson

Halfback for Bulldogs is number 7 Tayla Preston

Forwards

Prop for Eels is number 8 Elsie Albert

Prop for Bulldogs is number 8 Holli Wheeler
Hooker for Eels is number 9 Rueben Cherrington

Hooker for Bulldogs is number 9 Anneka Wilson
Prop for Eels is number 10 Breanna Eales

Prop for Bulldogs is number 10 Alexis Tauaneai
2nd Row for Eels is number 11 Chloe Jackson

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 11 Shannon Muru
2nd Row for Eels is number 15 Paige Travis

2nd Row for Bulldogs is number 12 Shaniece Monschau
Lock for Eels is number 13 Kennedy Cherrington

Lock for Bulldogs is number 13 Angelina Teakaraanga-Katoa

Interchange

Interchange for Eels is number 14 Boss Kapua

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 14 Ebony Prior
Interchange for Eels is number 16 Tess McWilliams

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 15 Pauline Suli-Ruka
Interchange for Eels is number 17 Ryvrr-Lee Alo

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 16 Ma’atuleio Fotu-Moala
Interchange for Eels is number 18 Fontayne Tufuga

Interchange for Bulldogs is number 19 Hope Millard

Reserves

Replacement for Eels is number 19 Taneka Todhunter

Replacement for Bulldogs is number 18 Shaquaylah Mahakitau-Monschau

Match Officials

Senior Review Official: Todd Smith

Last updated: 9/14/2025 7:02:02 AM

Stat Attack

Bulldogs prop Holli Wheeler has a 4-0 record against the Eels.
Bulldogs winger Elizabeth MacGregor has scored five tries in seven NRLW appearances.
The Bulldogs will have the opportunity to finish their season much like they did to start, with back-to-back victories.
The Eels are aiming for back-to-back wins for the first time in 2025.
Eels winger Martha Mataele has scored five tries in her last four games.
Eels captain Mahalia Murphy will play her 30th NRLW game.

Stats supplied by David Middleton, League Information Services, author of the official annual of the NRL.