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Live sport on SN this weekendWhy Roosters' aura won't faze the Raiders
Scott Bailey, AAP • September 25th, 2026 12:15 pm
Canberra pressed preliminary final opponents Sydney Roosters hard during the regular season | Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP
Canberra have vowed not to be overawed by the all-conquering Sydney Roosters, with a mid-season heart-to-heart ensuring there is no mental block against the NRLW's most dominant side.
The Roosters will enter Saturday night's preliminary final at Allianz Stadium as clear favourites, off the back of their second-straight unbeaten regular season.
The Tri-colours have now won 27 of their past 28 games dating back to mid-2024, with the only defeat being at the hands of Brisbane in last year's decider.
They also have added motivation to win back the trophy, with veterans Millie Elliott and Corban Baxter to retire at the end of this season.
The Roosters want to send Millie Elliott out fittingly with another grand final appearance | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
Not that it will faze a Raiders side led by former Roosters premiership winner Zahara Temara, after Canberra came closest to beating the Tri-colours this year with a 22-18 loss in round three.
"Sometimes the mindset of girls when they're playing these big teams or names, it actually defeats them before they even get on the field," Temara told AAP.
"We all had a heart-to-heart session before that game in round three. We opened the floor.
"We said, if there's anyone who doesn't believe in their ability and doesn't believe we can win, say something now because we'll get the girls who can.
"We are very confident in our abilities. Our staff are confident in us. We're confident in each other too and I think that's step one of beating any opponent."
Inspirational Raiders skipper Zahara Temara relishes playing against her former team | Photo: Lukas Coch/AAP
Canberra loom as the dark horse of this year's NRLW title race, with a Gold Coast team that has won 10 straight facing defending premiers Brisbane in Sunday's other preliminary final.
But the Raiders have every right to believe they have a legitimate title shot in the club's first finals campaign.
Beyond pushing the Roosters in Canberra, the Raiders handed Brisbane their biggest ever defeat in August and only went down by six to the Titans.
Suspended captain Simaima Taufa will only return for the grand final if they qualify, but Temara's experience was crucial in the way she controlled Canberra's elimination final win over Wests Tigers last week.
Raiders players and staff celebrate the elimination final win over Wests Tigers | Photo: Mark Evans/AAP
And after four years out of the finals since moving from the Roosters to the Raiders, the former Queensland playmaker is desperate to make an impact again.
"I was sitting at the Daily M's last year and I was so frustrated to not be even close to being in the finals," Temara said.
"I was there with (prop) Sophie Holyman and my manager Michelle and I said 'we're getting back there and we've got the team to do it, we've got the culture'.
"I love playing my old club and I love those Roosters girls deeply. But when we cross that white line, we're ready for battle."
