League legend Ruan Sims reveals her 'dark horse' as NRLW season kicks off
League legend Ruan Sims has declared who could sneak into premiership contention this year in the NRLW as the season begins.
Having won the last two titles, the Knights will go into this season as the favourites, but will have a new coach in Ben Jefferies who has replaced Ronald Griffiths.
The Titans, who finished runner-ups will also be in contention, but Sims believes a side that finished outside the top four last year could give the competition a shake.
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All NRLW teams at the season launch. James Brickwood
"Dark horse team to keep an eye on, I'm going to say the Sharks," she said on Wide World of Sports' NRLW Weekly.
"Keep an eye on the Sharks."
Cronulla, who Sims was an assistant coach at, were one of four new sides to the competition last year and struggled at the start of the season, winning one game and losing three.
Watch the 2024 NRLW premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.
A late season resurgence put them into sixth, four points behind the Broncos in fourth.
Sims believes sides like the Sharks will have taken some "good lessons" from last season.
"I think the teams who came in last year learned some really good lessons from coming into the competition," she said.
"Obviously I spent a bit of time with them, so I'm excited to sort of see how they go.
"Keep an eye on the Sharkies."
The former Jillaroo also went on to name her player to watch from the side, nominating former rugby sevens star Georgia Hannaway.
Georgia Hannaway pictured before her rugby sevens debut. Rhett Wyman/SMH
"She was playing BMD in Queensland at the start of the year and the Sharks have picked her up and she's a good player. She can rip a football," she said.
"That's why she's got a great pass on her, so I'm excited to see how she will go."
Hannaway, who has signed a three-year deal, will play from the bench when the Sharks play the Cowboys on Saturday.
NRLW round 1 full schedule
Thursday, 7.45pm: Sydney Roosters vs Newcastle Knights - Channel 9 and 9Now
Saturday 11am: Cronulla Sharks vs North Queensland Cowboys - 9Gem and 9Now
Saturday 12.45pm: Brisbane Broncos vs Parramatta Eels - 9Gem and 9Now
Sunday 12pm: St George Illawarra Dragons vs Gold Coast Titans - 9Now
Sunday 1.45pm: Wests Tigers vs Canberra Raiders - 9Now
