A split schedule this week with the U17 & U19 boys playing Penrith in Windsor on Friday night while the U17 & U19 girls are at home to the Sydney Roosters at Sid Parrish Park on Saturday.
The ladder-leading SG Ball Steelers wlll need to be wary of a desperate ninth-placed Panthers outfit with just one win and two draws from their opening four games.
The 12th-placed Harold Matthews Steelers can move up the ladder with a win over the Panthers (10th).
Meanwhile, the U17 and U19 girls have a challenge at home to the Sydney Roosters at Sid Parrish Park on Saturday.
The undefeated Tarsha Gale Steelers will look to lock down their position in the top four against the undefeated Indigenous Academy, while Brad Reh’s charges will be looking for an upset over the undefeated co-leaders.
Tarsha Gale Steelers Starting To Click
Commenting on last week’s 38-0 win over the Parramatta Eels, Tarsha Gale Cup second-rower Charlotte Basham says the second-placed Steelers are starting to click after four wins on the trot.
“Parra is a strong side, but it was really good to get the win over them. We are all gelling well together and starting to perfect our combinations.”
Basham says this weekend’s clash will be a crucial test of their title credentials against the defending premiers.
“The Roosters are probably our strongest competition. “They’ve won two years in a row, so we do know they’re a strong team,” Basham said.
“But our team has come a long way this year. We’re probably hitting our best form right now, too.”
“Training each week has been as good as you can ask for. We kept Parra to nil last week, so that is our goal this week, too.”
Top-of-the-table clash
The top-of-the-table clash takes on extra significance with the Steelers having a bye in round six.
“This week is probably our biggest week of the season, and then we get a rest, so we’re putting all our effort into training and the game this week.
The 18-year-old feels her game has gone to a new level this year after making her NRLW debut for the St George Illawarra Dragons last season.
“I’m coming into my best form now, especially working with Kasey (Reh) and Indie (Bostock). We were on the Australian schoolgirls team together last year. I wouldn’t be able to do it without them beside me.
“Having the team get around me helps me, and I can play to my best, too.”
Lisa Fiaola Steelers Can Bounce Back
Meanwhile, Lisa Fiaola Cup hooker Tori Shipton says her side can bounce back after last week’s disappointing 32-16 loss to the Eels.
“I think we all got a bit flustered playing at WIN Stadium. We got a bit nervous, so that probably got to us,” Shipton said.
“We’ve been training hard this week because we know we could have played better.”
While Shipton received player of the match honours in last week’s loss, she isn’t getting complacent.
“It was good, but I feel like I’ve still got more to improve, and I’m excited for the upcoming game.”
“We won the first couple of games, and I think we needed that loss to learn from and use it for this next game.”
Upcoming Fixtures
Friday, 1 March | Windsor Sports Complex
- 6.30pm – Harold Matthews Cup | Steelers v Penrith Panthers
- 8.00pm – SG Ball Cup | Steelers v Penrith Panthers
Sid Parrish Park | Saturday, 2 March
- 10.30am – Lisa Fiaola Cup | Steelers v Sydney Roosters
- 12.00pm – Tarsha Gale Cup | Steelers v Sydney Roosters Indigenous Academy