NRLW finals live updates: Horror start for Raiders after crusher penalty, Roosters try

Poor offload from the Raiders coming of trouble and Strange scoops it up.

Roosters go on the attack but Parker is bundled into touch by some good scramble defence, as Waterman crunches her opposing winger.

Nervous start for the Raiders, allowing the opening kick off to bounce before scrambling to regather it and avoid disaster.

Elliott stays down clutching at the back of her neck and the Roosters get a penalty.

Basham is placed on report for a crusher tackle.

“It didn’t look like there was much in it, but Millie was uncomfortable right away,” Ruan Sims said on Nine.

Roosters take advantage of the field position as Fressard dives over in the corner, polishing off a slick backline movement.

We are just moments away from kick off at Allianz Stadium.

Big game coming up with a grand final spot up for grabs.

Raiders star Zahara Temara is carrying plenty of weight on her shoulders tonight and is her side’s best hope of causing a monumental upset.

Temara believes the tenacity showed in the 6-0 win over the Tigers will hold the Raiders in good stead against the competition’s benchmark.

“We’re a pretty gritty team, defensively we’re very strong – we probably haven’t been that team in previous seasons,” she told Nine pre-game.

“We dug deep and proved that we can stay alive in that arm wrestle.”

While it’s highly unlikely, the Roosters could be farewelling two champions and pioneers of the NRLW era tonight, should they be eliminated.

Corban Baxter and Millie Elliott will both hang up the boots at season’s end, but are hoping to add another piece of silverware before retiring.

Elliott has won four premierships during her career with the Broncos, Knights and Roosters, while teammate Baxter was the inaugural captain for the Chooks.

Earlier this season, the Roosters defeated the Raiders 22-18 in what was a tight battle that pushed the premiership favourites to their limits.

In fact, it was the second-closest margin for the Chooks all season, who wiped the floor with the majority of their NRLW rivals.

The narrow 12-10 win over the Wests Tigers in round two was their closest.

Victor Radley has narrowly escaped suspension for the NRL grand final, with the Roosters star copping a $3000 fine for a hip drop tackle on Herbie Farnworth.

Radley was placed on report in the 29th minute after conceding a penalty when he tackled Farnworth from behind.

He was then penalised again for a high shot – also on Farnworth.

On Saturday morning, Radley was hit with a grade one dangerous contact charge, and he will be free to play the grand final against the winner of Sunday’s other prelim between the Panthers and Knights.

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Panthers coach Ivan Cleary insists star halfback and son Nathan is ready to go for the preliminary final against the Knights on Sunday afternoon.

But he also conceded there is a chance he might be playing with a foot fracture that could rule him out of the Rugby League World Cup.

“Nath’s ready to play. He’s obviously carrying an injury, but there wouldn’t be many players out there at the moment for any team that aren’t,” the coach said.

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The final teams have been confirmed for tonight’s NRLW prelim.

No late changes for either side. Roosters and Raiders both line up 1-17 as per program. Mia Wood and Ellie Brander are the 18th player.

Roosters team: 1. Corban Baxter 2. Brydie Parker 3. Jessica Sergis 4. Isabelle Kelly 5. Jayme Fressard 6. Jocelyn Kelleher 7. Tarryn Aiken 8. Millie Elliott 9. Keeley Nizza 10. Otesa Pule 11. Sariah Paki 12. Jasmine Strange 13. Olivia Kernick 14. Taina Naividi 15. Aliyah Nasio 16. Rima Butler 17. Amber Hall 18. Mia Wood

Raiders team: 1. Sheridan Gallagher 2. Isabella Waterman 3. Leianne Tufuga 4. Bobbi Law 5. Mackenzie Wiki 6. Krystal Blackwell 7. Zahara Temara 8. Chloe Saunders 9. Chante Temara 10. Sophie Holyman 11. Jordyn Preston 12. Charlotte Basham 13. Hollie Dodd 14. Emma Barnes 15. Grace Kemp 16. Lili Boyle 17. Grace Kukutai 18. Ellie Brander

Is this the most ridiculous betting odds in rugby league finals history?

Heading into tonight’s clash, the Roosters are incredibly short and unbackable $1.04 favourites with bookmakers, while the Raiders are $11 roughies.

That’s got to be some type of record in 118 years of the game.