Chloe Jackson scores double as Eels kick off season with huge upset over Sharks

Cronulla and Parramatta have kicked off the 2025 NRLW season, with the Eels forcing an upset at Sharks Stadium on Thursday night.

The inexperienced Eels outfit defeated the 2024 grand finalists 18-16 with stoic goal-line defence.

Eels second-rower Chloe Jackson starred with two tries, 33 tackles and 98 run metres.

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"I don't know whether it was the Sharks underestimating them or [the Sharks] just being a bit clunky," Millie Elliott told Nine's coverage post-game.

To rub salt into the Sharks' wound, bench forward Filomina Hanisi went down injured moments into the second half.

Hanisi suffered what appeared to be a serious knee injury as she was dragged down in a tackle and immediately clutched at her leg.

She was helped from the field with the club later confirming she would undergo scans.

"She's in a bit of pain. It doesn't look great, but we will send her for scans and see where she's at," coach Tony Herman told media afterwards.

Parramatta fullback Abbi Church also suffered a knee complaint in a heavy collision but remained on the field and was able to play out the match.

The first try of the season came through Jackson in the seventh minute.

Parramatta skipper Rachael Pearson put in a grubber kick which deflected off the goal post pad. As players scrambled, the Sharks were unable to clean it up and Jackson struck.

"It was ugly, but it worked," Mathew Thompson said in commentary for Nine.

Pearson was busy early with her kicking, allowing the visitors to attack.

She soon added the Eels' second try, chasing down her own grubber kick amid poor Sharks' defence before regathering the Steeden to score.

Hanging in there, Cronulla responded through Hanisi.

Watch the 2025 NRLW premiership live and free on Nine and 9Now.

Despite some brave defence from the Eels, Hanisi charged onto the ball to crash over from close range.

In a frantic finish to the first half, the Eels threatened in the final play but the Sharks stayed in the contest to trail 12-6 at the break.

Capitalising on the ill-discipline of the Sharks, Jacinta Carter was penalised for a slow peel, and Pearson stepped up to slot the penalty goal.

Despite some inspired defence from the Eels, the Sharks closed in as Nakia Davis-Welsh and Quincy Dodd scored back-to-back tries.

Georgia Hannaway kicked truly to give the Sharks the lead for the first time in the match.

The Eels' defence was headlined by a stunning chase-down tackle by Rory Owen on Dodd to save a certain try.

Jackson added her second try of the evening, burrowing over the tryline and dragging a few Sharks' players with her to secure the Eels' victory.